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Columbia County Parks and Recreation

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.

Recreational Areas Rules


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

All parks and recreational areas share the same set of rules:
  No Pets
  No Alcohol
  Do not attach decorations, tarps, or banners of any kind to the picnic pavilions.

Columbia County Background Check Information

Coaches, vendors and volunteers are required to pass a background check and the application cost is $15.00.
Once submitted, the background checks will return to Recreation Department and the applicant will be notified of the results (1-2 days).
Background check applications are submitted and paid for online at the National Center for Safety Initiatives (NCSI)


Southside Recreation Complex

1963 SW Bascom Norris Dr.
Lake City, FL 32025

For Tournament Play, please contact Alden Rosner, Sports Marketing Director, 386-719-1453 or email:arosner@columbiacountyfla.com

Features

  • 10 - two hundred foot baseball fields. Four are lighted. Grass infields.
  • 3 - three hundred foot baseball fields. One is lighted. Grass infields.
  • 8 - two hundred foot girl's softball fields. All are lighted. Clay infields.
  • 4 - three hundred foot adult softball fields. All are lighted. Clay infields.
  • 5 - Soccer fields of assorted sizes. Four are lighted
  • A total of 827 paved parking lot spaces in four different locations at the site.
  • Centrally located concession and restroom buildings at each four-field pod.
  • Maintenance of fields and restroom facilities during tournaments are provided at no cost to tournament promoters with a 16 team minimum registration.
  • 15 screened batting cages. Portable mounds and temporary fencing available.
  • A 12 passenger tram to assist in transporting equipment and spectators.

Rules

  • No alchohol
  • No pets
  • No skating
  • No bikes, scooters, or wheeled toys
  • No coolers allowed except for one team cooler
  • No outside food or drinks
  • No overnight camping

Alligator Lake Recreation Area

420 SE Alligator Glen
Lake City, Florida 32025
Trail Map for Alligator Lake Park
Trail Map for Alligator Lake Park

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.


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:
passive recreation opportunities:

  • 12 miles of Hiking/Biking Trails
  • Playground (Handicapped Accessible)
  • 6 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


Falling Creek Falls

953 NW Falling Creed Rd (County Rd 131)
Lake City, FL  32055

Phone: (386) 719-7545

HOURS:
Monday - Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.*

 *Winter Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.


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.

This park is an excellent example of an ongoing cooperative arrangement that benefits our public while protecting one of our most beautiful natural resources.

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

Five Points Park

Corner of Old Valdosta Hwy. and Laverne Ave.

Phone: (386) 719-7545

Five Points Park offers the following passive recreation opportunities:

  • Basketball Court
  • 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.


Columbia City Park

172 SW Winston Place, Lake City Florida 32024


Phone: (386) 719-7545

Columbia City Park offers the following passive recreation opportunities:

  • Covered area with six (6) picnic tables –1 picnic table is ADA Accessible
  • ADA Accessible Restrooms
  • Soft surface walk trail
  • Inclusive Playground Design

The County has developed this park to be ADA accessible and it's unique inclusive design is to provide quality outdoor play experiences for children of all ages and abilities.

Bethlehem Park

157 SW Bethlehem Ave.
Fort White, FL 32038
(Corner of Old Bellamy Rd and Bethlehem Ave.)

Contacts:
Neomia Brown at 352-226-1751
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 for Rentals: (386) 466-9738
Email: Richardson Board

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


Rum Island Park

Location
1614 SW Rum Island Terrace
Fort White, FL 32038
Phone numbers: 386-755-4100

Admission Fee: $5.00, per vehicle Annual Permit Passes may be purchased from Board of County Commissioners office for $25.00. Please call 386-755-4100.

Hours of Operation
Monday through Sunday
Summer: 7:30 am – 7:30 pm
Winter: 7:30 am – 5:30 pm

Facilities:

  • Restrooms, ADA
  • 3 Picnic Tables
  • 2 Charcoal Grills
  • ADA Accessible ramp into spring

Rules:

  • No alchohol
  • No pets
  • No open fires
  • No overnight camping

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Community Centers

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

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: Playground Equipment, Basketball Court, Volley Ball Court, Walk Trail, Picnic Tables

Lulu Community Center

205 SW Community Drive
Lulu, Fl.32601

Contact: Megan Croft
386-324-1077

Additional Amenities: Playground Equipment, Basketball Court, Tennis Court, Picnic Pavilion

Mason City Community Center

11110 S. US Highway 441
Lake City, Fl. 32025
Contact:
Michelle Jones, 386-623-2155 or
Valerie Ryals, 386-397-3873
Additional Amenities: Playground Equipment, Ball field, Basketball Court, Tennis Court, Picnic Pavilion

South Columbia Ft. White Community Center

17579 SW State Road 47
Fort White, Fl. 32038
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
westside community center

Westside Community Center

431 SW Birley Ave
Lake City, FL  32024
Contact:  Flossie Mcquire, 386-303-1172

Additional Amenities: 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.

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

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

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