Spring is upon us, and that means summer is just around the corner; time to get out of the house and enjoy the weather. It’s time for barbecues, sunblock and picnics! In my opinion, picnics are one of the best ways to get outside and have fun with family and friends. Read on for the best picnic spots in Inverness, and other cities and towns in Citrus county Florida including: Beverly Hills, Citrus Springs, Crystal River, Dunnellon, Floral City, Hernando, Homosassa, Homosassa Springs, Inverness, and Lecanto.
What is a picnic? History of:
According to wikipedia, “a picnic can be defined simply as a pleasure excursion at which a meal is eaten outdoors ( al fresco or en plein air ), ideally taking place in a beautiful landscape such as a park, beside a lake or with an interesting view and possibly at a public event such as before an open air theatre performance, and usually in summer.” And according to food historians at foodtimeline, they say, “picnics evolved from the elaborate traditions of move-able outdoor feasts enjoyed by the wealthy. Medieval hunting feasts, Renaissance-era country banquets, and Victorian garden parties laid the foundation for today’s leisurely repast. Picnics, as we Americans know them today, date to the middle of the 19th century.” And the Oxford English Dictionary gives this definition of a picnic as, “Picnic. Originally, A fashionable social entertainment in which each person present contributed a share of the provisions; now, A pleasure party including an excursion to some spot in the country where all partake of a repast out of doors: the participants may bring with them individually the viands and means of entertainment, or the whole may be provided by some one who ‘gives the picnic’. ”
If you’re in the Citrus county area, take a look below at some of the best picnic spots around.
Floral Park;
Floral Park, home of the annual Floral City Strawberry Festival , (2011 Strawberry Festival is from March 1st–6th, 6am to 9pm, read more about it here ) is nestled under 40 gorgeous acres of giant live oaks and mature pines, wide open landscape, and rolling hills, and is the perfect place for a picnic, or a barbecue grill-out. It’s one of my favorite places to go and enjoy the wonderful Florida weather outdoors. The park’s other amenities include; two pavilions with picnic tables, a basketball court, dog walking on the trails, four horseshoe pits, a beautiful jogging and walking trail, a lightning detector, a full 18-hole disc golf course ( click for a review of this course), a great playground, racquetball court, restrooms, six shuffleboard courts, soccer field, softball field, two tennis courts, volleyball, a pay phone, and plenty of parking. The picnic pavilions may be reserved for free. To reserve a pavilion click here . Floral Park is located about 4.5 miles south of the only light in Floral City, at; 9530 S. Parkside Ave., Floral City, Fl. 34436.
Wallace Brooks Park;
Wallace Brooks Park is another beautiful park located right on the banks of Lake Tsala Apopka chain of lakes, at the end of Dampier St. just south of central downtown. It borders on the Withalacoochee State Trail, so not only is it a great picnic spot, but a great place for bicyclists and walkers to begin their exploration and enjoyment of the natural serenity of the trail. While it’s only a half acre parcel, Wallace Brooks Park offers a lot of different activities that can be enjoyed by all ages. Take the family and enjoy a picnic lunch while the kids enjoy the playground. Treat yourself to a game of shuffleboard or just sit back and relax, enjoying the lake view. For the land bound fisherman, this is a great spot to drop a line and try your luck. Facilities include playground equipment, shuffleboard courts, picnic tables and grills, a pedestrian loop, a fishing pier, a bike rack, drinking fountains, benches, and restroom facilities.
Liberty Park;
Liberty Park, completed in 2002, is located within walking distance from downtown Inverness, on the banks of beautiful Lake Henderson, at 286 N. Apopka Avenue, Inverness, FL offering visitors the use of walkways, two picnic pavilions, tables, grills, benches and sand volleyball courts. View map. You can also launch your kayak or canoe from the banks of the lovely Lake Henderson and have a picnic afterwards. The pavilions may be reserved through the Parks and Recreation Department .(Electric service is also available for approved activities for $10 per outlet required. To make a reservation, click here. ) The park is also host to two popular City-sponsored events; the Patriotic Evening on July 3, and the Great American Cooter Festival in October. Park hours are from sunrise to sunset, seven days a week.
Cooter Pond Linear Park;
Another great spot for a picnic is Inverness’s newest park addition — Cooter Pond Linear Park — where visitors can enjoy nature at its best. The park features a boardwalk, scenic overlooks of the pond and fountain, children’s activities and picnic areas, and is within walking distance of downtown.
Bryant Park;
Bryant Park is a quaint little place to have a picnic and is located within walking distance of Withlacoochee Technical Institute. It’s a neighborhood park with playground equipment for children with picnic tables under the shade of trees for a cooler place to read a book or eat lunch. Location of Bryant Park; 1611 Tuttle Street, Inverness, FL 34452 . View map
Hillcrest Park;
The city of Inverness website says about Hillcrest Park, “this park could be considered one of the best kept secrets in the city. Located off the banks of Little Lake Henderson, this neighborhood park offers a scenic view of the Tsala Apopka chain of lakes. It is located in a quiet residential area off Turner Camp Road. There is a “lagoon” with an old swinging rope when the water below used to be a little deeper. The rope now sways in the gentle breezes that rustle the leaves of the surrounding oak and cypress trees.” The overhead canopy offers a shaded retreat from the hot summer months, and is perfect for reading that favorite novel, or just enjoying the view. With its gently sloping banks, a canoe or kayak could easily be put in here. Besides a great view of the chain of lakes, Hillcrest Park offers lakefront picnic tables, grills and bank fishing. Open sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Located at; 301 Hunting Lodge Drive, Inverness, FL 34453.
Whispering Pines Park;
This one is another one of my favorites as there is not only a great picnic facility, but tons of fun for the whole family. City of Inverness website says, “Looking for a park with free admission and fun for the whole family? You need not look any further than Whispering Pines Park. This 290-acre park complex, located only minutes from downtown and nestled among pine and hardwood trees, boasts active recreation in a pristine setting.” Located off Forest Drive, the park is open 7 days a week, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Hours are 7:00am to 10:00pm daily. Facilities for Outdoor sports enthusiasts include: tennis, racquetball and basketball courts, athletic fields and a disc golf course, and nature trails wind throughout the complex for the walking or hiking aficionados. Many picnic tables are located throughout the picnic area, as well as children’s playground, and Puddle in the Pines / water playground. For large parties a group picnic area is available that includes, grills, tables and a covered pavilion. See website for times and prices for reserving the pavilions, or contact the Whispering Pines Park Office by calling (352)-726-3913 for availability and to make reservations. Also, in Whispering Pines Park is a 25-meter junior olympic size pool, and a shallow water wading pool, as well as the new children’s water playground, “Puddle in the Pines”. This new park amenity features a zero depth water playground with various spray features that will entertain children for hours. Other new amenities in the area include two covered pavilions with picnic tables, several benches and a children’s trail. The green shade shelter, which is down the hill from the water playground is available to reserve for private parties.This area of the park was developed to enhance existing features and serve parents with children of multiple ages offering visibility and access. View the Whispering Pines Park Map.
Wayside Park;
An adorable little park ‘by the wayside’ is located east of downtown Inverness. Wayside Park is a perfect spot for a picnic, and has picnic tables and grills for a scenic picnic, or a gathering.
There is also boat trailer parking for the 44 East Boat Ramp across the street that provides access to the Tsala Apopka Lake chain. Open sunrise to sunset, seven days a week. Located at; 1010 Hwy. 44 East, Inverness, FL 34450.
Fort Cooper State Park;
Nestled along a Florida hardwood hammock, Fort Cooper State Park resides right along Lake Holathlikaha, and is an excellent picnic area complete with grills, tables and a pavilion. The beach area accommodates volleyball, horseshoe, and playground activities, as well as camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, birdwatching, swimming, a playground, and so much more. If you want to reserve a pavilion there are fees for the Picnic Pavilion and Recreation Hall at $40.00 per day, plus tax for the Picnic Pavilion and $100.00 per day, plus tax for the Recreation Hall . They also offer paddle-boat and canoe rentals at $5.00 per hour, includes tax. Open 8am till sundown, 365 days. Fees are $3.00 per vehicle. They use the honor system, so please use the honor box to pay fees. Correct change is required. Limit 8 people per vehicle. Or $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass. Located at; 3100 South Old Floral City Road, Inverness, Florida 34450. Ph# (352) 726-0315. See their website for more info.
Fort Island Gulf Beach;
If you are more the beach type and prefer playing in the sand while on your picnic, you might enjoy the 15 acres Fort Island Gulf Beach offers. Its amenities include: barbecue grill, beach, boardwalk, boat ramp, fishing pier, lightning detector, pavilion, picnic tables, handicap accessible picnic shelter, restrooms, showers (outdoor), swimming, and plenty of parking. Take note that the beach, right now, is closed to swimming [Read article] Fort Island Gulf Beach is located at; 16000 W. Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, Fl. 34429. Here a few links related to FIGB: Reserve a facility at this park, and Beach water sampling results . Also note that there is no fishing from the Jetties or Beach Area, and there are no Lifeguards on duty.
Hernando Beach
Hernando Beach is another great beach picnic spot in Citrus County. Just three acres, but lots of amenities including; a beach (of course), barbecue grill, lightning detector, picnic tables, playground, restrooms, two shuffleboard courts, swimming, volleyball, and plenty of parking. There are no lifeguards on duty. Located at; 3699 E. Orange Drive, Hernando, Fl. 34442. Reserve a facility at this park.
Beverly Hills Community Park
Located at; 997 W. Roosevelt Blvd., Beverly Hills, Fl. 34465, Beverly Hills Community Park is a great place for a picnic. It also includes many amenities such as: picnic tables, handicap accessible, playground, restrooms, skate park, softball field, water fountain, two boccie courts, a basketball court, dog walking trails, multi-purpose field, jogging trail, pavilion, pay phone, and plenty of parking.
Bicentennial Park
Bicentennial Park is a 148 acre park with more amenities than you could ever use, it’s also a great spot for a picnic. Located at; 501 N. Baseball Point, Crystal River, Fl. 34429, you’ll find tons of things to do here. Park amenities include: four baseball fields, basketball court, two multi-purpose fields, picnic tables, playground, three racquetball courts, three softball fields, a swimming pool, four tennis courts, two volleyball courts, a water fountain, a skate park, pavilion, tons of parking, and even a lightning detector. The concession stands are open during ball games. See links for more info: Aerial Field Layout, Bicentennial Pool, Reserve a facility at this park , Skate Park .
Bluebird Springs
Bluebird Springs is a sweet little 5.5 acre park with a perfect spot for a picnic. It also has barbecue grills, a pavilion, picnic tables, a playground, restrooms and volleyball. Located at; 8950 W. Bluebird Springs Lane, Homosassa, Fl. 34448 Click here to Reserve a facility at this park .
Central Ridge District Park
Located at; 6905 N. Lecanto Hwy., Beverly Hills, Fl. 34465. You’ll find another great spot for a picnic and more with 133.5 acres of amenities such as; picnic tables, playground, restrooms, two soccer fields, a softball field, three baseball fields, concession facilities, dog walking trails, jogging trail, lightning detector, parking, pavilion, and plenty of parking. Click here to Reserve a facility at this park .
Citronelle Park
Located at; 7826 W. Dunklin Road, Dunnellon, Fl. 34433, this 15 acre park is a good place for a picnic too, and includes amenities such as; Barbecue Grill, Basketball Court, Benches, Field (Multi-Purpose), Pavilion, Playground, and Restrooms. Click here to Reserve a facility at this park .
And here are the local state parks and preserves in Citrus County which are also super spots for family picnics. Click on each to bring you to their websites for more information.
State Parks and Preserves
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Crystal River Preserve State Park
Fort Cooper State Park
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Potts Preserve
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park
Enjoy your summer and have a great picnic in Inverness and Citrus County, but don’t forget about those unwanted guests that always seem to show up…the dreaded ant invasion! Bring the bug spray and ant killer, as well as the sunscreen, along with all the other picnic supplies and you’ll be happy you did.
Resources;
definintion of picnic— Oxford English Dictionary [Clarendon Press:Oxford], 2nd edition, Volume XI (p. 779)
definition of picnic; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picnic history of picnics; http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodpicnics.html
Inverness parks information; http://www.inverness-fl.gov/index.aspx?nid=28
Parks and Recreation; Floral Park; http://www.bocc.citrus.fl.us/commserv/commrec/parksrec/parks/floral_park/fp_park.jsp?PARKID=17
Reserve a pavillion at Floral Park here; http://citruscountyparks.com/Calendar.aspx
Fort Cooper State Park; http://www.floridastateparks.org/fortcooper/default.cfm
More Parks and Recreation City of Inverness;
http://www.inverness-fl.gov/index.aspx
Citrus County Parks & Beaches; http://www.bocc.citrus.fl.us/commserv/commrec/parksrec/parks/parks.jsp
State Parks and Preserves
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
Crystal River Preserve State Park
Fort Cooper State Park
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Potts Preserve
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park
