4 Best Parks in Jacksonville for Outdoor Adventures

by Traci Schrock, Graduating Senior at Fletcher High School

The Northeast Florida Environment provides a ton of different outdoor activities to try in a range of about two hours, from clear blue springs such as Silver Springs, to unique beaches like Jekyll Island.  However, if you are not wanting to drive that far from the Jacksonville area and yet are still seeking outdoor adventure these are my four favorite local parks.

Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, Atlantic Beach 

I may be a little biased living in Atlantic Beach, but Hanna Park is my all time favorite park to go to when I am looking for adventure or just seeking peace in nature.  This park is situated at the north end of Atlantic…

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By Karen Tyrrell 

Looking to freshen up your home to appeal to more buyers? Paint will be your best friend! 

There is no one "right" interior paint color that will guarantee a quick sale of your house, as different buyers have different preferences and tastes. However, there are some general guidelines you can follow to increase your chances of making a good impression with potential buyers. 

Neutral Colors

Neutrals like white, beige, and gray tend to appeal to a wide range of buyers, as they create a clean, fresh, and timeless look. These colors also make it easier for buyers to envision themselves living in the space.  Sherwin Williams’ top selling whites are: Greek Villa, Dover White, and Westhighland White.  For Benjamin Moore, the top…

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by Jenn Heller

Studies show that as we age there are benefits to a busy social calendar. For seniors this can mean better sleep by staying physically active. The lifestyle benefits that come from living in an independent or assisted living facility are abundant. Independent and assisted living facilities offer a multitude of activities from bingo, bocce, pickleball, fitness, game nights, and arts and crafts to name just a few. To witness first hand, we visited Starling at Nocatee to get a feel for what is offered to our senior friends. To be honest, we wanted to move in ourselves! Starling felt like a cruise ship for seniors and we wanted to jump on board to enjoy the fun! From the incredible common areas and amenities, the amazing activities and…

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In need of a little spring refresh, a whole house redo or a present for a friend? These local shops, and the interior designers associated with them, are perfect for all three. 

boxwood and birch design store

Boxwood & Birch in Ponte Vedra Beach

Boxwood & Birch recently renovated and expanded  to include tableware, women’s luxury small goods such as the iconic Nuxe Oils from France, an eponymous gorgeous smelling room spray, a wide collection of design books and much much more. Each collection offers a bit of indulgence at a variety of price points and are carefully chosen by owner, Connie Riik. Her touch of “tradish with a twist” makes for lots of goodies to explore.  I recently left with some beautiful notecards and a deck of cards printed with Gray Malin’s iconic beach…

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by Jenn Heller

Thinking about listing your home for sale this spring or summer? These warmer months tend to be buzzing with activity from eager home buyers. Many are on the hunt to establish roots and settle in before the new school year kicks off. Let's ensure your home stands out from the rest during this busy selling season with these 5 invaluable tips to get market-ready.

1. Get Organized

Buyers want to see themselves living in your home, but it's hard to envision if your space feels cluttered and cramped. Before listing your home, take a stroll through each room to create an airy atmosphere by decluttering and organizing. Consider stowing away excess items, especially in homes with children, where toys can easily take over. Removing family…

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Written by Kyah Williams, 2023 Ponte Vedra Focus Blog Scholarship Winner

Life can get pretty busy, as we all know. Sometimes a break is just simply needed, somewhere to go in between meetings or on the weekends. Your body, and mind, need rest. It’s necessary to perform well at anything and everything you do. It’s natural, human, to need to find some sort of peacefulness in this busy world. 

Stop and take a moment for yourself so that you can get the rest that you deserve. The Northeast Jacksonville area has plenty of places where you can sneak away for a few hours with some peace and quiet. 

Neptune Beach

This may seem like an obvious one to some – but most forget that the most peaceful place is right in our backyards! Neptune Beach is the…

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by Jenn Heller

One of the most established and highly coveted communities in Ponte Vedra Beach is also home to THE PLAYERS Championship every spring. Sawgrass Players Club, lovingly known as TPC Sawgrass, is an established planned unit development that comes with a boatload of history.

the golf course at tpc sawgrass with clubhouse in the background

TPC Sawgrass History

  • Early 1970s: TPC Sawgrass was developed by Jimmy Stockton
    • Developer, Jimmy Stockton, toyed with names like Sea Spray and Dune Village before landing on Sawgrass
  • 1974: The PGA Tour relocates from Washington DC to Ponte Vedra Beach
  • 1984: Sawgrass Village was constructed in the mid 80's adding nearby local shopping and fine dining
  • 1982: The PGA Tour hosts THE PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass for the first time
  • …

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by Aaron Bacus

Gift funds have been a hot topic recently for those looking to buy a home. So what exactly is a gift fund and can a buyer accept funds from anyone? Let’s dive into the nitty gritty! Gift funds are funds given to someone buying a home by an acceptable donor to be used as a down payment, towards closing costs, or other fees.  They can only be used on a primary residence or second home and are not allowed to be used for an investment property. 

girl with money


An acceptable donor can be a relative such as a spouse, child, dependent or other relative that is related by blood, marriage or adoption.  A non-relative can be considered as an acceptable donor if they share a “familial relationship” with the borrower such as a domestic partner, fiancé,…

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