Bird watching, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, kayaking & canoeing just 1 mile away from the Herlong Mansion. Paynes Prairie is biologically, geologically and historically unique. This park became Florida´s first state preserve in 1971 and is now designated as a National Natural Landmark. Noted artist and naturalist William Bartram called it the great Alachua Savannah when he wrote about his visit to the prairie in 1774.