Recreation the refreshment of body and mind......that will enhance the quality of life for the diverse population of Hernando County - by strengthening communities, responding to community challenges, enabling all residents to participate in lifelong learning and recreation opportunities, and to provide methods to assist in sustaining a healthy and positive lifestyle. We strive to provide all County children, youth, adults and seniors affordable opportunities for recreational participation, skill development, leisure enrichment, and the development of a personal leisure philosophy through a variety of specially designed recreation activities. By offering more than 100 programs at over 20 facilities throughout the county, there is absolutely something for everyone. Programs range from Acting/ Drama, Martial Arts, Music, Dance, Painting, Drawing, Pre-School to school age programs, Aerobics, and Stained Glass. We provide the residents of Hernando County a variety of organized sports and athletic programs through the coordination of services with athletic councils and other community athletic organizations, including organized softball for men, women, co-ed, church groups and seniors. Staff schedules and reserves the use of all county parks and recreation facilities. We have special events throughout the year, including the Halloween Bash in October, a Craft Fair Thanksgiving weekend, and more, drawing visitors from outside the county to our beautifully maintained parks. We serve as an information source for a variety of recreational opportunities available in the area. We also work to enhance community health awareness and to assist our citizens in maintaining a healthy, socially active lifestyle. The Little Rock Cannery is Hernando County s self help facility for the preparation and preservation of fruits, vegetables, and meats. Whether you have been canning for years or are just beginning, you ll find the equipment, knowledge and help available at the Cannery that will make your work easier and a lot more fun. HERNANDO COUNTY CLEARWATER ST. PETERSBURG 19 SARASOTA 19 75 41 TAMPA 301 GAINESVILLE OCALA ORLANDO The Nature Coast: Centrally located on the West Coast of Florida, Hernando County is bordered on the west by the Gulf of Mexico and the Withlacoochee River on the east. 35 miles north of Tampa, it is easily reached by the Suncoast Parkway. From the rolling hills of pastures, the Withlacoochee State Forest, and the Withlacoochee River on the eastern side of the county to the salt waters of the Gulf, a recreational center for boaters, fishermen and swimmers - residents and visitors alike will find a wealth of recreational opportunities available to them in Hernando County. For additional information contact: Hernando County Parks and Recreation Administration Charles Pat Fagan, Director (352) 754-4027 www.co.hernando.fl.us/parks_rec/parks Hernando County Recreation Department (352) 754-4031 www.co.hernando.fl.us/parks_rec/recreation Hernando County Tourist Development (352) 754-4580 www.co.hernando.fl.us/tourdev Little Rock Cannery (352) 540-4306 www.co.hernando.fl.us/parks_rec/recreation 301 50 4
Water Parks: Kids will love the beach at Pine Island, located on the Gulf of Mexico. Spend time swimming,. sunbathing, birdwatching or looking for sea turtles and dolphins. Visit Willy s Tropical Breeze and relax while enjoying great food and refreshments. Everyone will appreciate the spectacular sunsets! If fresh water is more your style, try the beach at Rogers Park on the Weeki Wachee River, where you can swim, canoe, fish, launch a boat, or maybe even spot a manatee! If you like fishing off a bank and enjoying nature, then spend time at Hernando Beach Park. This park offers activities for the young and the young at heart. Try climbing the fortyfoot-high observation tower for a panoramic view of the marsh and look out over the Gulf of Mexico. Relax and sit on the bank where you can fish while the kids play on the playground. Chances are good you will be able to catch a glimpse of manatees here. If you are looking for a great place for a family reunion, this is the place to go. Pedersen Park is being developed as an aquatic park in the Weeki Wachee Preserve, lying in the southwest corner of Hernando County. The Preserve is a 6,000 acre tract of land, owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, rich in ecological diversity and for the protection of sensitive wetland habitats and marshes. A beach and swimming area will be created in deep freshwater quarry lakes which were previously used for mining pits. Activities will include swimming, picnicking, fishing, boating, bicycling, day hiking and nature appreciation. When complete, this park will be the latest crown jewel in Hernando County s park system. Fishing and Boating: Whether your pleasure is salt water or fresh water, canoeing or power boating, Hernando County has much to offer. You can canoe on the beautiful Weeki Wachee River and see the gentle manatees as they lazily swim along, or take a tour of the State Forest on the Withlacoochee River. If you prefer salt water, then take a trip out to our reefs where you can fish for grouper, red snapper, hog fish, and mangrove snapper. If you enjoy diving, be sure to check out Bendickson Tank Reef where there are 10 U.S. Army tanks set out within a 1/4 mile radius. If you like freshwater bass fishing, then put your boat in at Lake Lindsey Boat Ramp, or fish for catfish and perch in this natural spring-fed lake. Jenkins Creek Fishing Pier and Boat Launch has preserved the natural resources found existing on the site - natural freshwater springs, man-made canals, coastal marshes, uplands, and waterways leading to the Gulf of Mexico. At Nobleton Wayside and Lake Townsen Boat Ramps, you can launch your canoe for a ride on the winding Withlacoochee River. The Withlacoochee River, which means crooked river, flows through 13 miles of the Withlacoochee State Forest. A perfect photo opportunity for the camera and nature buff. Looking for a fun-filled day on the water? Try Bayport Boat Ramp or Hernando Beach Boat Ramp, where you can launch your boat and head out to the Gulf of Mexico. Take a trip out to one of Hernando County s four reefs - dive, snorkel, fish for grouper - or spend the day on the water relaxing. Bayport Fishing Pier is a place where you can fish and crab all day long. Pack a picnic lunch and relax at the covered picnic tables, or take time to catch the breathtaking view of the sun sinking into the Gulf of Mexico. Community Parks: How about a walk in the park or a good game of tennis! Take time out of your busy schedule to check out Hernando County s Community Parks. If your pleasure is a good rollicking game of basketball or trying to win game, set and match on the tennis courts, your community parks have an abundance of activities to keep you fit. If tennis is your game, then grab a racket and head for Delta Woods Park. You can walk on the 1/2 mile trail or spend time playing volleyball, basketball or tennis. Whatever your favorite sport, this park has something for everyone. Ridge Manor Community Park, located in the heart of Ridge Manor, is the place to go and walk off the day s stress. While the kids are playing ball or running around on the playground, go for a walk or sit and relax in the gazebo. You can also grab some friends and family and have a rousing game of volleyball. Tired of the day-to-day grind of city life? Grab the kids, gloves, and basketball and head out to Kennedy Park, located off State Road 50 in Brooksville. Pack your food and have lunch on the covered picnic tables while you are relaxing between games. Adults and kids of all ages will find something to do, from the playground for the little ones to the ballfields for the whole family. Be sure and spend your next family outing at Kennedy Park.
Sports Complexes: The versatility of Hernando County s sports facilities is enough to please any sports enthusiast, from a seasoned veteran to the beginning player. We offer a multitude of opportunities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy the sport of your choice. If you prefer team play, check out our soccer and football leagues. If baseball is your favorite past time, we offer tee-ball, little league, and senior softball. If you enjoy your time on the courts, then take a look at our tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts. For less strenuous sports, try your hand at horseshoes, bocce ball or shuffleboard. Hernando County provides three major parks offering organized sports leagues for football, baseball and soccer. Games are played night and day throughout the week. Ernie Wever Youth Park is Hernando County s largest sports complex with 6 baseball/ softball fields and 2 tee-ball fields. The park also offers 2 soccer fields, 1 multi-purpose game field and 11 baseball/ softball practice fields. There is plenty of parking so come out and watch your favorite team play. Do you enjoy watching good softball? If so, stop at Veterans Memorial Park and watch the softball games. From everyday working people to senior citizens, it is easy to enjoy yourself at this park. While you are there, take time to go for a walk on the 1/2 mile V.F.W. Trail that circles the park. This trail was named as part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the founding, nationwide, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. One of Hernando County s newest multi-functional sports complexes, Anderson Snow Park, has become a major sports complex for baseball and soccer. This park has 6 soccer fields and 6 ball fields, and is the home of the winners of the Dixie Youth League District Baseball Tournaments. From the park you can access the Suncoast Bike Trail along the Suncoast Parkway, an important link in the regional bicycle network. Hiking and Nature Appreciation: If you are looking for a little peace and serenity, Hernando County offers a variety of places to walk and hike and enjoy the natural beauty of the area and it s native wildlife. Whether you are looking for photo opportunities, birdwatching, hiking or nature walks, you will find your choice of places to explore and enjoy the diverse ecosystem and natural beauty to be found in our parks. Nature/interpretive trails and the varieties of native vegetation, birds, animals, etc. provide an educational environment in which the public is afforded an opportunity to experience an awareness, appreciation and enjoyment of Hernando County s unique natural resources. Opportunities range from short walking trails in neighborhood parks such as Amity Trails, to exercise trails in community parks, to hiking trails in large regional parks, to expansive preserves designated to protect natural open areas. Cypress Lakes Preserve is a great place for hiking buffs. With 324 acres and approximately 600' of frontage on the Withlacoochee River, you can enjoy the peace and tranquility of the walking and hiking trails. You will appreciate the solitude of Fickett Hammock Preserve, located in the northwest part of the county, where you can observe nature on 149 acres in a virtually undisturbed setting. Lake Townsen Regional Park offers hiking, jogging, biking and horseback riding trails in a densely wooded area, bounded by the State Forest to the north and the Withlacoochee River on the east. Here you can observe the river, cypress swamp, and fish and marine life. The park also provides access to the Withlacoochee State Trail for walking, bicycling, skating and horseback riding. Located on 375 acres in the eastern part of the county, this park has something for everyone - baseball, basketball, volleyball, horseshoes, a fishing pier/boat ramp, and picnic areas, playground, hiking trails and horseback riding trails.
Welcome to Hernando County Parks: Hernando County offers an impressive park system, with more than 20 developed parks on 340 acres and 945 acres of open space. The various, well-maintained county parks support a wide array of recreational activities, from passive casual strolling to active sports such as baseball, soccer, boating and swimming. Parks range from those with Gulf and beach access and boat launches in the west, to community parks throughout the county offering activities for citizens of all ages, to a central district park hosting baseball and soccer events, to a regional park with horseback riding trails, to river access facilities on the Withlacoochee River on the east. Mission Statement: The Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to providing a quality park system that can be enjoyed by all citizens. We strive to offer residents and visitors opportunities for recreation and improvement of physical and mental wellbeing, through programs and services that enhance their quality of life. Our primary goal is to provide safe, clean and functional parks and recreation facilities, and to assist in the planning and development of new and improved facilities to meet the continued growth within the county. We are committed to fulfilling our mission through visionary leadership, individual dedication, and the responsible use of available resources.
Hernando County Parks and Recreation Department 20 North Main Street, Room 260 Brooksville, FL 34601