Kingsley Lake (a.k.a. Strickland's Landing), located in Starke, Fl. is a place that I'll never forget. My family and I lived in Jacksonville Fl, and spent alot of time at this lake! It was fabulous! So clear and cool and definitely FUN! Our close friends, the Christophers, would go too. We always had a blast! I was very young, but I still remember! Such great memories. I learned how to swim in this lake. There were big and little slides, diving boards, piers, pavilions, and much more! I went back to visit in the early 80's and learned how to ski there too! It's not open to the public anymore which is a shame! But there are many families who now live by the lake or rent their lake homes ( I know someone who rents, if you are interested). One year we rented a cabin the same week the Christophers did. Some great fun we had too! I remember me and Timmy chasing minnows up and down the shore. I also remember always wanting to get Sugar Daddy candybars. I hope to go back and visit Kingsley Lake soon! I have many childhood memories, but this lake and it's many visits and memories are some of the most special to me. I have a few pictures placed above! The campgrounds were gorgeous! I imagine they still are!
I learned to swim here also. Some of my best childhood memories are of summer vacation days spent here long ago in the early 70s. I think we stopped going after about the mid 70s, then much later heard about it closing down, made me very sad. I recall a day in June 2010 I believe, driving back down there by myself. I drove up to the entrance, saw the no trespassing sign was lying flat on the ground face down. I climbed that fence and walked down through the weeds to the waters edge alone and sat there for about 10 minutes and cried. Then I walked back to my rental car and left. I hardly recognized where anything used to be except some covered picnic areas and a dilapidated landing that was on the side of the old boardwalk. I'll always have a special place in my heart for Strickland's Landing.....
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