A students like to go to one of the area’s many parks to relax and enjoy time with friends. The Shoals area has some beautiful scenery not far from UNA’s campus.

Wildwood Park is very close to UNA’s campus and is more nature-oriented for those looking to get away. It offers plenty of places to go on a nature hike, mountain biking, fishing in Cypress Creek and picnics.

This park is nestled into the woods and a little more off the beaten path than others, and further into the woods from the highway.

It’s also a great location for canoeing and kayaking and provides a concrete access ramp for people choosing to do so.

“Wildwood is my favorite park because it’s a great place to find peace and quiet, enjoy the beautiful nature scenery and to hike” said UNA sophomore Grace Oaks.

Deibert Park is a little more urban than Wildwood since it is located at the intersection of Cox Creek Parkway and Darby Drive near the heart of Florence.

Along with the Children’s Museum of the Shoals, the park has a playground, picnic area, plenty of parking, ponds and walking trails.

“I love Deibert because of the walking track and all the grassy places where you can hang with friends, study or have a picnic,” said UNA junior Jordan Jones.

Deibert has a 2.85 mile concrete walking track which winds through open areas and woods in the park. The trail splinters off in different areas, allowing guests to use it for either short or long walks.

Veteran’s Memorial Park is located on Veteran’s Drive close to the Marriott hotel. Resting on the riverbank, Veterans is a prime, out of the way place for people to come to for relaxation.

Veterans is expansive and features several baseball fields, a soccer field and a nice disc golf course to enjoy.

There are also several open-air buildings and plenty of tables to host any type of occasion. With mostly wooded scenery, Veteran’s is a great place to escape the summer heat and chill out in the shade.

Spring Park is just over the O’Neal Bridge in Tuscumbia and, like the parks in Florence, has plenty to offer.

The park is designed for events and celebrations and has several areas set up for anything from family cookouts to wedding receptions.

The pond in the center of the park gets plenty of attention since many ducks decide to call it home, and people are free to feed them bread or just watch the wildlife.

During warmer weather, nighttime guests will get to see a water and light show at the pond honoring Princes Im-Mi-Ah-Key, the wife of the Chickasaw Indian Chief the city was named after. For Carleigh Brown, UNA freshman, it’s a great place to get away from campus for a while and chill.

McFarland Park is one of the larger parks in the area and is located on the Tennessee River underneath the O’Neal Bridge. It offers several playgrounds, walking trails, campsites, boat marina, floating restaurant and much more.

During the summer, it is the site for Florence’s largest July 4 celebration, along with fishing tournaments, festivals and even the Trail of Tears Commemorative Motorcycle Ride.

It is a great spot for anglers, boaters, campers, joggers, bikers, nature enthusiasts, bird watchers and even UNA students.

It’s a favorite of Andrew Harper’s, a UNA sophomore, since the park often hosts blues performers during the city’s Handy Fest weeklong celebration every summer.