Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park

500 Wonderwood Drive Jacksonville, FL 32233

Hours

Park open daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Cost

Here are costs associated with visiting Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park:

$5 per vehicle, up to six people; $1 for each additional person.
$3 for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Contact the park for cabin, camping, and RV rates.

Prices are subject to change; check their website for updates.

904-249-4700

Visit Website

About

So, you're on vacation and need a multipurpose attraction for the whole family. The challenge is that it must have a beach, a pond for fishing, bike trails, picnic tables, and not be crowded. You will find this and more at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. Before we discuss the park, let's explore its past.

Had it not been for Mayor John Delaney, who, in 1999, started the Preservation Project Jacksonville to protect Florida's natural habitats, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park would be a neighborhood or shopping district. But thankfully, he acted and it has evolved into one of the best Jacksonville Beach things to do.

Vital ecosystems could be obtained and protected with the coalition of the City of Jacksonville, the National Park Service, and the Florida State Parks. Known today as The Preservation Project Jacksonville, the partnership created the largest urban park system in the contiguous United States, with over 80,000 acres.

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is north of Atlantic Beach, encompassing over 450 acres along the ocean. The park's activities and amenities are astounding and will appeal to people of all ages and interests.

Nature and bird lovers marvel at the 20 miles of trails meandering through lush forests, along the beach, and coastal hammocks and oaks.

An off-road single-track trail attracts mountain bike cyclists. It has an easy section for beginners and challenging portions for seasoned riders with log crossings and steeper inclines.

Additional activities include fishing and kayaking in the 60-acre freshwater lake, camping and cabin rentals, swimming, and surfing.

As we stated at the beginning, Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park has everything you'll need for a fun-filled day on the First Coast. Be sure to visit!

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park: Fun Facts & Cool Features

So, who is Kathryn Abbey Hanna? In a nutshell, she was a turn-of-the-century pioneer from Chicago who fell in love with Florida's resources. She became an esteemed professor at what would become Florida State University and an accomplished author and historian. It is in her honor that the park bears her name when it opened in 1972.

A fun fact is that one of Florida's best surfing spots, The Poles, is in Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park. The natural breaker calms even the roughest waters into surfable conditions.

A wonderful feature is the 60-acre pond. Anglers will enjoy the chance to catch freshwater fish, while kayakers and paddleboarders will enjoy cruising over the calm waters. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are on-site, so you don't have to hassle transporting yours.

The park is close to the quaint Village of Mayport on the St. James River. This sleepy fishing town is home to a quintessential fish camp, Singleton's Seafood Shack. The popular eatery offers stunning sunsets on its expansive rear deck, which has views of the nearby Atlantic.

When the kids tire of playing in the sand and surf, head to the splash playground. The restrooms and picnic facilities add to the enjoyment of being outdoors, and the park's proximity to Atlantic Beach eateries like Simply Tasty Thai offers plenty of dining options.

So pack the cooler with drinks, grab the sunscreen, and head to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, one of the best Jacksonville Beaches things to do!

Getting There

Here are step-by-step driving directions to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park from Jacksonville:

Head east on E State St toward N Liberty St.
Merge onto I-95 N via the ramp to Savannah.
Take exit 362A onto I-295 E toward Blount Island.
Use the right two lanes to exit 48 for FL-10/Atlantic Blvd.
Keep right to stay on FL-10 E/Atlantic Blvd, following signs for Atlantic Beach.
Turn left onto Mayport Rd.
Turn right onto Wonderwood Dr.
Continue straight as Wonderwood Dr turns into Seminole Rd.
Turn right onto Oceanfront Park Drive.
Address: 500 Wonderwood Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32233.

Local Tips

Arrive early to beat the heat and crowds.
Special events and programs are on the website.
Check the weather and tide schedule before visiting.
Rent a bike at a nearby shop if you want to explore the trails.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a recommended one-day itinerary in Jacksonville Beaches?

Start the day off along 3rd St. at Jax Beach Brunch Haus for everything from basic breakfast favorites to hearty brunch options and tasty brunch-tails that go way beyond mere mimosas. From JBBH it’s a short hop over to the Jacksonville Beach Golf Course for those looking to spend a day on the greens.

On the north side of 3rd St., step into Maple Street Biscuit Co. for coffee and their self-proclaimed biscuits that wow. After breakfast, walk to Jacksonville Beach’s extended pier. Enjoy a stroll out over the Atlantic Ocean, or watch anglers casting their fishing lines. This is a great way to enjoy fishing in the area, especially if you don’t have enough time to go out on a boat. If surfing is more your style, be sure to hit the waves. Atlantic Beach to the north is more apt for novice surfers, while swells near the Jacksonville Beach Pier can be more challenging as this is the area’s high-tide break.

For lunch, savor the region’s fresh seafood as restaurants in Jacksonville and across the First Coast proudly serve fresh Mayport shrimp. Take in the view at Dockside Seafood restaurant to satisfy your shrimp cravings. Or, try Palm Valley Fish Camp in Ponte Vedra south of Jacksonville Beach after visiting the famed TPC Sawgrass golf course.

Many people who visit Jacksonville Beach are simply asking, where can I go to relax? Consider Neptune Beach to the north, a less crowded beach with calmer waves and plenty of space to spread out. A stroll through Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park is also a calm way to spend the day. If visiting downtown Jacksonville, the Riverwalk along St. John’s River provides ample walking space and benches to relax on while enjoying the view.

Wrap up the evening in Jacksonville Beach with the warm and elegant setting of Eleven South. This award-winning restaurant provides an exquisite fine dining experience to top off your day. For more casual fare, stop by TacoLu for fresh baja tacos and tequila with the essence of Florida.

Why is Jacksonville known as the First Coast?

People often refer to this part of northern Florida hugging the Atlantic Ocean as the “First Coast” (sometimes called the “Historic Coast”). Today, the First Coast moniker has come to represent it as the first coast in Florida that tourists visit when traveling southbound along the Atlantic seaboard. The name initially represented this area as the first part of Florida colonized by Europeans in the 16th century. Both the French and the Spanish settled into this part of northern Florida on lands of the Mocama and the Timucua. Further down the coast, St. Augustine was Florida’s first European settlement.

What are the biggest main events around Jacksonville Beach?

Jacksonville Beach welcomes visitors throughout the year to enjoy its wonderful weather and prime events. Each March, The Players Championship attracts golf aficionados from across the globe to our beckoning beaches.TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra has been home to The Players Championship of the PGA Tour since 1982.

If pigskin is more your style, Jacksonville is home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, so it’s easy to catch a game in season. Another highlight, though up in the sky over Jacksonville’s Naval Air Station, is the NAS Jax Air Show. Birthplace of the Blue Angels, the NAS Jax Air Show generally takes place mid-October each year (check the event site for upcoming dates and program changes).

Back on land, or rather in the waves, the Super Girl Surf Pro also hits Jacksonville Beach in the fall. Held at the Jacksonville Beach Pier, this is the world’s largest women’s surf, lifestyle, and music festival.

When your vacation plans include an adventure to Jacksonville Beach, you can be certain there’ll be plenty to see and do!