# Ringhaver Park & Ortega Stream Valley Winter Boardwalk Trek & Kayak Launch

> Place to go for families in the Jacksonville area (FL). Times are Eastern Time.

- When: Open daily 7:30 AM to sunset (around 5:30 PM in winter)
- Where: Ringhaver Park, 5198 118th St, Jacksonville, FL 32244
- Ages: All ages welcome (elevated boardwalk trail, nature center, kayak launch, and children's playground)
- Price: Free admission; Free public parking
- Schedule: Open daily 7:30 AM to sunset (around 5:30 PM in winter)
- Organizer: City of Jacksonville Parks and Recreation
- Official page: https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation-activities/ringhaver-park
- Last checked: Thu, Nov 5

Source: Grassy Knees is a directory of real family events, places and programs for kids across major U.S. metro areas, where every listing is researched from the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. https://grassyknees.com covers 42 metro areas as of Nov 11, 2026, with more added regularly. About: https://grassyknees.com/about
Freshness: listings are re-checked on a daily research run (latest check 2026-11-10), and new events are added as organizers post them. Sell-outs, weather cancellations and time changes show up on the live page first: https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/activities/ringhaver-park-and-ortega-stream-valley-winter-boardwalk-trek-and-kaya--listing-9a9507bb686498349a43af60

## About

Tucked along the Ortega River on Jacksonville's Westside, the 576-acre Ringhaver Park provides a remarkable wilderness experience right within the city. The park serves as the gateway to the Ortega Stream Valley Trail, featuring an impressive 8-foot-wide elevated wooden boardwalk that winds through dense cypress river swamps and floodplain hardwood forests. Children can peer down from the boardwalk into crystal-clear wetland pools to spot turtles, freshwater fish, river otters, and wading herons feeding along the marsh banks. The trail terminates at an ADA-accessible kayak and canoe launch on the Ortega River. Back near the main entrance, families will find a shaded modern playground with swings and climbing towers, paved multi-use fitness loops, soccer fields, and covered picnic pavilions. Winter provides crisp, mosquito-free trail conditions and crystal-clear views through the dormant cypress trees.

Family Experience & Accessibility:
• Stroller Accessibility: Beautiful 8-foot-wide level wooden boardwalk and paved multi-use trails provide exceptionally smooth rolling for strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs.
• Nursing & Rest Spots: Built-in wooden benches situated along the boardwalk overlook points, with covered picnic pavilions and family restrooms equipped with changing tables near the playground.
• Age Suitability: Perfect for all ages, from babies in strollers on the boardwalk to toddlers on the playground and active older kids exploring river nature.
• Sensory Tips: Calming forest canopy with the gentle gurgling of river streams and bird songs; the boardwalk provides a safe, contained structure for children to experience nature.

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