Canter Group Planning & Design Blog

          Maclay gardens, located in Tallahassee, Florida  is a remarkable example of landscape architecture.  Since the State of Florida acquired the property in 1994, the gardens and park were listed on the National Register of Historic Places as Killearn Plantation Archeological and Historic District. 1      According to the State of Florida, Maclay Gardens, part of a 1,184-acre state park, located in Tallahassee, Florida, was once home to Native Americans.  In 1825, the site became part of a land grant to the Marquis de Lafayette, and until the late 1800’s was occupied by a community of farmers (owners as well as tenant farmers) and their employees. 2      After operating as a quail plantation, the land was purchased by Alfred Maclay, a New York financier, in 1923 and used as a family retreat and hunting lodge.  1 http://www.floridastateparks.org/resources/doc/individualparks/bro...

The Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park is a 670-acre tract containing The Meadows Soccer Complex, and Meridian Park multi-use youth complex.  According the the City of Tallahassee website over 600 acres remains for passive forms of recreation, including hiking, biking and riding trails, as well as environmental education. The park is located on North Meridian Road and on Miller Landing Road, north of Maclay School. Photo near Gate B. Median at Gate B. View from Bike Trail Bike Trail

In Northwest Leon County, located on the North Shores of Lake Jackson there is a Park maintained by Leon County Parks and Recreation.  An incredibly beautiful 26 acres, with a Florida Birding Trail, 6 picnic pavilions, a mile of hard surface paths for bikes and hikers, boardwalks, playground, sand volleyball court and restrooms.  The Leon County Parks photos on their website don’t do this area justice.  The LCP&R photos are old, and many improvements have been made since they were taken.  These photos were taken October 3, 2011.    Entrance to J. Lee Vause Park, 6024 Old Bainbridge Road, Tallahassee, FL  32303 Interior of the park Sand Volleyball court with co-ed net height.  Picnic tables located in shaded corner (lower right). Park roadway viewed from picnic pavilion Playground located adjacent to pavilion One of the picnic pavilions Smaller picnic pavilion near the playground