Blue Cypress Park

Park Overview

Found in the Arlington neighborhood of Jacksonville, Florida, Blue Cypress Park spreads across a generous 119.8 acres of land. This versatile park brings together sports facilities, natural spaces, and leisure options that appeal to everyone from soccer moms to fishing enthusiasts and nature photographers. It's one of those rare places where you can hit golf balls in the morning and spot wildlife in the afternoon.

History

The park has quite the transformation story. Once an 18-hole golf course serving the Edenfield River Estates development, Blue Cypress eventually evolved with environmental concerns in mind. The solution? Scale back to a 9-hole course and dedicate the remaining land to natural, public outdoor recreation. Over recent years, the park has undergone renovations that have enhanced what it offers.

Golf Facilities

Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the 9-hole, par 36 course stretching 3,229 yards from the longest tees. After its makeover, the course reopened with freshly resurfaced tees, greens, fairways, and a driving range. If you're new to golf or just play for fun rather than competition, you'll appreciate the straightforward layout. This is a good course for a casual round without the intimidation factor of larger courses.

Indigo Golf Partners oversees the golf facilities, ensuring they remain in top condition.

Natural Beauty

The park is situated near the St. Johns River, which you can view from the fishing pier and boardwalk completed in 2001. This location is part of the St. Johns River headwaters.

If you're looking to stretch your legs, the 1.4-mile walking trail winds through shady wooded sections before revealing breathtaking river vistas. Bird watchers, bring your binoculars! You might catch sight of bald eagles perched in the canopy near the boardwalk. The landscape includes salt marshes and stands of magnolia and hickory trees along the trails.

Recreational Amenities

The park offers several athletic options. Sports enthusiasts can take advantage of a large turf multi-sport field that hosts soccer and football games, several tennis courts, and basketball courts for pickup games. The newly added pickleball courts have quickly become a community favorite, with regular players who are generally happy to welcome newcomers into the fold.

The community center, formerly the golf course clubhouse, acts as a hub for local activities and is available for event rentals. Dog owners will appreciate the dog park where their four-legged friends can burn off energy, with waste bags conveniently provided (please use them!).

Playgrounds and Family Areas

Kids can burn off energy at the newly built playground featuring modern equipment, though it's worth noting it tends to better serve older children rather than the toddler crowd. For family gatherings, you'll find multiple picnic areas with plenty of shade trees to keep you cool on those hot Florida days.

The park offers abundant open green spaces excellent for kite flying, spreading out a picnic blanket, or just lounging with a good book. If you visit on weekends, especially Sundays, you might find a lively atmosphere with food vendors and soccer matches creating a community festival vibe.

Fishing and Water Access

Anglers can cast a line from the fishing pier that extends into the St. Johns River. If you prefer to be on the water rather than beside it, there's a boat ramp for launching your vessel. Just note that strong currents can occur near the fishing pier, so it's best to stay alert and be careful, especially with children.

Recent Additions

Among the newest features is an ADA accessible swimming pool, adding yet another recreational option to this already diverse park. Other fresh improvements include the popular new pickleball courts and the artificial turf field that's become a go-to spot for football and soccer enthusiasts.

With its blend of natural riverside beauty and well-maintained recreational facilities, Blue Cypress Park offers both natural riverside areas and recreational facilities for the Jacksonville community.