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Recreational Areas

Rules For Recreational Areas

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.
Some parks may have additional rules.

Alligator Lake Recreation Area

A bronze statue of Chief Alligator

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:

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: email.

Hours

Tuesday - Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.*
Monday - CLOSED
*Winter Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
*Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day

Features

  • 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>


Bethlehem Park

Location

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

Hours

Sun up to sun down.

Features

  • Basketball Court
  • Restrooms
  • Playground
  • 1 Picnic Pavilion
  • Softball Field


Falling Creek Falls

Falling creek walkway and waterfall

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.

Hours

Monday - Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.*
*Winter Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
*Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day

Features

  • Elevated Boardwalk to the Falls
  • Grassed parking area
  • Three Picnic Pavillions
  • Walking Trail
  • Restroom
  • Playground


Columbia City Park

Columbia City Park

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.

Hours

Monday - Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.*
*Winter Hours: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Features

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


Five Points Park

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.

Location

509 NW Johnson St
Lake City, FL 32055

Corner of Old Valdosta Hwy. and Laverne Ave.


Phone: (386) 719-7545

Hours

Sun up to sun down.

Features

  • Basketball Court
  • Playground equipment


Rum Island Park

Rum Island Park

Hours

Park Hours: Monday – Sunday
Summer: 7:30 am – 7:30 pm
Winter: 8:00 am – 5:30 pm
*Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day

Rules

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

Features

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

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.


Southside Recreational Complex

The Southside Complex Engineering Layout

Location

Southside Recreational Complex
1963 SW Bascom Norris Dr.
Lake City, Fl. 32025


For Tournament Play, please contact Alden Rosner, Sports Marketing Director at 386-719-1453 or email

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

Features

  • Tournament Ready
  • 13 Baseball Fields
  • 12 Softball Fields
  • 15 Batting Cages
  • 7 Soccer Fields
  • 846 Paved Parking Lots
  • Concessions and Restroom Buildings
  • Available Maintenance Staff

Baseball

  • 10 two hundred foot baseball fields. Four are lighted.
  • 3 three hundred foot baseball fields. One is lighted.
  • 15 screened batting cages.
  • * Maintenance of fields and restroom facilities during tournaments are provided at no cost to tournament promoters with a 24 team minimum registration.

Softball

  • 8 two hundred foot girls softball fields. All are lighted.
  • 4 three hundred foot adult softball fields. All are lighted.
  • 15 screened batting cages.
  • * Maintenance of fields and restroom facilities during tournaments are provided at no cost to tournament promoters with a 24 team minimum registration.

Soccer

  • 7 soccer fields of assorted sizes. Five are lighted
  • * Maintenance of fields and restroom facilities during tournaments are provided at no cost to tournament promoters with a 24 team minimum registration.