Recreation & Fun

Filled with an assortment of recreational facilities to make sure a healthy, active lifestyle, the parks throughout Sarasota County serve as the ideal destinations for biking, hiking, canoeing, picnicking, camping and a lot more. So, plan an afternoon to enjoy our perfect fall weather at a single of these Top 10 Sarasota region parks:

1. Myakka River State Recreational park - Florida’s largest state park provides a step back in time when Florida was a pristine wilderness. With 45 square miles of native landscape, lakes, the Myakka River and a lot more, this park provides picnic areas, camping, cabins, boat ramps, tram tours, fishing, bird watching, hiking, and miles of trails to explore by bike or foot. Also, the park’s marshlands and forest are among the best places around to observe Florida wildlife. The recreational park is situated 9 miles E of I-75 at 13208 State Road 72.

2. Osrecreational Scherer State recreational park - A big acreage with fifteen sprawling miles of trails via beautiful organic areas offers opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and wildlife viewing. Canoeists and kayakers can paddle along South Creek, with canoe and kayak rentals obtainable. For bicycle enthusiasts, the park offers a number of trails totaling approximately 15 miles, and freshwater and saltwater fishing are obtainable along the creek. Picnic areas along South Creek are equipped with grills, and pavilions could be reserved for a small fee. The park has full-facility campsites and a youth/group campground. The park is situated on U.S. 41, just two miles south of Osprey.

3. Sarasota Bay Front Recreational park - Located in the base of downtown Sarasota, this scenic island park filled with stunning water views in each direction. Bay Front Recreational park is situated on an island peninsula right about the waters of Sarasota Bay. Sidewalks wind all close to the region, making this an excellent spot for long walks, rollerblading, and bike rides. Children will love the water fountains to splash in and also the large playground zone.

4. Gillespie Park - Located among historic homes, Gillespie Recreational park offers a quiet, natural respite just a breath away in the action of downtown. The recreational park offers 10 acres of picnicking region with children’s playground plus a shaded gazebo. Dogs on a leash are welcome.

5. Woodmere Community Park and Recreation Center - With tennis courts, a basketball court, a sand volleyball court, a character trail, children’s playgrounds, and an adjacent paw park for dogs of all sizes, Woodmere Community Park in Venice offers an abundance of actions for that whole family. Located at 3951 Woodmere Park Boulevard at Jarecreationalanda, Venice.

6. Twin Lakes Park - These were the grounds from the Royals, Mets, Twins, Indians, Reds, Dodgers and Orioles training. Now, Twin Lakes Park offers a number of recreational activities such as five major and 4 small league baseball fields, a basketball court, canoeing, fishing, a football field, a couple of outdoor handball/racquetball courts, indoor rental, a jogging trail, a multi-purpose field, a passive recreation area, an ADA playground, a big picnic shelter, five small picnic shelters, 4 soccer fields, 2 tennis courts and an ADA picnic area. Plenty for that athlete to keep busy! Situated at 6700 Clark Road in Sarasota.

7. Fruitville Recreational park - Located at 5151 Richardson Road in Sarasota Florida, the 20-acre Fruitville Park provides a fitness/jogging trail, football/soccer fields, plenty of picnicking area, tennis, volleyball and grilling facilities. Appreciate your day surrounded by lush landscaping.

8. Phillippi Estate Park - Located on the shores of Phillippi Creek, Phillippi Estate Park is really a scenic, 60-acre natural area recreational park south of downtown Sarasota and east of Siesta Crucial. The beauty from the park and facilities could be enjoyed by residents and visitors seven days a week, such as a rose garden, gazebo, children’s playground, canoe/kayak launch, nature trails, fishing piers and a lot more.

9. Lemon Bay Recreational park - Visit the butterfly garden, picnic sites and character trails at this recreational park situated on Lemon Bay, north of Dearborn Street in Olde Englewood. Nature walk adventures are obtainable January-April. Lemon Bay Park has a lot more than 200 acre of pine and scrubby Flatwoods along the natural bay shoreline, a scenic bay boardwalk, canoe launch and a large picnic pavilion.

10. South Lido Park - Set in the north end of Taft and South Blvd of Presidents on Lido Crucial, Lido Crucial Park is a great place to get away in the rush of downtown without going too far. Adjacent to the beach, the park features 2 walking nature trails and a canoeing character trail, plus volleyball courts and swimming. This is a large park that wraps around in the Gulf to Sarasota Bay offering good comfort facilities, picnic pavilions, and BBQ grills correct under the tall Australian Pines.