Let's take advantage of hopefully beautiful Spring weather by spending the day at a nearby State Park. After a picnic lunch, we will head out to explore the park's gardens, trails and beach area. Following is a description of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, copied from the State of Florida parks website:

Welcome to Washington Oaks Gardens State Park
Although the formal gardens are the centerpiece of this park, Washington Oaks is also famous for the unique shoreline of coquina rock formations that line its Atlantic beach. Nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and the Matanzas River, this property was once owned by a distant relative of President George Washington. The gardens were established by Louise and Owen Young who purchased the land in 1936 and built a winter retirement home. They named it Washington Oaks and, in 1965, donated most of the property to the State. The gardens make remarkable use of native and exotic species, from azaleas and camellias to the exquisite bird of paradise, sheltered within a picturesque oak hammock. Visitors can picnic and fish from either the beach or the seawall along the Matanzas River. A number of short trails provide opportunities for hiking and bicycling. Visitors can learn about the park's natural and cultural resources in the visitor center. Located two miles south of Marineland on State Road A1A.

Please bring your own beverage and sandwiches or other portable lunch item in addition to a snack, salad or dessert to share. Post what you will be bringing to share on your RSVP. Children are welcome to attend this event. If enough people sign up, I will contact the park about renting their picnic facility. Don't forget to bring the essentials for spending a day outdoors - sunscreen, bug spray, water, layers of clothing for temperature changes and comfortable shoes.

We will meet in front of Brooklyn Pizza in the Kohls/Publix Plaza at the corners of Old St. Augustine Road and Bartram Park. The drive to Washington Oaks Gardens should take a little less than an hour. The entrance fee for the park is $5 per vehicle.