Jenna’s Journey: From Parks to Purpose
Born and raised in Orlando, Florida, Jenna Workman has spent most of her life exploring the beauty and diversity of the Sunshine State. What began as a personal challenge in 2016 — to visit every Florida State Park in one year — soon became the adventure that changed her life.
Using her birthday money to purchase an annual park pass, Jenna set out on a mission to experience all the parks within 365 days. Along the way, she began documenting her travels through a blog, Jenna’s Journeys, capturing the stunning landscapes, wildlife, and hidden treasures of Florida’s natural spaces. What started as a simple goal turned into something much more meaningful — a journey of transformation, self-discovery, and a deep connection with nature.
Most of her explorations were solo or shared with her loyal travel companion, Casey. Weekends, vacations, and every bit of PTO were spent chasing trails, rivers, and coastlines across the state. In the process, Jenna not only accomplished her goal but also found a new calling — to inspire others to get outside, connect with nature, and experience the joy and peace it brings.
Her blog eventually inspired a book, Florida State Parking: A City Girl’s Exploration of the Great Outdoors, which chronicles her adventures and the lessons she learned along the way. The project, years in the making, celebrates how one woman’s quest to see it all became a story of courage, growth, and gratitude.
When she’s not exploring Florida’s great outdoors, Jenna pours her love of nature into her business, Fairy Tale Gardens, where she helps take the fear out of gardening. Through her popular Container Garden Classes, hosted at local businesses and community events, she shows others how rewarding it can be to grow their own little piece of paradise. She also designs and maintains gardens throughout DeLand and the surrounding Central Florida area.
Whether through her gardening workshops or her travel storytelling, Jenna’s mission remains the same — to help others reconnect with the natural world and discover just how life-changing that connection can be.
Follow her adventures at jennaworkman.com and learn more about her gardening journey at fairytalegardensbyjenna.com.
Florida State Parking
A City Girl’s Exploration of the Great Outdoors
Check out Jenna’s Latest Blog Posts
Everglades National Park
When I was about 19 years old, I was asked to go camping in the Everglades by my husband at the time. Now, 19 year old Jenna wanted nothing to do with the outdoors and she damn sure did not want to sleep outside with the alligators. I could not have been more scared...
The Ringling – Circus Museum
Being a Native Floridian, I pride myself on knowing my state very well so it is always a wonderful surprise when I find a new and fun place to visit. On our way home from a getaway on the southwest coast of Florida, Quin mentioned a place called The Ringling in...
Hontoon Island State Park
Hontoon Island State Park is the closest state park to my house, about 10 minutes away. My goal was since I started my year journey was to I finished my goal at that park, on my actual birthday, July 25th, one year after I started my State Parking journey. I dreamt of...