“BRAIN MASSAGE” — Get Some Nature Therapy At Fort Clinch State Park – Amelia Island Living eMagazine - Amelia Island Living

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For those who seek a peaceful setting in the “Great Outdoors” for a dose of nature to soothe the soul, local area residents and visitors alike spend time at wonderful Fort Clinch State Park. Be nurtured by nature at this Florida State Park’s beautiful, natural setting. Just take a walk in the woods or on the beach and you’ll likely feel better.

Various published research studies indicate the many benefits of spending time in nature. These include lowering stress, sharpening cognition, and improving emotional well-being (feeling happier and being in a better mood). Both green settings and blue coastal spaces are nurturing environments, associated with positive well-being, research indicates. However, most folks don’t need a research study to come to this conclusion. Besides being a green space, Fort Clinch State Park offers a huge dose of blue, too.

TREE CANOPY — Fort Clinch oaks draped in Spanish Moss along main park road.

Fort Clinch Memorial Benches​

When hiking or biking within this Florida State Park, there are plenty of peaceful places to sit and relax on memorial benches scattered throughout the park. People donate funds/purchase benches to honor family, friends, and volunteers who loved time spent at Fort Clinch.

This particular sentiment, pictured above, on a Fort Clinch memorial bench stood out with a perfect description of the lovely tree canopy along the park’s main corridor as being a “brain massage.” Small plaques such as this one often express insight about those who are no longer with us.

For those unfamiliar with Fort Clinch — new residents and first time visitors — the canopy road is three miles long from the park’s entrance gate to the historic fortress perched at the northern tip of Amelia Island along Cumberland Sound and the Amelia River. (The below video clip offers a glimpse of the canopy road.)

Florida State Park On Amelia Island​

Fort Clinch is one of the best places on Amelia Island for a leisurely bike ride to enjoy Amelia Island’s largest remaining natural area — over 1,400 acres. Thankfully, back in 1935, the sprawling property was preserved from development when it became a Florida State Park. This park features panoramic waterfront views with its miles of shoreline that wraps around Amelia Island’s northern tip.

Sunset, Fort Clinch.

Historic Fort Clinch Overlooks Cumberland Sound & Amelia River

Fort Clinch Jetty

Fort Clinch Deer

Cumberland Sound

Elsewhere on Amelia Island, more memorial benches are scattered in places like Egans Greenway, other island parks and around downtown Fernandina. There are lots of reminders of people held dear here in the community. The benches sometimes offer a few words of wisdom and tributes to people held in hearts around this northeast Florida barrier island. The benches are spots to take a load off, sit and ponder people who’ve passed and scenic surroundings.

Cumberland Island National Seashore​

For those in need of an even deeper brain massage, take a ferry ride to spend a day on Cumberland Island, Georgia. Amelia’s neighboring barrier island to the north is about 90% preserved from development (thanks to most of the island becoming a National Seashore back in 1972). Cumberland Island is a wondrous escape with its 17 miles of empty seashore, 9,886 acres “designated wilderness” plus another 10,500 acres classified as “potential wilderness” by the NPS.

For day trips, the Cumberland Island National Seashore ferry service departs from St. Marys, GA. The daily visitation to the National Seashore is capped at 300 people a day (an island that’s larger than Amelia Island). Needless to say, visitors enjoy a vastly different experience on neighboring Cumberland, since Amelia has become highly developed/commercialized during the last 50 years.

Related Content​

The Nature of Places — Fort Clinch State Park (published April 2021).

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