Park Summary for Print - Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

This is a photo of a rose garden surrounded by trees.

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.

Contact the Florida Park Service Information Center for general inquiries.
For Information about Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, please call 386-446-6780.

Hours of Operation

Florida state parks are open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year.

Driving Directions

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is located two miles south of Marineland, off A1A.

Park Fees

Admission Fees - $4.00 per vehicle for up to 8 people
Motor Cycles and single occupant vehicles $3.00
Pedestrians, Bicyclists, Extra Passengers, Passengers In Vehicles With Holder of Annual Individual Entrance Permit Admission Fee $1.00 Pavilion Fee
Pavilion, Facility Rental $30.00 plus tax

Activities at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

	Beaches Come relax or play on our beach
	Bicycling Bike areas are provided
	Facilities ADA restroom facilities are available at the Vistor Center and Picnic Area. ADA Portalet available at the beach.
	Fishing Fishing from the seawall as well surf fishing is allowed at Washington Oaks. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is a popular place for recreational fishing. Fishing can be enjoyed from the parks seawall in the Matanzas River and from the beach, if surf fishing is your pleasure. A number of different species are routinely caught including whiting and blue fish in the surf and redfish, drum and flounder and several species of trout along the seawall. Non residents are required to posses a Florida Saltwater fishing license. Florida residents are not required to posses a license when fishing from shore. Do you need a Fishing License?
	Interpretive Exhibits Interpretive exhibits are available
	Nature Trails Washington Oaks Gardens State Park provides trails for both hiking and biking. The Bella Vista trails, include the Timucuan hiking trail, Jungle Road hike and bike trail and the Old A-1-A hike and bike trail. This 1.7 mile trail system explores a mature coastal maritime hammock and ventures into the edge of a dense canopied coastal scrub. The Mala Compra hiking loop is a one half (1/2 mile) loop that explores the ecotone between the coastal maritime hammock and the estuarine tidal marsh along the Matanzas River. The hiking trails at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park were developed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in cooperation with the Florida Trail Association.
	Pets All pets must be on a 6-foot leash and well behaved at all times. Pets may not be left unattended. You may walk your pet in the picnic area, along the bike trails, and hiking trails but not in the Gardens or on the Beach.
	Picnicking Washington Oaks Gardens State Park provides a beautiful picnic facility beneath large majestic oaks. There is a covered pavilion with other tables and grills located throughout the picnic area . The picnic areas close proximity to the parks hiking trail and the Matanzas River, makes it a popular meeting place for an after lunch hike. The pavilion is available for reservations by calling the Park office at 386-446-6783. Restroom facilities and a children's play area is also available in the picnic area.
	Playground For further enjoyment we have a children's playground located in the picnic area close to the banks of the Matanzas River, commonly referred to as the intracoastal waterway. The playground is equipped with such amenities as a slide and swing set. It is located in a coastal hammock, so is sure to provide ample shade.
	Visitor Center Come to our Visitor Center for Information
	Wildlife Viewing Wildlife viewing is possible at this park

Special Events for Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

There are no events listed at this time. Please call our park for more details on possible future events.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park Ranger Programs

KAYAK TOURS
Ongoing Event - Want to learn more about the world of birding and kayaking? Join us for a two-hour program and enjoy a leisurely paddle through one of Northeast Florida’s most beautiful landscapes. While observing the area’s migratory and resident birds, fish populations, and common aquatic plants, you will discover how they interact with the environment and maintain a vital balance. Our stable, double kayaks make great vehicles for studying nature; they allow you to become immersed in your surroundings without being intrusive. Small group sizes also ensure a memorable experience. Basic kayak instruction is provided therefore no previous experience is necessary. The tour will launch from Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, last two hours, and be led by a professional kayak guide/naturalist. The tour fee is $40 per person, which includes all needed kayaking equipment, kayaking instruction, park entrance fees and bottled water. Some suggested items to bring are a spare change of clothing, sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, camera and binoculars. After the kayak tour, feel free to explore the park which include ornamental gardens, nature trails, picnic area, coquina rock beach and newly renovated Visitor Center. Spaces are limited and deadline for registration is 24 hours prior to date. Payment is due upon registration by contacting Ripple Effect Ecotours @ 904-347-1565.
Call 904-347-1565 for more details.
2ND SATURDAY PLANT SALES AT THE PARK
2nd Saturday each month The Friends of Washington Oaks will be holding a plant sale on the second Saturday each month. The plant sale hours are from 10am-2pm. You will find a selection of perennials, succulents, and orchids. Most of our plants for sale were propagated and grown right here in the park by our wonderful volunteers. All proceeds benefit the park for enhancement of current and new facilities. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park is made up of a diverse landscape with a hardwood forest bordering the tidal marshes along the intra-coastal waterway. Within the Park are ornamental gardens, hammocks, coastal scrub, beaches and marshes. This variety of plant communities accounts for the abundant wildlife here. The peaceful and tranquil setting of this biologically rich area offers the unhurried visitor an opportunity to relax, reflect, explore, discover, and wonder.
Call 386-446-6780 for more details.
INDIANS OF THE ESTUARY KAYAK TOUR
On-going The tour begins with a visit to a Timucuan Shell Midden, where you'll have the opportunity to view and learn about authentic timucuan tools and artifacts from the state parks collection. Next, we’ll paddle the Matanzas Estuary in search of the flora and fauna important to the Native American way of life. Along the way, we'll stop at an island refuge for a catered lunch and you'll be able to try out your Native American skills by weaving a natural-fiber bracelet or starting a fire with just a bow and drill! Small group sizes ensure a memorable experience.
Call (904) 347-1565 for more details.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park History

Long before Europeans reached Florida, Native Americans came here to hunt, fish and gather shellfish. The hill at the top of the rose garden is formed by a midden -- the mound of oyster shells and other discards left by generations of Indians. Archaeological studies are currently underway to learn more about the Indian ways of life here.

During the 1500’s and 1600’s several French, Spanish, and English groups passed through the area. The first documented settlement by Europeans came in 1770 when the British government granted the land to John Moultrie, Lieutenant Governor of East Florida. Moultrie mined the heaps of oyster shells to produce lime in his lime kiln and established an orange grove.

In 1793 a fire, probably natural, swept over the tract. Shortly after, it was acquired by a Portuguese born merchant who may have constructed some buildings and planted crops. Common crops on nearby farms were rice and corn.

In 1818, Jose Mariano Hernandez, a St. Augustine native of Minorcan descent, bought the land. He named it "Bella Vista."

Hernandez’ career as a planter was typical for many in northeast Florida. He was a citizen of a Spanish colony, owning lands granted by Spain. In 1821, Florida became a U.S. territory.

Hernandez swore allegiance to the new country and changed his name to Joseph Marion Hernandez. His service to the government included representing St. Augustine in the Territorial legislature in Tallahassee and serving as the first Representative from the Territory of Florida to the U.S. Congress. He became known as General Hernandez because, as Brigadier General, he organized and commanded militia before and during the Second Seminole War (1835-42).

On his several land holdings, Hernandez raised cotton, sugar, and crops to feed the family, workers, and slaves. Bella Vista adjoined his cotton plantation to the south, but was apparently never developed as a separate farm itself. In 1836, Indians burned plantations along the Matanzas River, that were occupied by U.S. troops, including Hernandez lands. Since Bella Vista was not garrisoned, it was not destroyed. But the plantation economy in this part of the state never fully recovered.

In 1845, Hernandez’ daughter Luisa married a lawyer from North Carolina named George Lawrence Washington. (He shared a common ancestor with President George Washington.) While George Lawrence and Luisa Washington lived in the St. Augustine area until 1856, it does not appear that they built a home or resided at Bella Vista.

Washington apparently remembered this land fondly long after Luisa died. In 1878, he began seasonal visits to St. Augustine. At Bella Vista, now owned by another daughter of General Hernandez, he built a small beach house, which he and his sons used for hunting and fishing and raising citrus. In 1888, he bought the entire property from her and people began calling it "The Washington Place."

After Washington’s death in 1894, the property went to his heirs. One of them, a son from a later marriage in New Jersey, sold the land to unrelated developers in 1923. Only the collapse of the 1920’s Florida land boom kept the tract from sprouting a new crop of homes in a subdivision to be called "Hernandez Estates."

In 1936 the land was bought by Louise Powis Clark, a designer from New York. It was to become a winter retirement home for herself and her third husband, Owen D. Young. Young, an attorney and industrialist who had been chairman of the board of General Electric Corporation and RCA, advised the Government on international monetary issues.

The Youngs were responsible for the name "Washington Oaks," as well as the design of the gardens and the house. They combined native and exotic plantings, even adding touches from the Orient, where both had spent time. They gradually acquired the beach front property from neighbors. Throughout the 1940’s and 50’s, children and grandchildren of previous marriages enjoyed extended vacations here.

In 1962, Mr. Young died. Shortly before her death in 1965, Mrs. Young gave most of Washington Oaks to the State of Florida. She specified that the gardens be "maintained in their present form" and expanded as funds become available.