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J.F. Gregory Park is a 335-acre multi-use recreational area that once encompassed a thriving rice plantation and was subsequently bought up by Henry Ford. Named for Ford's plantation foreman, the park was developed beginning in 1998.
About the Route
In addition to the 3-mile nature trail, today the park includes the Wetland Education Center, a birding trail with a tower, the restored Henry Ford home, a 10-acre lake, and a covered pavilion. In addition, you can fish, picnic, canoe, and play sports here; there are also fitness stations along the trail.
The community of Richmond Hill takes pride in this beautiful park, and many different groups participated in its creation and maintenance. The local garden club, historical society, city planners, and private donors collaborated to develop historic landscaping, refurbish the Ford house, and construct the trails, birdwatching tower, pavilion, and wetlands center. In addition, a bridge and monument to veterans have been constructed.
Connections
The J.F. Gregory Park Trail is part of the Coastal Georgia Greenway, a planned trail network.
The J.F. Gregory Park Trail runs in a loop around the park, with access and parking available at 521 Cedar St. (Richmond Hill).
See TrailLink Map for detailed directions.
First time running the loop. For the most part trail was well shaded and nice scenery. Three miles of a nice walk or bike ride. Will definitely be making this my running trial for training.
This park is a great place to take a walk with my two little dogs. I take my dogs for a walk almost every morning.
Beautiful trail ride today. Got to hear memorial Tap at The front entrance of the park. Shaded canopy ride around the whole trail.
I am so grateful to have this convenient and amazing park to retreat to on a regular basis. Just one of the many things I love about Richmond Hill, GA.
Cecilia Bird
Cecilia Bird Team@ Remax Accent
The trail was great. My Fitbit did not calculate 3 miles; it calculated only 2.70 miles.
Nice easy flat trail with great views of the lowcountry marsh. Concrete for about two thirds of the trail. Chance to see a lot of wildlife and make sure to have bug spray during the summer.
I had been here several times before, but could never find the Trail Head. If you face the canal/water, the trail Head is on the far left and starts out Gravel.
When you come to the first Bridge, it turns to Concrete on the other side. when you come to the first trail on your left, you can follow it or keep going straight, the trail is not marked, but that is OK, because the Trail is in the shape of a Square. The Trail turns back to Gravel for about 1/3 of the trail.
The worst part of the Trail was the beginning to the end, with the Horse flys and sand Nats biting us.
We hit the Trail around 2PM, The Temperture was about 90F degrees and we were in the shade for most of the Trip.
Be sure to carry some Bottle Water with you, and a fly swatter. lol You might try some long pants, long sleeve shirt and a bug net for your Head.
My Wife and I may try it again when the Weather is cooler, and perhape the Bugs will not be as bad.
I went on the 2.87 mile loop, I believe. It travels next to the rail road tracks, then by canals filled with brackish water and warnings to look out for snakes and alligators. Did not see either. When I got their early, saw a huge blue heron, but later in the day saw little wildlife outside of insects. Lots of biting flies and mosquitoes to accompany you the whole way. Parts of the trail were paved and parts were dirt and gravel with a few wooden bridges and a tower you could climb (it's only about eight feet high) looking over the water. The later half goes by the highway and some private homes along a tidal creek which looks more like a big ditch. There are exercise stations set up around the trail and a few park benches, but no water and no bathrooms. The trail is shaded, but in summer it is very humid and hot even with the shade. Might be rough on bicycles and strollers, but nice walking and jogging trail. There were more trails closer to the train side, but was not able to get to those on this trip and was not really sure where they went. Once you are on the loop, you are on it until the end. There is no short cut back. If you have small children with you, keep them close at hand and monitored. There are a lot of tempting drop offs and water areas to intrigue them away from the path.
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