This is a very nice park with activities for young and old alike. There is green space and a…read moreboardwalk/nature trails and there is a link up to the Legacy Trail. We enjoyed walking the trails and the water feature overlooks. There are also tennis courts and a playground and a community center is located here as well. The playground is shaded and has play structures and equipment for children of all ages. There are several picnic tables and benches in this area as well. The ground is covered with wood chips for impact protection. DD really enjoyed running around and using all the equipment on our most recent visit. Located just off S. Tamiami Trail/ 41 this park is easily accessible. Visiting this park is a nice way to spend a morning or afternoon.

They've added covers to ALL the equipment! No longer do you have to suffer the heat because the…read moretents keep the playground equipment nice and cool! Highly recommended park, bathrooms and water fountain available, nearby parking.

Great park! See photos - there's a few playgrounds, tennis, full basketball court with SINGLE RIMS…read more, bathrooms, water bottle refill station with the water fountains, a bunch of roof covered picnic table spots, and good amount of parking space especially near the community center entrance. Plenty of field space to let the dog run or throw a Frisbee or something also :) Playground Has a nice main playground, swings for all ages area, smaller playground for younger, and small play area near tennis courts - see photos Restrooms Didn't use but there are two bathrooms - see photos Dog-friendliness Lots of field space for dogs to run/play, although not sure on rules about dogs at this park Picnic area Has a lot of picnic tables, all covered, maybe 10 or more throughout park - see photos

This is a very nice park in.. Wait for it.. Laurel!!! It back up onto the Legacy paved trail for…read morebikers and such. There's a covered picnic area, plauground, grassy fields, and trees. Check out Nokomis Community Park too if you like this one. Great water access for paddlecraft and views there too.

To get into the park with one person, it is $4; decent price. The woman at the entry was friendly,…read moregave me a map and a suggestion as where to start hiking since it was windy and cold when I arrived. I definitely got my money's worth, walking a little over 13 miles of trails. Most of the trails are well marked, but I did find it hard to navigate some of the trails resulting in me making a couple circles before I found the correct direction... but, extra steps aren't a bad thing, right?! There is a big lake along one of the trails. I was hoping to see a lot of wildlife here, but it wasn't super active. I did see about four different types of birds. There are a good amount of restrooms available as well as areas to have a picnic. I think most of the trails are doable for all levels of fitness as I saw several benches to rest along the way; they are also marked on the trail maps. I only went to explore for the day, but there are many campsites, a nature center, playgrounds and a beach area that I spotted in my park travels.

Forget about any fishing at Oscar Scherer fresh or brackish, there are none, even after them…read moretelling me they were going to stock the small lake toward the rear of the park year after year it's still lame, my grand kids just wanted to catch and release a few blue gills etc. and as far as the creek not much action in there to shallow and not much current. The rest of the park is wonderful though, enjoy!

It's a short walk ( the paved trail ) haven't walked the woody trail. Has a playground, pickle ball…read morecourts and basketball courts. Basketball courts are currently closed. Rating only three stars because I went twice within two weeks and each time there's someone with a lighter in a wheel chair who hangs out by the restrooms. First time I saw him he was on the floor passed out from who knows what second time he was still there but sitting on a bench near the bathrooms. Not sure how safe this place is.

Great park. Has a large pool are with slides and such but was closed for the 2020 epidemic when I…read morewas there. Basketball and tennis courts. Large playground area with different apparatus for various age groups. Some cool features I haven't seen elsewhere. All seems quite new. Also a walking trail but marking said only .5 miles. But nice treed area. Ample parking when I was there. Near Costco. Swings. Jungle gyms. Swirling climbing structure. Slide and ladders for bigger and little kiddos in separate area. Covered picnic bench areas. Very nic3 and we'll maintained park.

Located just one block east of the 41 in Osprey, Bay Street Dog Park provides a one-acre off-leash…read morepark. This is an ideal playground for dogs and their owners. Divided into two separate, fenced-in areas for large and small dogs, it ensures that every dog can play freely and safely. The park is setup with dog exercise equipment, water fountains and shaded seating. My favorite time to visit is just before dinner when there are usually plenty of dogs looking to get some socialized playtime. Enjoy!

Our first time here and love it. Lots of shade and parking. Very cute activities for large and…read moresmall dogs. I heard about this park a couple of years ago and very happy that I finally made it effort.

This is a nice preserve at the back of the larger and more forested Oscar Scherer. Set along Honore…read moreAve amidst new decelopments it features a picnic table, crushed shell parking lot that doesn't have much of a sign on the road, and a trail with some offshoots around a body of water. There are cattails. Some wildflowers. 275 isn't far and the apartment complexes are visible and nearby for much of a wildlands experience, but water features, marsh plants, and looking for birds is nice. There's a small canoe launch. Seems to be a trail connecting into Oscar Scherer. I posted a photo of the map as of March 2020. You can take a look at the trail. Nice oasis and I see bicycle riders coming from surrounding area as well as visitors from further afield. Doesn't rank up there with the beaches and wilder preserves and more scenic preserves in the area for me but I enjoyed visit and am glad it's there. Be prepared for some bugs. I got bitten by a horsefly after my hiking buddy took a photo of it on me instead so I coukd tell them what kind of insect it was instead of smashing it..

Beautiful property by the water and a nice walk with docks extending over the creek. Nice signs…read moreabout the history of the park. Downside is that every time I go there, there are huge riding lawn mowers constantly mowing the grass that doesn't appear to need mowed. They are loud and annoying, ruining any peace you might have hoped to achieve there. And then there are edgers edging, similarly unnecessarily. It never stops. Noisy and smelly.

Little walk ways near the water and plenty of areas to sit…read more Nice little park to visit with boats coming in and out of the channel.

Super Laid-back beach, campground, kayaks, etc. Very clean bathrooms. Highly recommend this beach.read more

It is a nice beach! The sand is not as great as siesta beach but still awesome! The waters are…read moreclear and mostly calm. And it is a huge beach!

Free parking! Wow! It's a quick walk to the beach. I wore flip flops and took them off to enjoy the…read morewater. There's a lot of small shells so the water is not for the weak of feet. There seems to be a strong undercurrent so the first two feet are safe and then it drops down where the waves hit and you can easily be belly or chest deep. It looks hard to get out if you get that far in. Many beachgoers were tanning or lounging under tents and sunshades. Some were drinking. There's a small rock formation I walked to where people were fishing. There is some fishing along the beach as well so be careful as you walk. The shells are mostly small fragments. There are some larger ones. Nothing worth keeping today. The showers on the way out to the parking lot helped me clean my flip flops. Looks like public bathrooms too near the lot. Nice place to walk and people watch.

Lots of parking, easy access to the beach, showers that actually work, snack bar…read more Beach is beautiful and good shark tooth hunting

Siesta Beach Experience…read more Overview: Siesta Beach is widely recognized as the number one beach in the United States. During our visit, we found the beach area to be exceptionally clean, featuring powdery white sand that added to the overall appeal of the location. The unique sand texture and well-maintained environment contributed significantly to our enjoyable experience. Parking and Arrival Tips: We parked near the Snack Bar and Gift Shop at the northern end of Siesta Beach. Although there is a substantial amount of parking available, the spaces tend to fill up quickly, especially during peak times. It is advisable to arrive early to secure a parking spot, as finding a vacant space can become challenging later in the day. Water Quality and Shoreline Experience: The water at Siesta Beach was exceptionally clear, offering excellent visibility. Near the shore, the depth was shallow, making it easy and comfortable to relax in the low points. The waves were gentle and calm, creating an inviting environment for lounging and wading. During our stroll along the beach, we discovered several shells, adding an enjoyable element to the shoreline experience. Beach Access and Amenities: Reaching the water requires a lengthy walk across the beach. To assist visitors, mats are placed at certain locations on the beach, making the walk easier and more comfortable. The Snack Bar offers a variety of food and drinks, providing convenient options for refreshments. Adjacent to the Snack Bar is a Gift Shop, which sells a range of beach-themed items and clothing, enhancing the Siesta Beach Experience. They do have a QR code they you can order food, drinks, beach chairs and some other items to be delivered to you behind the life guard stands on the Beach in case you forget your own, kind of cool, I think. Overall Impression and Rating: Based on my experience at Siesta Beach, I confidently rate it 5 out of 5 stars. The exceptional cleanliness, powdery white sand, clear water, and convenient amenities all contributed to an outstanding visit. After seeing firsthand why Siesta Beach holds the distinction of being the number one beach in the United States, I wholeheartedly agree with its reputation. Gulf Coast Terry

Visited Siesta Key Beach this past weekend and you know it's starting to warm up in Florida when…read moreyou see the beaches completely packed and you can't find parking. We drove around for about 20 minutes, looking for parking till we finally found a couple that was leaving. No matter what time you visit it's busy but the beach itself it's definitely worth it. !! A little warning it was a bit of a walk to get to the water. This is my favorite kid friendly beach. The water doesn't dip off like Venice and You can actually walk out comfortably with children. Another pro is that there's plenty of shower areas throughout the beach line. Ps: On Sundays they have a drum circle which is always a good time to see people drumming and dancing.