Brevard County, Florida
Wickham Park is a jewels hidden in plain sight. The park has a few small entrances, none of which have flashing lights, or Smokey the Bear outside beckoning passers-by to stop in for leisurely stroll. However, it’s a beautiful park, loaded with diversity, and lots of activities.
In its over 390 acres, Wickham captures what natural Florida is like. During any given visit you can see other visitors riding by on horseback, or owners with dogs jotting by, or a set of boys chatting it up near the fishing-hole and swimming lake.
The park caters to the both the visitors who like to lounge and those who need to blow off a little energy. There is a swimming lake, just the perfect depth for everyone, from children to adults. There are large areas of grass and shade, perfect for lying out, or a romantic picnic. For the active folks, there are plenty of things to choose from—archery, traditional playgrounds, disc-golf, 2000 feet of hiking/walking trails, bicycling and jogging trails, a 21-station exercise station circuit, pre-set volleyball nets, and lots more. If the friend you bring along happens to be four-legged, you’re sure to love the dog park section.
However Wickham has a few features that makes it stand out from other park choices. There is a large equestrian center, with accompanying horse trails. The park also boosts a senior center with lots of planned indoor and outdoor activities. For the general public, there’s an outdoor theater—the hub for many annual events like Indiafest, Jumbalaya Jam, and Ocktoberfest.
When you entered the park you might notice that there is a Park Ranger station on premise. And you might have wondered if the park was really that large? It’s virtually impossible to do everything the park has to offer in one day. So bring along a tent and spend the night; Wickham has 88 campsites with water, shower rooms, laundry, and electricity—perfect for city folks pretending to rough it (No cable though, sorry!) However, if you really want the outdoors experience, you can choice from one of the 25 overflow sites that are rustic.
For those who enjoy nature, the walking trails are a must. From true hikers, to those who just want a casual stroll, the trails in Wickham cover one than one terrain type, which means different wildlife, tree, and flowers to observe.
How could you possibly sit at home bored, when there so much to do, which anyone could fit into their budget? Wickham is definitely one of the natural jewels in Brevard County. However, no matter where you live, you’re sure to have a beautiful slice of natural Florida near you.
Location
Wickham Park
2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne
321-255-4307
