Parrish Park is one of those parks that uses land that might otherwise go unused beneath major…read morebridges, in this case, the A. Max Brewer Memorial Parkway, and turn it into a recreation space. Parks like this provide ideal staging areas for outdoor activities such as walking, cycling, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing along scenic waterfronts. Parrish Park serves as the gateway to Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. It was named in honor of the prominent Parrish family, who were early pioneers, citrus grove owners, and influential business leaders in the Space Coast region. State Senator J.J. Parrish's family has multiple local landmarks bearing their name, including the local Parrish Medical Center. The Parrish family is highly regarded in Titusville for their community investments and philanthropic efforts. Parrish Park spans 37 acres along the Indian River Lagoon. It is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and other water sports. It is also the eastern terminus of the 250-mile Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail, which stretches across the state to St. Petersburg. The park's developed northwest section features a large paved parking area and a boat ramp capable of accommodating larger vessels. Launching here provides easy access to the lagoon, where dolphins and manatees are frequently spotted. The park has also become one of the Space Coast's most popular locations for watching SpaceX rocket launches. Parrish Park was once intended to become the new home of Dummitt Castle, a historic 22-room octagonal wooden mansion built in 1881 by Italian nobleman Douglas Dummitt and his wife, an Anheuser-Busch heiress. As NASA expanded the nearby spaceport, preservationists relocated the mansion to Parrish Park with plans to restore it as a museum. Sadly, before restoration could be completed, vandals burned the castle to the ground in 1967. In 2020, the park underwent significant improvements, including new pavement, seawall construction, and habitat restoration projects designed to protect spawning horseshoe crabs. The work generated local discussion about how to balance public access with environmental conservation. Parrish Park extends along the entire causeway between the Max Brewer Bridge and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. It is an official stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a statewide network of more than 500 premier wildlife-viewing sites. During fall and winter there have been regular sightings of Buffleheads, Lesser Scaup, Dunlin, Common Loons, and Horned Grebes. Wading birds such as Reddish Egrets and Roseate Spoonbills are sometimes present, while Ospreys and Bald Eagles can be seen overhead. On both sides of the causeway are Royal Terns, Black Skimmers, Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, and Ruddy Turnstones. During some winters, rare Long-tailed Ducks and Surf Scoters have been recorded here. This park draws boaters, bikers riding the Coast-to-Coast Trail, swimmers, and wildlife and rocket launch photographers and enthusiasts. A peak below the bridge can reveal more than you might initially think.

Great place to see a bit of the sun set…read more Located off the. Ridge so you ncan bit keep you're eyes out for the turnoff

This 92-acre Brevard County park, located behind the Eastern Florida State College gymnasium, is an…read moreexample of how environmental restoration and public recreation can coexist together. It was created through a unique partnership among Brevard County Natural Resources Watershed Management, Eastern Florida State College, the City of Titusville, the St. Johns River Water Management District, and Parrish Medical Center. Within the park is a series of interconnected lakes designed as a stormwater treatment system that cleans runoff from both Titusville and unincorporated Brevard County before it enters the Indian River Lagoon. Wetland vegetation naturally filters pollutants from the water, improving its quality before it returns to the environment. Without this treatment, stormwater runoff can contribute to algal blooms, muck accumulation, fish kills, and other ecological problems that threaten the lagoon's health. Beyond its environmental benefits, the restored wetlands provide valuable habitat for wildlife, particularly Florida's wading birds, while offering visitors opportunities for nature observation and outdoor recreation. The park contains a variety of habitats, including artificial lakes, freshwater wetlands, salt marshes, mangrove communities, and hardwood and sabal palm hammocks. Visitors can explore approximately three miles of paved trails, including a scenic 2.6-mile loop for walking, running, and cycling. Additional amenities include a five-story wildlife observation tower offering a stunning view of the wetlands, athletic fields, picnic pavilions, playgrounds, and access to the surrounding trail network. The park is an official stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, a statewide network of more than 500 premier wildlife-viewing sites. It is well known for its abundant wildlife, and visitors can expect to see Ospreys, herons, egrets, turtles, and alligators, one reason swimming is prohibited in the lakes. During my visit, I spotted Black Vultures, a Great Blue Heron, and a Great Egret. Other species frequently seen here include Wood Storks, Glossy Ibises, Cattle Egrets, Mottled Ducks, Laughing Gulls, and Forster's Terns. Roseate Spoonbills make occasional appearances, along with Bald Eagles while ospreys are common throughout the park. During migration along the hammock trails you may find songbirds such as Prairie Warblers in spring and fall, or Painted Buntings during the winter months. The park also hosts the annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife Festival, one of the largest birding festivals in the country. Cyclists will appreciate that the park serves as a trailhead for both the Brevard Coast-to-Coast Trail and the East Coast Greenway, providing miles of additional scenic riding along the corridor that parallels US 1. Chain of Lakes Park demonstrates how wetlands can improve water quality, support wildlife, and help protect one of Florida's most valuable ecosystems while also making a great recreational space for wildlife photography, walking, cycling, and play in a beautiful natural setting.

Beautiful park with a nice playground. The park itself has all kinds of things like a soccer field…read moreand more. It's huge but we only went to the playground area. There's a few benches and picnic tables. It's clean with pretty surroundings.

Nice fishing some days good something's not but never leave without catching something also Thier…read moreskate park is fun to

Dates: July 8 - 9, 2024…read more We stayed here for one night to watch the Space X launch. This marina is just past the bridge. If you come here for a launch, you can see the majority of it from your boat. You won't be able to see the launch pad itself from here because of the bridge. There are several locations nearby for a better view of the pad. The staff was very friendly and informative, and dock hands were available to assist with the lines. The marina has laundry facilities and bathrooms with showers available for guest use. There is also a nice marina store up at the main office. They also have dock carts and Walmart makes deliveries here, making provisioning easy. Uber was available if you want to explore the town. Manatees hang out in this area, so be mindful when coming in. The docks are fixed and in good shape, just dated. We needed 50AMP service and it worked perfectly. We only stayed for one night passing through the area and would stay here again for a quick stop or to watch another launch. With a 3'4" draft we had plenty of depth to on approach.

This is a truly wonderful place with beautiful decor. It has come such a long way! I absolutely…read morelove coming here to enjoy the peace and nature. Plus, Andrew who works there is always respectful and so helpful with loading me in and out safely.

I reserve two single kayaks a week before I wanted to try this place. Emails and directions are…read morevery clear. When I arrived staff was helpful and guiding me along the way so that I could see otters. It was a very quick process to get in the water, but it did get crowded toward midday and on the way back in. I would highly recommend clothes that can get wet, bringing snacks and water and a hat or sunglasses. A dry bag if you have it but if you want one, they do sell them where you check in.

It was really pretty and nice spot just no manatees yet! Giving 4 stars still because it was very…read moreclean and nice spot

This past summer 2022, after putting nearly 2000 miles on the truck driving all around Florida from…read morethe top to Key West, back up and all around, resound ourselves Leaving Titusville, bound for Savannah, Georgia. Despite our travels through many natural areas, no one in our family had yet seen a manatee... One of those silly bucket list things you include when you visit Florida... Especially when you are not from Florida. Not really knowing where to begin, we happen to be talking about it at our Cracker Barrel breakfast, when our 15 year old server overheard us and offered a few suggestions. Among them was the Manatee observation deck and the Merritt Island reserve. It seemed as good a place to try as Anny, considering the name, and not really having any better ideas, we typed it into ways, and started up the road. The Merritt Island reserve was actually one of the more beautiful places we visited on our trip. Lots of wildlife, large wading birds, birds of prey, gopher tortoises walking all over the place, and several furry creatures that ran across the road so quickly we could not quite identify them. After driving way out into the reserve, lost in the Paulmeadows in the wetlands, we saw a sign on a modest turn off for the manatee observation deck, and used every single bit of pavement with a 25 foot trailer behind my truck. The parking lot turned out to be a little smaller than I had anticipated, but we managed to find the long stretch of curb in the small lot for our truck and trailer, and walked out to the unassuming concrete deck with a small railing near the water. Imagine my family's delight to see dozens of manatees gently feeding in the shallows right beneath us. Large adults, smaller juveniles, and some sized in between... More manatees than I could count. Many of them have the telltale scars of boat props on their backs, but for the time being, they were quietly swimming around in the shallow murky water. A group of kayakers came up and kept their distance, enjoying the view from the water. I actually think our view was better, since we were a little bit above them, and could really see everything going on. Check off the box on our list next to "see a manatee". This place made it very easy, and the bonus was an absolutely breathtaking drive through some beautiful Florida natural area.

We had a BLAST with Captain Brain Pounds last weekend! Brian knew exactly where to go and put us on…read moresome huge fish! He provides all you need, boat, bait and tackle. I am by no means a fisherman, but with Brian's guidance, I was able to snag a Red fish that was too big to keep!! If you are looking for an experienced, knowledgeable charter fishing captain in the central Florida area, contact Mr. Pounds!

From the owner: Besides the views of NASA and the wildlife of Canaveral National Seashore, clients can expect to…read morecatch Redfish, Black Drum, Trout, Tarpon, and Snook out of a 2015 Sterling TR7 tunnel skiff.  When booking a trip with Southern Fishing Charters and Captain Brian Pounds, you will receive a first class outdoor fishing adventure! We are always ready to bend some rods and stick some fish when you are!

What is now Sand Point Park occupies a 30 acre peninsula extending into the Indian River, but this…read morebeautiful waterfront park has a deep history dating back to the Civil War. During the Civil War, Confederate forces used this sandy, rocky stretch of land as a salt works, essential for preserving food. After the war, a group of British investors established the Florida Provision Company, using the site as a shipping point for the fruits, vegetables, and seafood harvested by the early settlers of LaGrange and Merritt Island and transporting them to markets along the East Coast. In 1868, Mary Hopkins Titus, the wealthy wife of Titusville founder Colonel Henry T. Titus, purchased 73.3 acres at Sand Point from the defunct Florida Provision Company. This acquisition became the original core of what would grow into the City of Titusville. The Titus family arrived that same year, with Colonel Titus opening a sawmill and a general store. He soon established a regular mule-team route connecting Sand Point with Enterprise on the St. Johns River, bringing settlers, mail, and supplies to the growing community. The settlement flourished and became a well-known stop for steamers traveling the Indian River. Today, nothing remains of the original settlement in the park except perhaps the name. Legend has it hat the town was originally named Sand Point. It was renamed in 1873 after Colonel Titus won the naming rights in a game of dominoes against rival Captain Clark Rice. The community was officially renamed Titusville in honor of its founder. Today the site has been transformed into Sand Point Park, a beautiful 29.88-acre community park along the Indian River where visitors can relax and enjoy spectacular waterfront views. The park offers a wide variety of recreational amenities. A paved walking path features a 0.66-mile fitness trail with exercise stations winding through the grounds. Visitors will also find baseball and softball fields, boat ramps, picnic areas, pavilions with grills, playgrounds, a splash pad, and restrooms. The park's largest pavilion accommodates up to 250 people, includes a kitchen, and is available to rent for private events. I really enjoyed my visit to Sand Point Park. From the shoreline, I was able to see the beautiful views of the Indian River and the nearby Max Brewer Bridge while watching ospreys, pelicans, and other coastal birds that call this area home. Whether you're looking for a peaceful place to take a walk, enjoy a picnic, launch a boat, or let the kids play, Sand Point Park offers something for everyone. Come for an hour or spend the entire day, you'll find plenty to enjoy in this historic waterfront park.

The new all inclusive playground at Sand Point Park is amazing! This is a great addition to Brevard…read moreon the northern side. This playground is easy to find with lots of parking. I love all the shade and trees at this park. I appreciate that the park is gated. This option makes it less likely for your child to slip out and that makes my kids feel safer. This playground is all inclusive meaning children with accessibility needs can enjoy it too. There are lots of slides, various swings and loads of fun climbing features. This park is really big which is nice because it can accommodate a large group of kids which is ideal in downtown Titusville. My youngest son really loves the music section. There are elements to make sound and play. There really is something for every child's needs/wants. The bathroom is a bit of a walk but it there is one nearby. There is also a splash pad nearby as well. This is a great park with lots of great features and I highly suggest you check it out if you live in the spacecoast and want to give your kids a fun day.

i asked the guy on the phone if they had specific type of bait. He didn't have the bait. before I…read morecould close the call he said what a pain in the ass. has I was bother him for asking. keep playing with your dead shrimp. buddy

If I'm heading to Titusville to fish, Captain Hooks is always my first stop. They provide excellent…read morecustomer service and they are always willing to give some friendly advice. Plus their prices are pretty dang good too! I remember one time I came in to buy bait and I realized that I needed batteries for my bait aerator. I asked one of the owners if they sold batteries and instead of charging me she gave me the batteries for free. That really solidified my view of Captain Hooks. They are honest and good business owners. If you're looking for fresh mullet, shrimp, crabs, tackle, rods, etc. in Titusville, then make sure to stop at Captain Hooks.

This was a very nice and relaxing trial to walk. It was very quiet maybe saw one other group while…read moreI was wrapping up my walk. I saw some small animals on the trial. There was a very nice breeze walking by the ocean. There was parking right next to the entrance of the trial.

While exploring the space coast, we found this national coastline. The gate guard was amazing! He…read morewas friendly & helpful. We had a disabled veteran traveling with us & he informed us that we get in free & that he gets a free park pass that gets him & his party in free to any national park & half off fees when applicable. That was so helpful! The welcome center is very clean with the best bathrooms in the park. There's a small gift shop with passports & patches, if you collect them. The parking lots have compost toilets which can vary in cleanliness. They have sanitizing stations, but no water or showers. The beach is very nice & was not heavily populated while we were there. There is a nude beach as well, but we stayed away. Ha! The sand is not your average sand. It is shells. It is very sticky & takes a sticky brush to remove. BUT!! This makes it an awesome beach for shelling! We found tons of whole conch shells! There is a lot of wildlife including manatees in the summer. We saw a ton of armadillos & some dolphins. It's just a fun time! We have been back twice & both times were great. We're going back again soon. *The beaches have handicap access. They have viewing areas without going into the sand. There are a lot of places to fish & kayak. Take a cooler & spend the day! No glass or pets allowed.*

We love stopping by this bait shop! The shrimp are always fresh, and it's become our go-to place…read morealways for bait. Everyone is friendly and welcoming, and the little girl who is often there is absolutely adorable and always so sweet. Great service, great bait, and a family-friendly atmosphere. We look forward to coming back every time! Support the locals!

A quick in and out trip to pick up some frozen bait. Great service and prices for two bags of…read morefrozen shrimp.