Palatka Riverfront Park

As we’ve watched the waterfront of downtown Palatka evolve over the decades, we have to say that it’s never looked better. A great amount of thought went into rebuilding this part of the city – anchored on J.C. Godwin Park and its marina – to showcase the outstanding view of the river.

Bartram's Bass sculpture in Riverfront Park, Palatka — Bartram’s Bass sculpture in Riverfront Park, Palatka

Resources

Explorers Guide North Florida and Panhandle

Overview

Location: Palatka
Address: 100 Memorial Pkwy, Palatka, FL 32177
Fees: None
Restrooms: Yes, at the marina and the St. Johns River Center
Land manager: Putnam County
Phone: 386-326-2704

Open 24 hours. Dogs must be leashed.

Directions

From SR 19, follow SR 100 east to where it merges with US 17. Continue south along US 17 through downtown Palatka, making the final right turn off US 17 just before the bridge over the St. Johns River, onto First Street.

Parallel parking is available along First Street, or continue down past the Hampton Inn and the riverfront playground to the large parking lots by the marina.

Details

From this vantage point, the St. Johns is cradled by shorelines dense with cypress trees. Recently re-imagined to showcase the beauty of the St. Johns River, the park offers a quarter-mile riverfront walk with panoramic views.

Much of the planning behind the park rests with inspiration from William Bartram. It anchors the Bartram Trail in Putnam County, with the prominent St. Johns River Center at the north end of the park serving as the trail’s official welcome center.

Launch point at Palatka Riverfront Park — Site of the soft launch and Bartram Marker 4

Across the street from the River Center, walk down the park paths to an observation deck that looks out towards the Old Memorial Bridge across the St. Johns.

That bridge now serves as a fishing pier. But near where bridge and park meet, you’ll find Bartram Trail Marker 4 along the shore, enticing paddlers to stop and take a look at Palatka, or to slip their boats in here at the soft launch.

Palatka Riverwalk — Interpretive signs add to the enjoyment of following the Riverwalk

From here, a riverwalk meanders south against the river’s northward flow. Benches and observation stops extend for a quarter mile along the waterfront, passing a new playground.

William Bartram – and nature – are the focal points of this re-imagined play area. It includes a splash pad.

Nature-themed playground in Riverfront Park — Bartram-themed European-style playground in Riverfront Park

The pathway ends at a new building at the marina, where a showy sculpture echoes one of John Bartram’s illustrations from his journey along the St. Johns River in 1774.