I don't know about y'all, but I have wanted to see this park for a couple of years now, but I wanted to tie it to another adventure I had in the area.
I was paddling Rainbow River in Dunnellon with some friends, and after we parted ways, I decided to take a little 20-minute detour to Sholom Park!
Sholom Park is located, according to the zip code, in Ocala, but again, it was only a jaunt down the road from Dunnellon and is on the west side of Ocala.
It is Free to Enter!!!
If you need a little encouragement ;)
Sholom means "Peace be to you" in Hebrew. This park was created to offer anyone a place to sit with your thoughts and be with nature.
There are over 2 miles of paved trails, allowing you to wander through enchanted forests, Zen gardens, and a labyrinth.
You can park on the main drive, but if there isn't any space, I saw people parking further toward the front in the grass of the paved driveway.
At the end of the road is the welcoming structure with the map and bathhouse (restroom).
I started by exploring the Zen garden. Tranquil-themed music plays throughout the space disguised by rock speakers, not loud, but enough to set the mood.
There are plenty of places to sit and ponder thoughts, or you can grab a tool and enjoy the relaxing work of raking rocks in a life-size Zen garden.
This place is filled with expansive green pastures to play, have picnics, and see some geese.
In one of the pastures is a small amphitheater.
Winding my way along the trails I found myself shuffling through a canopy of trees leading me to a vine-covered gazebo.
Feeling the fairytale vibes, I soon found myself in the enchanted forests with gnomes shyly hiding in the trees and fairies dancing among the azalea bushes.
I visited this place in late February, which is the peak time for azaleas to bloom. I had hiked through azaleas at Ravine Garden State Park, but all the flowers were the same color. It wasn't till I saw them here that I found they could spring up into a variety of colors ranging from vibrant fuchsia to Disney princess snow white.
The forest trail gave way to views of the water. A large pond full of koi fish and geese friends.
You can feed the koi fish from the bridge, just make sure you have quarters!
I eventually circled back to the main structure, this time veering left through the green iron gate into the formal garden, eager to get lost in the labyrinth.
A frequent visitor told me it was inspired by the gardens at Versailles. I haven't been to Versailles yet, but I will attest that this part of the park takes you on a journey. Over trickling streams, high vine walls of camellia bushes, with the chance for respite under trestles wrapped in roses.
Keep in mind different flowers and trees bloom throughout the year.
How lovely it was seeing people not on their phones walking the trails, kids playing in the large green pastures, everyone being wowed by nature instead of a TikTok dance, taking a moment to be present and enjoy this beautiful planet we get to live on.
I think the creators of this park would be happy to know that the park is still providing people peace in a technology-filled world.
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