# Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park Winter Nature Center & Observation Tower

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

- When: Open daily 7:00 AM–5:00 PM (winter hours November–March); 7:00 AM–7:00 PM (summer)
- Where: Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park, 7000 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244
- Ages: All ages welcome (nature center, marsh observation tower, modern playground, and off-leash dog park)
- Price: Free admission; Free parking on-site
- Schedule: Open daily 7:00 AM–5:00 PM (winter hours November–March); 7:00 AM–7:00 PM (summer)
- Organizer: City of Jacksonville Parks and Recreation
- Official page: https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/recreation-activities/tillie-k-fowler-regional-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/tillie-k-fowler-regional-park-winter-nature-center-and-observation-tow--listing-1cbb50b01328a4ad4655e231

## About

Spanning more than 500 forested acres directly across from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park is the city's second-largest urban park. The park boasts an exceptional nature center with hands-on wildlife exhibits, mounted taxidermy displays, and educational touch-tables teaching children about Northeast Florida's native pine flatwoods and marsh ecosystems. Families can embark on the popular Island Trail, a scenic 1.2-mile nature trek that combines packed dirt paths and elevated wooden boardwalks leading to a two-story observation tower overlooking the expansive Ortega River salt marsh. Children love climbing the tower steps to peer through mounted binoculars at feeding bald eagles, wood storks, and wading egrets. Near the main entrance, kids can burn off energy on a modern fenced playground with spiral slides, balance ropes, and climbing walls, or visit the adjacent dog park.

Family Experience & Accessibility:
• Stroller Accessibility: Paved parking and walkways lead to the nature center and playground; boardwalk portions of nature trails are stroller accessible, though all-terrain wheels help on unpaved trail sections.
• Nursing & Rest Spots: Shaded picnic pavilions with barbecue grills, resting benches along the nature trail, and clean air-conditioned restrooms with baby changing counters at the nature center.
• Age Suitability: Excellent for all ages, from toddlers enjoying the playground to curious school-age kids and tweens climbing the marsh observation tower.
• Sensory Tips: Crisp pine-scented breezes and quiet forest trails provide a soothing retreat; occasional distant aircraft sounds from the neighboring naval base add excitement for little airplane fans.

## Similar picks in Jacksonville

- [Ringhaver Park & Ortega Stream Valley Winter Boardwalk Trek & Kayak Launch](https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/activities/ringhaver-park-and-ortega-stream-valley-winter-boardwalk-trek-and-kaya--listing-9a9507bb686498349a43af60) — Open daily 7:30 AM to sunset (around 5:30 PM in winter) · Ringhaver Park · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. 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…
- [Tillie K. Fowler Holiday Forest Trails & Scavenger Hunt](https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/activities/tillie-k-fowler-holiday-forest-trails-and-scavenger-hunt--listing-ef1699de2cdb7e3ccaa626fb) — Sat, Dec 19 · 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM · Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Located across from NAS Jacksonville, Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park invites families to celebrate the holiday season outdoors with its Holiday Forest Trails & Scavenger Hunt…
- [Julington Durbin Creek Nature Preserve Winter Peninsula Trail & Creek Walk](https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/activities/julington-durbin-creek-nature-preserve-winter-peninsula-trail-and-cree--listing-5d248d7be2edd739530527f3) — Open daily 7:30 AM to sunset (around 5:30 PM in winter) · Julington Durbin Creek Nature Preserve · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Forming a pristine 2,031-acre wilderness peninsula nestled between Julington Creek and Durbin Creek on Jacksonville's far south side, Julington Durbin Creek Nature Preserve…
- [Tree Hill Nature Center Winter Animal Encounters & Forest Trails](https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/activities/tree-hill-nature-center-winter-animal-encounters-and-forest-trails--listing-b9e295eecef431b4ed0f278c) — Open Monday through Saturday 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; Closed Sundays and major holidays · Tree Hill Nature Center · All ages · From $5 · checked Nov 5. Tucked away in the heart of urban Arlington, Tree Hill Nature Center preserves 50 acres of pristine hilltop forest, freshwater wetlands, and rolling ravines. This community…
- [Tree Hill Nature Center Thanksgiving Nature Trails & Animal Encounters](https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/activities/tree-hill-nature-center-thanksgiving-nature-trails-and-animal-encounte--listing-14a0b178d93f629ad96828f7) — Sat, Nov 28 · 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM · Tree Hill Nature Center · All ages · From $5 · checked Nov 5. Located in the heart of Arlington just minutes from downtown Jacksonville, Tree Hill Nature Center encompasses 50 acres of protected nature trails, hilltop forests, and…
- [Castaway Island Preserve Winter Salt Marsh Overlooks & Boardwalk Nature Walks](https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/activities/castaway-island-preserve-winter-salt-marsh-overlooks-and-boardwalk-nat--listing-166e1a6b2932cf071f54c08e) — Open daily 7:30 AM to sunset (approximately 5:30 PM in winter) · Castaway Island Preserve · All ages · Free · checked Nov 5. Bordering the Intracoastal Waterway along San Pablo Road, Castaway Island Preserve protects more than 300 acres of pristine coastal salt marsh, maritime hammock, and tidal creek…

## More for families

- [Things to do with kids at Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park](https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/venues/tillie-k-fowler-regional-park) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/venues/tillie-k-fowler-regional-park.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Duval County, FL](https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/counties/duval-county-fl) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/counties/duval-county-fl.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Jacksonville — November 2026](https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/events/2026-11) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/events/2026-11.md)
- [This weekend in Jacksonville](https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/this-weekend) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville/this-weekend.md)
- [Things to do with kids in Jacksonville](https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville) (Markdown: https://grassyknees.com/jacksonville.md)