Hernando County lies in the center of Florida's "Nature Coast," 45 minutes north of Tampa/St. Petersburg and about an hour northwest of Orlando. Graced with forests, lakes, natural springs and miles of Gulf of Mexico coastline, the county is home to several parks that offer activities to satisfy most any visitor. From fishing and picnics, to tennis and mermaid shows, Hernando County has a park for you.
Definitely one of the Florida State Park system's most family entertainment-oriented facilities, the 538-acre facility is home to a white sand beach, crystal clear springs, a theme park and a live mermaid show that has entertained park guests since 1947. Scream down Buccaneer Bay's flume ride or quietly coast the Weeki Wachee River in a canoe or kayak. Weekly animal shows featuring reptiles and birds educate and entertain audiences, while covered picnic shelters offer lunchtime respite from the mid-day sunshine.
A small park, Pine Island spreads out over a mere three acres just off of County Road 495, west of Weeki Wachee Nature Reserve. Located on an island off Florida's Gulf of Mexico coast, this park offers a secluded, undeveloped white sand beach, picnic areas complete with shelters, grills and restrooms, a playground for the kids, a volleyball court and a concession stand -- all surrounded by nothing but forest and swamp.
Delta Woods is a park designed for athletes of all types, especially tennis enthusiasts. In addition to its top-notch tennis facilities, soccer fields, volleyball courts, tetherball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, bocce ball, basketball and handball courts dot the Delta Woods Park landscape. Also an ideal for picnics, with a gazebo, pavilion, picnic areas, restrooms and playgrounds. After a picnic at one of several picnic areas, the gazebo or the pavillion, you can walk off your lunch on the one and a half mile trail while the kids scamper in the playgrounds.
Ernie Weaver is the biggest athletics park in all of Hernando County, stretching 113 acres. Facilities include six baseball/softball game fields,11 baseball/softball practice fields, two teeball fields, two soccer fields and one multi-purpose field. Beyond the sports fields, Ernie Weaver Park offers facilities for picnics and barbecuing, basketball and a playground.
Spanning 135 acres, Linda Pedersen Park is connected by boardwalk to Jenkins Creek Park. This laid-back park was designed with relaxing family get-togethers in mind. Barbecues, picnics and fishing, as well as manatee watching, are popular activities in the park. Linda Pedersen Park @ Jenkins Creek also features a swimming area complete with restrooms and showers and a 40-foot observation deck offering stunning views over the marsh and the Gulf of Mexico.
