Abess Park — Attraction in Jacksonville

I recently visited the community park in our neighborhood and I must say, it left a lasting impression on me and my family. This park truly has something for everyone, from kids looking for a fun day out to sports enthusiasts seeking some friendly competition. I am delighted to share my experience and give this park a well-deserved four-star rating!

First and foremost, the splash pad in the kids play area was an absolute hit with the children. The vibrant water features, sprinklers, and interactive elements provided endless hours of laughter and excitement. The park's commitment to safety was evident, with the splash pad offering a safe environment for children to play and cool off on those hot summer days.

The play area itself was well-designed and offered a variety of equipment suitable for children of all ages. From swings and slides to climbing structures and tunnels, there was no shortage of entertainment options. The park's thoughtful inclusion of covered bathrooms nearby was a major convenience, allowing parents to keep a watchful eye on their little ones without worrying about leaving the play area.

One of the standout features of this park was the covered gazebo area that seamlessly led into a small trail. It provided a perfect spot for families and friends to gather, relax, and enjoy picnics. The well-maintained trail through the park was a pleasant surprise, offering a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature. It was a great opportunity to stretch our legs and enjoy a leisurely walk while still being close to all the amenities.

Sports enthusiasts will be delighted to find the nearby baseball field, basketball court, and pickleball court. These additions make the park a hub of recreational activity and provide opportunities for friendly matches and tournaments. The well-maintained facilities and ample space ensured that everyone could participate without feeling overcrowded.

The overall cleanliness of the park was commendable. The park staff did an excellent job of keeping the area tidy and well-maintained. The presence of trash bins at regular intervals was appreciated, promoting a clean and litter-free environment.

While the park truly offers an incredible experience, I would love to see some additional shaded areas in the play area for those scorching summer days. It would provide a reprieve from the heat and make the play area even more enjoyable.

All in all, this community park has won me over with its fantastic amenities. From the exciting splash pad to the versatile play area and the well-kept sports facilities, there is something here for everyone. Families, sports enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike will find joy in visiting this park. I highly recommend paying a visit to experience the wonderful blend of fun, relaxation, and...

We visited Abess Park for the first time to get out dog in the dog park. The park itself seemed clean for the most part. There were a few pieces of trash by the play ground and in the parking lot. The playground looks like it has a water park feature. This is across the way from the tennis court. The parking situation was pretty good and there seems to be a decent amount of spots to park and then walk to your respective area. The football field, which is behind the playground is nice and opened, but fenced of course. The grass looks well kept and they have benches for sitting. You get to this by walking along a bridge. Not too far from the parking lot. The dog park is to the left of the football field and walking there the pathway looked clean. There are two separate dog parks, one for 25lbs or less, one for over 25lbs/more active dogs. When you go in, there is a dirt trail that goes in a circle and in the middle of that circle is an open wooded area. We did walk through with our pup and were surprised to see that they didn't clear it when they built it. There were food wrappers, shoes and many other things that I worry a dog could grab and eat or chew on. Otherwise this is a nice alternative if I don't want to drive to Dogwood or if the Ed Austin park is closed. On our way back to the parking lot, we did find broken glass on the pathway and this...

I take my dog to the dog park on most days. The trash barrels inside the dog park have not been emptied for over two months. So, everyone's dog poop has been building up since around late August (2023). I think this is a dangerous public health hazard. There are stations for new dog waste bags, but they have not been supplied since the barrels were emptied - so, two months. Also, While the baseball diamonds are pristine, the soccer field is unbelievably trashy. There are THOUSANDS of plastic bottles and other trash around the bleachers and at least 10 yards into the woods along the sidewalk. Does no one ever clean this area? I hope the people using the field are not just throwing their bottles...