Long to unwind after a stressful day? Lose yourself in your favorite novel at Raccoon Pond. Perhaps a whippoorwill serenade at Turtle Creek or Hansen Gorge! Ashford’s tranquil haven is actually Tallahassee’s newest and most distinctive park. The Betton Hills Nature Center not only provides green space facilities for leisure and recreation, but over a mile of scenic trails.

Created by The Ashford Club, the park has recently been transferred to the City of Tallahassee's Parks and Recreation Department. With a private access, it will link together McCord and Winthrop Parks - two of Tallahassee’s loveliest family parks. Some of the park’s attractive features are:

• Reading and reflection benches underneath canopy oaks and bamboo groves
• Picnic groves with barbeque grills, drinking fountains and ponderosa fencing
• Over one mile of serene jogging, hiking and walking trails that connect to extended parks and trails that encompass nearly four total miles
• Amphitheater with seating for 200 people
• Recreated Indian mound and fire pit on the site of an historic village
• Unique dog-friendly park with trails, pet disposal pick-up stations and custom dog-drinking fountains
• For those that can’t resist a nostalgic step back in time, a sixty-five foot covered bridge awaits you. To be completed in the near future, the bridge will span Turtle Creek while providing its fair share of romantic notions

For more information, visit the Betton Hills Nature Center Web site.