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Recreation and Things to Do - Gainesville Florida
Gainesville FL cave crawl along.
Rope Swing at Devil's Hole, near Gainesville Florida

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Gainesville residents marvel at the vast stretches of wilderness easily accessible for their enjoyment. In fact, some 65 percent of its county’s 969 square miles is wilderness, dotted with scenic lakes and wetlands. Residents can choose from 15 city parks, 5 recreation centers, 3 aquatic centers, and numerous playgrounds, and athletic fields. Ironwood Municipal Golf Course is an 18-hole, par 72 course with full amenities including a new 6,400 square foot clubhouse, complete with full food service, bar, pro shop, and banquet rooms. Sculptured around century-old pines and shimmering lakes, Ironwood is not only a beautiful setting for golf, it is a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Its natural setting, contoured fairways, and strategically placed bunkers offer golfers a tremendous opportunity to test their skills. The area has a number of nature parks, replete with trails, lush flora, and teeming with wildlife. One look at Lake Alice on the University of Florida campus will tell you why the University of Florida athletic teams go by the name of the Gators. Alligators are found in abundance, residing in this large lake and wildlife sanctuary. Set in the heart of historic downtown Gainesville, the nationally acclaimed Downtown Festival and Art Show is North Central Florida's premier fall festival of the arts. Every November, 250 of the nation's top artists display and sell their works, while thousands attend the festival’s concert venues to hear top regional and international blues and jazz artists.