Blountstown Greenway/Sam Atkins Park

Begin at Sam Atkins Park and leave your vehicle at the large parking area beside the baseball diamonds. Wander the park perimeter where the pines support Red-headed Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch and Eastern Bluebird. The north side of the park has two viewing structures on a small pond and a boardwalk through a swamp (listen for Swainson’s Warbler and Wood Thrush in spring). The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement on the park’s northern boundary is a living history museum with a short woodland trail. Evening Bats and Brazilian Free-tailed Bats share bat houses installed among the historic buildings. To access the greenway/paved bike path, return to the parking area near the entrance and look for the Florida National Scenic Trail sign. The greenway runs 3.3 miles on portions of an old railroad bed through Blountstown and south to Neal Landing on the Apalachicola River. You may encounter Bald Eagle, Broad-winged Hawk and Mississippi Kite. More than 60 species of butterflies have been identified in the county; be alert for Palamedes Swallowtail, Tawny Emperor, American Snout, Sleepy Orange and Red-spotted Purple.