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Erna Nixon Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,339 Google reviews · Running trail in West Melbourne, Florida · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Loop distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Erna Nixon Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
53.93-acre area with outdoor events & nature trails that wind through 3 different ecosystems.
What runners say about Erna Nixon Park
“The kids really enjoyed it, and the restroom facilities were convenient and clean.”
“It was too cold to spot any wildlife, but the scenery with the trees and nature was still beautiful.”
“Only saw lizards, a pileated woodpecker and a squirrel but it was lovely predominantly shaded and a very nice walk with my aging father.”
“We went to this park again today morning and loved walking on the boardwalk in such a quiet natural environment.”
We went to this park again today morning and loved walking on the boardwalk in such a quiet natural environment. I went to this park myself this morning and it was really a pleasant experience walking on the boardwalk through a jungle like preserved area enjoying the sound of crickets, wind, birds, and trees nothing…
I was not expecting how pretty this park is! I enjoy finding off the beaten path little nature preserves, and this place hit the spot with a short morning stroll around the boardwalk loop, taking in the plant life and enjoying the sunlight filtering through the dense canopy. There's a butterfly garden path.
Pleasant walking area that is mostly shaded, so if you want to escape the sun, this is the trail for you. It's mostly more scenic than wildlife. There are plenty of benches if you need a break or can not walk far. We enjoyed it here.
Really a beautiful park with an elevated board walk, nice place for a low impact stroll! It's really relaxing with out sharing the trail with joggers and bikes!
Trail conditions & character
“This park is centered around its circular-ish walking trail, mostly on a raised boardwalk, through a variety of local ecosystems.”
“It was too cold to spot any wildlife, but the scenery with the trees and nature was still beautiful.”
“The boardwalk actually seems ADA accessible which was a pleasant surprise to see.”
“Only saw lizards, a pileated woodpecker and a squirrel but it was lovely predominantly shaded and a very nice walk with my aging father.”
“It’s a large boardwalk loop with lots of beautiful scenery.”
“We went to this park again today morning and loved walking on the boardwalk in such a quiet natural environment.”
“The kids really enjoyed it, and the restroom facilities were convenient and clean.”
Plan your run at Erna Nixon Park
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadrestrooms — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitebrevardfl.gov
- Phone(321) 952-4525
Running trails near West Melbourne
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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