THE NEW BARKER 31
www.TheNewBarker.com
I distinctly recall the moment I decided that I was finally ready
to move from New York to a warmer place and not just fantasize
about it anymore. It was about 5pm but already dark outside.
The temperature was in the single digits. I was clearing our
driveway with the snowblower and the bitter cold wind was
whipping the snow right back into my face and down my scarf.
My frustration brought me to tears. My husband and I had
considered the idea of moving before, but this time I knew it
was no longer a maybe; it was a definite yes.
After we figured out which state we wanted for that
warmer spot, we hit the road for a
week-long trip (and yes, we drove all
the way from Upstate New York so
our elderly Schnauzer could join
us!). We chose three coastal towns in
Florida to check out based on house
prices, job opportunities, and overall
dog friendliness of their beaches.
Northeast
Florida
and
Jacksonville beat the Tampa area
(way too much traffic and a long
drive to a dog friendly beach) and
the Punta Gorda area (seemed like a
hurricane hotspot). We felt at home
in Jacksonville. We enjoyed that it
still has that southern vibe which
other areas lacked, the people were
overtly friendly, and the traffic wasn’t
a hassle. The locals we met during
our short visit were proud of their
city and eager to share why they
enjoyed living there. We also loved
the massive city parks system.
Walking the dog in a park is one
of my favorite things to do, and with
over 400 unique parks to choose
from, you could literally go to a different one every day for over
a year without returning to the same spot twice. The beaches are
wide and clean, and we learned that all the Duval County
beaches are dog-friendly, from Mayport in the north all the way
down to Ponte Vedra on the south end making for a 22-mile
stretch of dog-friendly beach. The beaches in neighboring
counties are mostly dog-friendly too.
If you've been to Jacksonville (Jax for short) you might
know it’s the largest city in the U.S. by area and the most pop-
ulated city in the state. Even though we chose Jax as our desti-
nation, we still had to decide which neighborhood we wanted
to live in. There are dozens of choices, from historic spots like
Avondale, vibrant up-and-coming areas like Murray Hill, and
more suburban neighborhoods like Mandarin.
We were particularly drawn to Mandarin due to its lovely
established tree canopy, several city parks, its proximity to
numerous shopping centers, and two main highways. Situated in
the southernmost part of the city, right along a wide stretch of
the beautiful St. Johns River, it’s a quick 25-minute drive to
downtown, 25 minutes to the nearest beach, and less than 40
minutes to St. Augustine. Every restaurant we’ve visited
welcomes dogs on the patio.
After living in Mandarin for six years now, I've found a reg-
ular lineup of favorite spots to get some fresh air and take our
new pup, Fern, for a stroll.
Losco Park is arguably one of the
liveliest parks in the city. The giant
oaks draped in their signature
Spanish moss set a relaxing mood,
and there’s a paved walking path as
well as several longer hiking trails
that loop through the woods. With
picnic pavilions, a playground, and
sports fields, there’s always something
happening, making it a great place to
practice training with Fern.
Another local favorite is Walter
Jones Historic Park. This quaint park
is situated right on the river and
showcases the area's rich history
through a museum and historic
buildings. Recently, a stunning
bronze statue of Harriet Beecher
Stowe was added, paying tribute to
her time spent living and working
here over 140 years ago.
When I feel like getting away into
a more natural environment we head
over for a hike at Julington-Durbin
Creek Preserve. It covers 2000 acres
with several miles of well-maintained trails that wind through
tall pines and along lively creeks.
My journey from the frigid winters of Upstate New York to
the welcoming warmth of Jacksonville, Florida, has not only
transformed my living environment but also enriched my life
with vibrant parks, friendly neighbors, and a newfound sense of
ease. Embracing change isn’t always a walk in the park, but for
me, it’s turned out to be one of the best choices I ever made.
by Stephanie Means
“Fern is a 9lb all American supermutt with the most
charming ears anyone has ever seen. Adopted in 2020
straight from the shelter at S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue in
Palatka, FL his background might be a mystery, but
the future turned bright the day he came home.”
–Stephanie Means
Fern is sitting on a tree at Losco Park
Follow Fern on Instagram @JustFerningAround
S.A.F.E. Pet Rescue Inc.
112 Norma Street, Palatka, FL
904.460.0556 – www.Safe-Pet-Rescue-FL.com
Adoption locations: St. Augustine Beach, Treasure Beach, Hollister, Palatka
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