Thornby Park

Just off the Spring to Spring Trail in Deltona, Thornby Park is a 38 acre patch of Old Florida where the Thornby homestead once stood.

One corner of the forest contains a massive “Inspiration Playground” for outdoor play, adjoined by picnic tables.

Inspiration Playground

Circled by a nature trail, the remainder of the park is a natural haven for wildlife, with the history of the land interpreted at several stops.

The park also serves as a trailhead and rest stop for cyclists and walkers on the Spring to Spring Trail, which extends from Green Spring Park to De Leon Springs State Park.

Nature Trail

Resources

Resources for exploring the area

Central Florida Orlando Explorers Guide book cover

Hikers Guide to the Sunshine State book cover

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Overview

Location: Enterprise
Length: 0.5 mile
Trailhead: 28.8659, -81.2556
Address: 110 Providence Blvd, Deltona
Fees: Free
Restroom: Adjoining the playground
Land Manager: City of Deltona
Phone: 386-878-8100

Open sunrise to sunset. Picnic tables with grills adjoin the playground.

Directions

From Interstate 4 at DeBary, exit onto DeBary Ave and follow it east for 1.9 miles to Providence Blvd. Turn right and continue a quarter mile to the park entrance on the right.

Hike

Start at the upper end of the parking lot, walking around the playground on a sidewalk to an marked trailhead entrance.

Using an accessible boardwalk, cross a sometimes-soggy area within view of a marshy pond hidden in the woods.

Trailhead at west edge of playground

The boardwalk ends at a pine duff path with a side trail to an outdoor classroom. The remainder of the trail is natural surface.

Circling the pond, pass a bench before reaching the next boardwalk. Wading birds take advantage of the open water of the pond on the near shore.

Marshy pond

The second boardwalk guides the trail through a palm hammock into a hardwood forest. Magnolias and oaks tower overhead.

Longleaf pines of significant girth adjoin the path. Saw palmetto and swarms of grapevines fill in the understory.

Lush forest with footpath and boardwalk in distance

Descent to second boardwalk

The deep channel of the creek is half-hidden by the forest mere steps off the footpath. A break in the canopy reveals even taller pines on the far boundary of the park.

This remnant of ancient forest along the north shore of Lake Monroe (part of the St. Johns River) was preserved because it was part of a homestead dating to the 1920s.

Lush hardwood hammock

Under the dappled shade of magnolias, pass a bench, the trail winding deeper into the majestic forest. The canopy opens up a quarter mile into the walk.

Pause at the old railroad trestle made into a bridge to nowhere. The sign explains it’s a remnant of a century-old mule-powered narrow gauge.

The mule-powered railroad was once used to deliver citrus and produce to the docks on the lake.

Replica of narrow-gauge trestle

Narrowing, the path winds into a thicket of sword fern. By the increase in ornamental paths, you’re nearing the grounds of the old homestead.

A trail junction has a bridge to the left. Walk straight ahead past it, marveling at the height of the magnolias and the size of the live oaks.

Sword ferns under a large southern magnolia

Southern magnolia and ferns

Thick draperies of Spanish moss sway overhead in the breeze off the lake, obscuring the sky. Trail’s end is at the edge of Lakeshore Drive.

Lake Monroe is visible through the cypresses on the opposite side. Cars come around this curve quicker than they should, so if you cross for a closer look, use caution.

Streak of blue water beyond trees and narrow road

Lake Monroe beyond Lakeshore Drive

Turn around and return to the bridge, using it to cross the creek. The path is much broader here and splits in two beneath the oaks and palms.

Bear right, walking past a healthy bed of ginger. Sword fern covers most of the forest floor, and citrus trees scent the forest with a memorable aroma in winter.

Bridge into the old gardens

More ornamental flowers and palms appear along a grand alley beneath the ancient live oaks. Past a bench is an interpretive sign about the Thornby House.

The home should have been preserved like the nearby DeBary Mansion but burned down in 2003.

Bench under large live oak and interpretive sign

Garden spot and interpretation

Continue along the broad path beneath the oaks and a handful of citrus trees, emerging from the forest in front of the park sign at its entrance.

Turn left and walk up the sidewalk to the north end of the parking area to complete this half mile loop.

Returning to the trailhead

Trail Map

Explore More!

Learn more about the Spring to Spring Trail

Cyclist headed along bike path into forest

Spring to Spring Trail A paved bike path to link Volusia County's major springs, the Spring to Spring Trail provides a growing network of trail and park connectivity.

Video

A walk through Thornby Park

Slideshow

See our photos from Thornby Park

Nearby Adventures

Green Springs Park An unearthly glowing bowl in shades of green, the centerpiece of an ancient forest at Green Springs is surrounded by gurgling streams and the trails that follow them.

Long narrow boardwalk over marsh to pines

Audubon Park In 60 acres of green space that gently reclaims stormwater through a series of marshes, Audubon Park lets birders and hikers enjoy a quiet walk adjoining a beauty spot along the East Central Regional Rail Trail.

Gemini Springs Park With nearly 5 miles of gentle woodland paths and paved trails, playgrounds, picnic area, paddling trail and a dog park, Gemini Springs Park is a popular, well-connected getaway

Cassadaga Fairy Trail Let your imagination take wing on one of Florida's most unusual footpaths, a walk in the woods blending art, enchantment, and nature.

Official Website