Tallahassee Outside: Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

Tallahassee houses a hidden gem of both nature and history in the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. During the summer months, outside of the primary blooming season, the gardens and surrounding park can be accessed for $6 a vehicle. Even outside of peak blooming, Maclay Gardens offers an impressive walled garden featuring brick walkways (with various accessibility aids available at the Ranger Station to make the gardens a relaxing spot for all guests), a secret garden, a reflection pool, and an expansive variety of flowers and trees. The park also participates in the “Operation Recreation GeoTour,” an outdoor GPS treasure hunt across participating Florida State Parks. 

Outside of the gardens and Maclay family home, the state park also includes land around Lake Hall and Lake Overstreet. Lake Hall is more directly open to guests, with opportunities for swimming, paddling, canoeing, fishing, and kayaking. Guests wishing to fish need a valid Florida freshwater fishing license, and have the chance to catch largemouth bass, bream, and bluegill in the waters of Lake Hall. Guests can also hike around Lake Hall on two short nature trails, The Big Pine and Boy Scout Trail, that overlook the lakes. Lake Hall has a boat launch and is open for kayaking, canoeing, small sailboats, and paddling. Don’t have a boat of your own? The park has a limited number of kayaks available for rent—they’re on a first-come first-serve basis, so if you’re hoping to rent, make sure to get there early. Lake Hall also features a designated swimming area with a gently sloped sandy beach, restrooms, and rinsing shower available for guests who want to take a dip and escape the Florida heat. Or, if you’re looking to just spend a relaxing day by the water, Lake Hall also features a number of picnicking pavilions of varying sizes. These are also available on a first-come first-serve basis, so be sure to start your day early if you’re looking to grill along the lake. 

The Lake Overstreet property was acquired by the park in 1994, adding 877 acres to the park, including a 144-acre freshwater lake. This portion of the park offers an additional five miles of multi-use hiking, biking, and horseback trails, with an extra three miles of designated bike trails. These trails offer guests a view of the scenic Lake Overstreet and a ravine system that is said to rival those of northern Georgia. Don’t have a bike, but want to take advantage of the trails? Not a problem! The park also offers a number of bicycles for rent, so be sure to check with the Ranger Station when you enter the park to see if there are any available. The park also has ample opportunities for wildlife viewing, as it’s known to be home to bobcats, alligators, white-tailed deer, Barred Owls, Bald Eagles, and many more birds, fish, and reptiles that can be found year-round.

A piece of both local history and nature, Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is a sight to see year-round. By supporting parks like this, we have the opportunity to support local conservation efforts that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Maclay Gardens’ efforts in accessibility by providing various mobility tools and an audio tour of the garden supports SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities by creating a space where nature can be accessible to all. This also helps create a space where movement, exercise, and time outdoors can be enjoyed by a greater populace, in line with SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being. Preserving and protecting this green space in the era of increasing urbanization helps create habitats for native flora and fauna, as well as potentially endangered species, which is one of the goals of SDG 15: Life on Land. This protection doesn’t end at the shoreline. With two different lakes within its borders and its enforcement of various fishing regulations, Maclay Gardens also supports SDG 14: Life Below Water, working to provide a healthy habitat for various fish, reptiles, and other aquatic and semi-aquatic species.

Want to stay up to date with Sustainable Campus? Follow us on Instagram at @fsusustainable for information on sustainability at Florida State University and beyond, and keep an eye on our blog to find more information on places to visit around Tallahassee this summer in our “Tallahassee Outside” series!