Editing St. Simons, Georgia (section)

== Sports and activities ==
The climate on St. Simons Island is conducive to various outdoor sports and activities year-round. Golfing is one of the most popular, with seven golf courses on the island.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Saint Simons Island, Georgia Golf Courses|url = http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/city.aspx?dest=Saint+Simons+Island+GA|website = www.golflink.com|access-date = 2016-01-14|archive-date = May 31, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160531151423/http://www.golflink.com/golf-courses/city.aspx?dest=Saint+Simons+Island+GA|url-status = dead}}</ref> Public tennis courts are located at Epworth Park and Mallery Park, each with lines marked for [[pickleball]], a fast-growing paddle sport. Several island resorts also offer tennis facilities.

Eight public parks are on the island, with picnic tables, sports fields, and playgrounds. Demere Park features a skate park, and Gascoigne Park offers a disc golf course and a waterfront picnic area. The Neptune Park Fun Zone, on the south end of the island, near the Pier Village, includes a public swimming pool, miniature golf, two playgrounds, picnic tables, and restrooms.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Glynn County, GA - Official Website - Parks|url = http://www.glynncounty.org/index.aspx?NID=1322|website = www.glynncounty.org|access-date = 2016-01-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goldenisles.com/listing/neptune-park-fun-zone|title=Neptune Park Fun Zone|website=www.goldenisles.com}}</ref> The adjacent St. Simons Casino Building hosts weddings, parties, meetings, and is home to the St. Simons Library.

Beach access points are along the island's Atlantic shoreline, but the most popular are Coast Guard Beach and Massengale Park. Both have restrooms and ADA-accessible beach access. Massengale Park also includes picnic tables and a playground.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Glynn County, GA - Official Website - Beaches and Pools|url = http://glynncounty.org/index.aspx?nid=1498|website = glynncounty.org|access-date = 2016-01-14}}</ref>

Hikers, walkers, and bikers can enjoy the St. Simons Island-wide Trail System that stretches from the Village area to East Beach and Hampton Point at the north end.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Island-Wide Trail System {{!}} PATH Foundation|url = https://pathfoundation.org/trails/island-wide-trail-system/|website = pathfoundation.org|access-date = 2016-01-14|archive-date = March 24, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160324124046/http://pathfoundation.org/trails/island-wide-trail-system/|url-status = dead}}</ref> Other options include the Alice Richards Botanical Trail in Frederica Park, the John Gilbert Nature Trail just off Frederica Road, the Southeast Georgia Health System Fitness Trail near Gascoigne Bluff, and Cannon's Point Preserve (appropriate clothing and provisions for a wilderness area are recommended). Additional outdoor activities include [[kayaking]], [[paddleboarding]], and horseback riding. Boating and sailing excursions are also available.

===Neptune Park===
Neptune Park includes the Neptune Park Fun Zone and is in the "village" area and adjacent to the pier. Neptune Park was named after Neptune Small, a man enslaved by Retreat Plantation owner Henry King. King and his brothers fought for the Confederacy in the [[American Civil War]], with Small going with him. King was killed at the [[Battle of Fredericksburg]]. When night fell and King had not returned from the battlefield, Small went to look for him. Small found King's body and personally brought it back from Virginia to St. Simons for burial (at Christ Church). Legend has it that the King family gave Neptune Small 8 acres of their plantation, part of which is now Neptune Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/neptune-small-1831-1907|title=Neptune Small (1831-1907)|website=New Georgia Encyclopedia}}</ref>  However, there is no evidence of Small owning that area or of the King family giving him any land. He did own several acres of land a little west of the current Neptune Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/local_news/a-new-twist-in-neptune-smalls-story/article_f50ba7a9-0290-5c45-8e50-a2a2cabd3452.html|title=A new twist in Neptune Small's story|website=The Brunswick News|date=June 23, 2018 }}</ref>

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File:The pier in Neptune Park, St. Simons Island, GA, US.jpg|The pier at Neptune Park
File:The Casino, Neptune Park, St. Simons Island, GA, US.jpg|The Casino at Neptune Park (the third so-named building)
File:Casino inside, Neptune Park, St. Simons, GA, US.jpg|Inside the Casino
File:Neptune Park, St. Simons Island, GA, US.jpg|Neptune Park
File:Old Casino, 1930, St. Simons, GA, US.jpg|Old Casino (demolished)
File:Neptune Small plaque, St. Simons, GA, US.jpg|Neptune Small plaque<ref>Inscription: '''NEPTUNE SMALL''' For generations, residents and visitors have enjoyed Neptune Park, named for Neptune Small, a faithful servant of the Thomas Butler King family at Retreat Plantation, now the home of the Sea Island Golf Club. Born into slavery in 1831, Neptune accompanied one of the King sons, Henry Lord Page King, as manservant when he enlisted in the Confederate Army. During the battle of Fredericksburg in 1862, Captain King was killed. When night fell, Neptune retrieved King's body and brought it home for burial in the family burial ground at Christ Church, Frederica, St. Simons. Although he could have chosen to remain at home, Neptune returned to the war as a manservant to the youngest King son, R. Guyler King. After the war the King family gave this portion of Retreat Plantation to Neptune who, as a freedman, had chosen "Small" as his last name for his slight stature. Neptune died in 1907 and is buried in the Retreat burial ground. This marker and live oak tree are given and dedicated by Sea Island Company to his memory.</ref>
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