The community is invited to the Inaugural 7 Creeks Fest, a celebration and exploration of the 7 Creeks Recreation Area. The free family-friendly event is Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with activities planned throughout the day. Guests can enjoy a variety of nature activities in the 7 Creeks Recreation Area that will include visits to Betz-Tiger Point Preserve, Bogey Creek Preserve, Cedar Point Preserve, Cedar Point (National Park Service), and Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park. There will be guided nature hikes at the various parks, a fishing clinic for kids (registration required), kayaking and canoeing, yoga, arts and crafts, and more.
Betz-Tiger Point Preserve at 13990 Pumpkin Hill Road will serve as the Fest Welcome Hub where guests can pick up the day’s event schedule and map, visit exhibitor tables, enjoy live music and purchase food from the food trucks, as well as participate in nature activities. Visitors are encouraged to bring a camp chair or blanket for this location, as well as reusable water bottles. Guests are also welcome to bring a picnic lunch.
Visitors can drive between the parks to take part in the nature activities in each location and participate in the Bingo Scavenger Hunt and the Geocache Challenge that cover the entire 7 Creeks area. For a full list of activities, visit 7creeksfest.org.
The 7 Creeks Recreation Area is 5,600 acres of contiguous parklands in northeast Jacksonville that are linked by trails and waterways. The collection of seven parks features more than 30 miles of trails on thousands of connected acres of public lands perfect for biking, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing and more, offering many opportunities for improving physical and mental health. The outdoors destination was made possible by the partnership of park agencies and supportive nonprofits working together to expand access and recreational opportunities for park visitors: the City of Jacksonville’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department (JaxParks), Florida Park Service (FPS), National Park Service (NPS), North Florida Land Trust (NFLT), Timucuan Parks Foundation (TPF) and Visit Jacksonville.