Brown Whatley Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Brown Whatley Park is a small park located in the city of Gainesville in the state of Florida.


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Summary

It is a popular destination for people looking to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and picnicking. The park is also home to a number of interesting points of interest, including a playground, a pavilion, and a small pond where visitors can fish.

One of the main reasons to visit Brown Whatley Park is to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. The park is located in a scenic wooded area, and visitors can explore the trails that wind through the forested hills and valleys. There are also several picnic areas where visitors can relax and enjoy a meal or snack while taking in the beautiful scenery.

Another point of interest at Brown Whatley Park is the playground, which is popular with families with young children. The playground features a variety of equipment, including swings, slides, and climbing structures, and is a great place for kids to burn off some energy.

For those interested in fishing, the small pond at Brown Whatley Park is a popular spot to cast a line. The pond is stocked with a variety of fish, including bass and catfish, and is a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon.

Interesting facts about Brown Whatley Park include its history as a former dairy farm, which has left behind several old barns and other structures that add to the park's rustic charm. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, raccoons, and a variety of birds.

The best time of year to visit Brown Whatley Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. Summer can be hot and humid, and winter can be chilly, but the park is open year-round and offers something to see and do no matter the season.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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