Cofrin Nature Park — Attraction in Gainesville

1st time here won't be back! DON'T go ALONE if you're female... Got there shortly after the park opened on a Sunday. Several SUVs, Cars, Van's all with engines running A/C on & 1 or more people sleeping inside. 1 of the non-sleeping occupants wouldn't stop staring at me, which made me feel very uncomfortable. As I proceeded to the trail, that same person, still staring, got out of their vehicle and followed me to the trail head near the playground before returning to their vehicle. I did not feel safe & was concerned about returning to my vehicle & couldn't enjoy the trails. Upon returning, there were several more vehicles parked, running with occupants. The trails & suicide memorial were lovely if you feel safe enough to get to them. Ladies, please...

I usually like to keep this a great surprise for people, but since this is a review I will reveal to you that this place has a great little garden for suicide survivors and at risk people. The plants are not the best (and they aren't supposed to be). The attraction to this park are for the stone work and quiet benches. It's a great place to remember loved ones. You can hang their name on the trees. You access it by walking to the entrance of the hiking trail. The trail is beautiful but has roots on the ground and in some seasons it has mosquitoes. However. Access to the garden is flat and accessible. The park has a lot of picnic tables and a children's playground. There are restrooms and some sport courts. Oh, yeah. The trail is...

Small but sweet, Cofrin Nature Park is located in the heart of urbanized west Gainesville, only about a mile from the Oaks Mall, near the corner of 8th Ave and Newberry road and about 1-1 1/2 miles from I-75. I believe the land for the park was donated by a local family, the Cofrin’s. Cofrin Nature Park features a half-mile long hiking trail, tennis court, playground and pavilion. Once a horse farm, much of this park is returning to forest through natural succession. Large hardwood trees are found in the forest along picturesque Beville Heights Creek, and wetlands on the slopes above the creek support lush growths of ferns and wildflowers. Bottom line? A nice way to spend a few hours with or...