Columbia County is dedicated to providing quality recreation opportunities for our residents and visitors.

Below are listings of parks that offer various passive recreation opportunities, as well as information on our community centers, boat ramps and the joint County-City active recreation programs.

The Various Recreational Areas are located throughout the area provide wholesome activities for fitness and life enrichment.

Recreational Areas

Alligator Lake Recreation Area 420 SE Alligator Glen Lake City, Florida 32025

Office - (386) 719-7545 HOURS: Tuesday – Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.* Monday – CLOSED *Winter Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 12 miles of Hiking/Biking Trails Playground (Handicapped Accessible) 5 Covered Picnic Pavilions (1st come 1st served) Ponderosa Pavilion (reservations only) Nature Observation Sand Volleyball Court Horseshoe Pit Fishing Canoe Trails Canoe Launch ADA restrooms Additionally, the Ponderosa Pavilion is available for special events. For more information about reservations and rental charges for the facility, please contact the Landscape & Parks office, 386-719-7545 or by email at: clint_pittman@columbiacountyfla.com Columbia County purchased the Alligator Lake Recreation Area through the Florida Preservation 2000 grant program in 1997. Approximately 1000 acres of green space and wetlands, the area provides the following passive recreation opportunities:

Falling Creek Falls Phone (Clint Pittman): (386) 719-7545 HOURS: Open year round from 8 a.m. to dark Located on County Road 131 – just north of the 441/I10 interchange, Falling Creek Falls was opened October 2001. A joint project between the Suwannee River Water Management District and Columbia County, the property was purchased from the Parker & Hogan Families to protect and preserve the Falls for present and future generations. The Falling Creek Falls park provides the following recreation opportunities: Elevated Boardwalk to the Falls Grassed parking area Three Picnic Pavillions Walking Trail Restroom Playground This park is an excellent example of an ongoing cooperative arrangement that benefits our public while protecting one of our most beautiful natural resources.

Five Points Park Corner of Old Valdosta Hwy. and Laverne Ave. Phone (Clint Pittman): (386) 719-7545 Five Points Park offers the following passive recreation opportunities: Basketball Court Picnic Pavilion Playground equipment The County has developed this park on property owned by the Columbia County School System, to provide residents and visitors to the Five Points community with a neighborhood recreation area.

Bethlehem Park 157 SW Bethlehem Ave. Fort White, FL 32038 (Corner of Old Bellamy Rd and Bethlehem Ave.) Contacts: Neomia Brown at 386-438-4340 Harvey McCloud at 386-454-2526 Bethlehem Park offers the following passive recreation opportunities: Basketball Court Restrooms Playground 1 Picnic Pavilion Softball Field

Richardson Community Center Location 255 NE Coach Anders Lane Lake City, Florida 32055 Phone numbers: 386-754-7095, 386-754-7096, fax 386-754-7097 Hours of Operation Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Summer Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Facilities: 1 Indoor Air-Conditioned Gymnasium with lockerooms/restrooms 1 Conference Room 1 Concessions Room 1 all purpose meeting room 1 Cafeteria 1 Kitchen (oven, stove, refrigerator, microwave, three compartment sink) 1 regulation softball field 8 outdoor basketball courts 1 tennis court 3 covered picnic tables 1 youth playground with equipment

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Community Centers

Community centers are located throughout the county and make excellent opportunities for families to hold reunions and gatherings.

Community Centers
	Deep Creek Community Center 11934 N. US Highway 441 Lake City, Fl. 32055 Phone: 386-719-7568 Contact: Colby Law at 386-755-6975 (Milton's Grocery Store) Additional Amenities: Picnic Tables, Swings
	Lulu Community Center 205 SW Community Drive Lulu, Fl.32601 Phone: 386-758-2136 Contact: Renee Markham at 386-752-7499 Additional Amenities: Basketball Court
	Mason City Community Center 11110 S. US Highway 441 Lake City, Fl. 32025 Phone: 386-758-1394 Contact: Margie Markham at 386-752-1494 Additional Amenities: Ballfield, Basketball Court, Covered Picnic Pavilion, Playground equipment
	South Columbia – Ft. White Community Center 17579 SW State Road 47 Fort White, Fl. 32038 Phone: 386-497-3089 Contact: Ft. White Town Hall at 386-497-2321 Additional Amenities: Ballfields, Basketball Court, Tennis Court, Playground equipment
	Springville Community Center 3710 NW Suwannee Valley Road Lake City, Fl. 32055 Phone: 386-752-5484 Contact: Fred McIntosh at 386-752-4205 Contact: Gloria McIntosh at 386-755-1099 Additional Amenities: Basketball Court, Picnic Pavilion, Playground equipment
	Winfield Community Center & Recreation Area 1324 NW Winfield St. Lake City, Fl. 32055 Phone: 719-7509 Contact: Willy B. Allen at 386-397-0917 or Rentz Galloway at 386-752-5643 Additional Amenities:Ballfield, Basketball, Tennis Court, 2 covered picnic pavilions, Playground equipment, Nature Trail

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Boat Ramps

Access to the many water bodies and rivers of our area, the County maintains six boat ramps for the citizens of Columbia County and visitors to our area. Currently, there are no restroom facilities or other recreational amenities at these locations.

• Alligator Lake South – South Marion Avenue

• Bible Camp Road – Off 441/41 South at O’Leno Road

• Cone Bridge – US 441 North

• Hollingsworth Bluff – Off US 47 South at SW Hollingsworth Street

• Rum Island – Off County Road 138 South of Ft. White

• River Rise – US Highway 27 between Ft. White and High Springs

To report problems/request repairs, please contact the Columbia County Public Works Department at (386) 758-1019.

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Joint County – City Recreation Department

Columbia County and the City of Lake City, through an inter-local agreement provide various recreation services to the residents of the County. The joint County – City Recreation Department provides:

• Maintenance to 14 softball fields, 9 soccer fields, 7 baseball fields, 4 T-ball fields, 1 basketball gymnasium, 8 outdoor basketball courts, 1 football field, 6 parks and playgrounds, 4 community centers, 1 Girls Club, 6 tennis courts, 6 racquetball courts.

• Summer Programs for children with field trips and structured activities each day.

• Sponsor of the Blue-Grey Fun Run, Hog Wild-Pig Crazy Barbecue, Trick or Treat Halloween Football Night Festival.

• Adult Programs including Slow-Pitch Softball leagues and Flag Football.

• Youth Programs that include: Girls Club after school program and summer program, Tackle Football league for boys and girls ages 8-13, T-Ball league for ages 5-7, Summer Fast Pitch league for girls 8-13, Girls Basketball Camp, Gateway Classic Girls Basketball Tournament.

For further information regarding the City Recreation Department, please contact Roger Little at (386) 758-5427.

For further information regarding the County Recreation Department, please contact Clint Pittman at (386) 719-7545.

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