At First Coast Cardiovascular Institute, we believe taking care of your heart happens both inside and outside the doctor’s office. Regular checkups and preventive care are important, but some of the best things you can do for your heart can become part of your everyday routine.
One of those things is moving.
In Duval County, there are plenty of ways to do it.
Jacksonville is home to an incredible variety of parks, trails, beaches, waterways and outdoor spaces. Whether you enjoy walking along the river, riding a bike, practicing yoga outdoors, exploring nature or simply spending more time outside with family and friends, there are countless opportunities to make movement part of your day.
That’s why we’re continuing our Heart Healthy Hometowns series, highlighting local places that make it easier to get outside, stay active and enjoy the communities we call home.
Our next stop is Duval County, Florida.
The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. That may sound like a lot, but it doesn’t have to happen all at once. A brisk walk here, a bike ride there, an afternoon at the park or a weekend hike can all add up.
The most important part?
Find activities you enjoy and make them part of your routine.
Here are a few places in Duval County that can help you do just that.
Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail
If you enjoy walking, running or cycling, the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail is a great place to start.
The approximately 14.5-mile multi-use trail follows a former railroad corridor through western Duval County and offers a mostly flat route for walkers, runners, cyclists and skaters. You don’t have to cover the entire trail. Pick a starting point, choose a comfortable distance and turn around when you’re ready.
The trail also provides an opportunity to enjoy a little more nature while you’re getting your steps in.
Why you’ll love it: You can make your outing as short or as long as you want, making it a great option for different fitness levels.
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
For a heart-healthy outing that feels more like an adventure, head to Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park.
This 450-acre oceanfront city park offers much more than beach access. Visitors can hike, bike, explore trails, enjoy the freshwater lake, paddle, picnic and spend time outdoors surrounded by nature.
With so many activities in one location, you can choose your own pace. Take a leisurely walk through the park, explore a trail by bike or spend some time enjoying the beach.
Why you’ll love it: Beach, trails, lake and outdoor recreation all in one place.
Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Jacksonville has a side that can sometimes be overlooked: its incredible natural landscape.
The Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve protects more than 46,000 acres of wetlands, coastal dunes, forests, waterways and historic sites in Northeast Jacksonville.
Exploring the preserve can turn exercise into an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with nature. Take a hike, explore a historic area or simply spend some time walking through one of the preserve’s natural areas.
Why you’ll love it: Nature, history and physical activity come together in one of Jacksonville’s most unique outdoor destinations.
The St. Johns River has always been a defining part of Jacksonville, but the downtown riverfront is becoming much more than a place to admire the view.
Today, the Riverwalk and its surrounding parks offer opportunities to walk, run, bike, stretch, play, explore and participate in community activities.
The Northbank Riverwalk stretches through downtown and into Riverside, offering scenic views of the St. Johns River and Jacksonville skyline. The city has continued to invest in improving connections, amenities, and access along the Riverwalk.
In 2026, Jacksonville celebrated the reopening of portions of the Northbank Riverwalk and the opening of the Riverfront Music Garden, a new riverfront space featuring interactive musical elements and a celebration of Jacksonville’s musical heritage. The revitalized area also includes the refurbished Corkscrew fitness area.
That means a walk downtown can be more than a walk. Stop to enjoy the scenery, explore a new park, listen to music or take part in a community event.
On the Northbank, Riverfront Plaza has transformed the former Jacksonville Landing site into a new public gathering space.
Phase 1 opened in late 2025 and includes an elevated destination playground, open green space, restrooms, scenic river views, and direct access to the Riverwalk. The space is designed for recreation, community events, performances, and everyday enjoyment.
For families, it’s an easy way to combine movement and play. Take a walk along the Riverwalk, let the kids burn off some energy and enjoy some time outside together.
One of Jacksonville’s newest additions is RiversEdge, located along the Southbank Riverwalk.
RiversEdge opened in fall 2025 and brings together four distinct park spaces: Heartbeat Park, Central Park, The Gym and Healing Garden Park.
And this isn’t just a place to sit and look at the river.
The park includes walking paths, fitness equipment, a playground, a boardwalk, scenic overlooks and spaces designed to encourage active lifestyles. There’s even a yoga lawn, creating a dedicated space for stretching, movement, and wellness activities.
For families, The Gym offers outdoor fitness and play opportunities, making it possible for adults and children to get moving at the same time.
Why you’ll love it: It combines exercise, recreation, nature and beautiful river views in one of Jacksonville’s newest public spaces.
Exercise doesn’t always have to mean walking on a treadmill or lifting weights.
Jacksonville’s parks have become places for community wellness activities, too.
The City of Jacksonville has partnered with organizations including Yoga 4 Change Jacksonville and the First Coast YMCA to offer fitness programming in and around the downtown Riverwalk. Past and ongoing offerings include yoga, Zumba, total-body conditioning, BodyCombat and run/walk clubs. Other Jacksonville parks have also hosted yoga and movement programs.
Yoga can be an especially appealing option for people who want to incorporate movement, flexibility, balance, and relaxation into their routine.
And the best part?
You can do it outdoors.
Keep an eye on the City’s current JaxParks programming and event calendar for upcoming classes and activities. Schedules change throughout the year, so checking the latest listings is the best way to find what’s happening near you.
One of the best things about living in Jacksonville is that you don’t have to travel far to find an outdoor space.
Jacksonville’s park system is enormous, with hundreds of parks and thousands of acres of recreational and conservation land. From neighborhood parks to regional destinations, there are places to walk, play, explore and simply spend time outside.
Some other places worth exploring include:
Sometimes the best heart-healthy activity is simply the one that’s closest to home.
Heart health isn’t only about physical activity. What we eat matters, too.
Try making your next trip to a farmers market part of your heart-healthy routine. Pick up some fresh fruits and vegetables, try a new ingredient, or find something locally grown to add to your next meal.
You don’t have to completely change the way you eat overnight.
Instead, look for small opportunities to add more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, and other heart-friendly foods to your meals.
And remember healthy eating can be enjoyable, too.
You don’t have to become a marathon runner to take better care of your heart.
Start where you are.
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s finding ways to move more and sit less while choosing activities you enjoy enough to keep doing.
Jacksonville gives us plenty of places to start.
So, grab your walking shoes, your bike, your yoga mat or your family and get outside.
Your next heart-healthy adventure may be closer than you think.
Regular physical activity is an important part of cardiovascular health, but it is only one piece of the picture. Know your numbers, keep up with recommended health screenings, eat a balanced diet, manage stress, and talk with your healthcare provider about the steps that are right for you.
Your heart works hard for you. Give it a little love in return.
