Alfred A Ring Park

Nice place to take a hike in the middle of town easy location not to popular so easy to get around

This is one of my absolute favorite parks in Gainesville. It is woodsy and has some great off-​the-​path exploring. There’s a stream you can cross, a couple of outlook bridges and lots of cute squirrels playing and chirping. With a couple of different routes, you can choose your own adventure. There’s a playground area with a rope net and jungle gym for kids. I often come for a peaceful walk and simply love it.

Looking for a little miniature nature adventure in this concrete jungle? Then travel to Alfred A. Ring Park. This park features two routes to explore they’re essentially the same as they both lead to the same endpoints where one is used to shorten the route. The total distance or length of this trail is roughly give or take .7 miles one direction. The trail also runs along a little stream with a soft sand bottom. Venturing in the stream is allowed, however bring water to clean off your feet as they’ll be sandy afterwards. Near the parking area is an area that consists gender separated restrooms, next to a roofed picnic area. Also in the immediate area a set of jungle gym and slide that the kids can climb on. While venturing on the trail be weary of spider webs as a mass population of wolf spider also resides in the park (they like to come out at night and shoot webs everywhere). Another caution the wooden bridge is slippery when wet so tread carefully.

This park is a gem and a case of «what’s not to like?», really. I debated whether to award four or five stars, and I selected four only because it isn’t fully remarkable and outstanding, however, it’s still a very good park and unique. The county has done a great job of maintaining it as a natural habitat in a suburban residential area while placing enough improvements to make humans comfortable here. They’ve also included handy informational signs explaining the various ecosystems you tour through while walking around and the paths are well-​maintained and boardwalks in good repair. There is a wildflower garden which is nice but could be bigger; a playground which seems like an afterthought and should be larger if they’re going to fool with it at all, and some very lovely paths to walk around. One thing I really like is that these paths are as unimproved as possible – dirt and leaf-​little aside from where a boardwalk or bridge is necessary – yet very walkable. I don’t mind paths I have to scamper around on myself, but I like the idea that everyone from a seven year-​old boy to a seventy year-​old grandma can enjoy these paths.
The Hogtown Creek cuts through here and it’s a great place to see the creek and understand how it is essential for waterflow for Gainesville. In the nearby Forest Ridge subdivision, you can find a water tower and pumping station which I presume still pumps water for residential use from this watershed.
Every time I’ve been here I’ve encountered people walking dogs and it’s a great place for dogs, too, but please keep your dog on a leash or else ensure it is very friendly. .. one ran up to me today and seemed pretty aggressive and wasn’t on her leash. So many people walk dogs here that if one is loose and easily excited, I can foresee a dog fight happening if it ran around the corner into another dog. You will almost always encounter other people (and dogs) here, so be aware of that.

I decided on a whim to come to this place because I had a lot of time to myself for the day and I felt I needed some fresh air. I’m not from the area, so I just chose the park that sounded most peaceful. Upon arriving, the entrance is small and hard to see because it’s next to a lodge. But don’t be deterred. The moment I stepped onto the trail, I was breathing easier. It’s incredibly lush and beautifully quiet. I spent half my day wandering, exploring, relaxing, recharging. There is a lovely creek that passes by the trail and you can climb down to check that out as well. I even spent a good hour lying on one of the many benches, reading my book and listening to. the birds. This will be a place I absolutely return to when I’m in Gainesville again.

Sanity saver… Gainesville should thank you for helping to control my anger issues. My Jezebelle and I love our walks. xxx

I just adore this little spot of heaven right down the street! Coming from another state, I was not familar with Florida Parks & had no idea what to expect. This is a clean, well maintained park with walking trails, a playground & covered picnic area, restrooms & plenty of flora & fauna with informative signs thoughout. I was bringing my dogs with me, so I was really impressed with the ‘doggy dump’ areas complete with bags just in case! LOL They have them placed though out the trails for convenience. The walking trail itself is part wooden walkway, sand & natural soil & the entire walk takes about 20 minutes to the end at 16^th Ave. There are trails leading down to the creek area, where alot of folks go sifting for goodies like sharks teeth & such. There are lovely areas to sit on benches with gardens & even a koi pond. This is a really nice spot to visit if you are looking for a little bit of nature in the middle of town!

all is true what the other reviewers have written. just a bit to add.
1. there is a coy pond near the tiny playground/​bathrooms/​picnic tables.
2. there are several more entrances to this park from forestridge neigborhood/​the hermitage and the neighborhood just to the east of them
3. don’t go there for the playground — it is tiny, one climbing attraction and one other small playground feature with two slides, stairs and a climbing pole. it is kinda pointless. go for the trails/​boardwalks.

I love the long bridge at the entrance to this park. You feel like you are entering another world… up the short trail there is a cute playground and fish pond along with a short trail. If it’s a nice day… there’s no good reason to not be at this park. :)

Out of all of the Gainesville parks that I have visited in my life, this is by far my favorite. I believe it is fairly new, and they have recently cleared some new trails within this park. I recommend Ring Park to all of my friends, visitors to Gainesville, and new residents. The park’s location is in the core of Gainesville with entrances on 16^th and 23^rd.
Winding around calm residential areas are streams and hills to climb. I would say that about 20% of the park is well maintained boardwalks, and the other part if trails. There is also a very nice observation deck area that overlooks a large creek. At some of the nicer view points, benches have been installed. There is also a very small playground, wildflower garden with fountain, restrooms, and a covered picnic area. The parking is free and plenty in the Elks Lodge parking lot, as well as a sign to give you all of the info on the park and its dedication.
I enjoy that the park is mostly shaded by trees, so you don’t have to worry about sunburn. During the hotter months of the year, mosquitoes can be a problem. I keep from getting bit by wearing long sleeves and pants, and moving. If you stop moving, you will probably get bitten.

One of our favorites, and close to the house! Our go-​to for a mini-«hike» and some quick nature — ideal for family walks with young-​uns. Bathroom, water fountain and picnic table facilities near the north edge of the park. Trail runs adjacent to the creek and a flower garden with pergolas and a man-​made waterfall. Dog poop receptacles along a specific-​purpose pet walking trail too.

This park is a nice little getaway near the hectic 13^th street area, there are over a mile of trails that wind through upland mixed forest and slope forest, that follow the course of Hogtown Creek. A scenic overlook providesyou a view of the confluence of Glen Springs Run and Hogtown Creek where the clear water from Glen Springs sharply contrasts with the tannic water of Hogtown Creek. Birds, gray squirrels, and other urban wildlife are abundant in the park. The park also has a playground and bathrooms.