I love Payne Park…read more I do NOT like too many of the people that use it. Recently, the number of unsupervised kids that are riding their bikes, scooters, and electric do dads are inconsiderate with their use of the sidewalks, their total lack of attention to their surroundings and other people. These kids need more adult supervision and parents need to take more time teaching them manners. I also am taking exception to the growing number of pet owners that think THEIR dogs don't need to be properly trained, leashed, or picked up after. The 5 O'Clock group of owners that let their dogs off theie leads and let them just take over a section of the park is non-sense. Read the signs. That is not acceptable. On several occasions, while just walking I have been run up on by dogs showing their teeth. I stop, sayd nice doggy and then move on. But some day, if I do get bit by one of these unruly monsters, their entiled owners will owe me money they haven't even made yet. I would like to see more of a park police presence for a while to get the kids and dog owners back to being decent people. And to the people that are feeding the ducks and squirrels, STOP. Read the signs. You aren't doing the wildlife any favors by feeding them and you aren't doing the other people that use the park any favors either. Payne Park is beautiful; a great place to enjoy the out of doors and the wonderful weather in Sarasota. Kids and Pet owners don't have the right to ruin the experience for everyone else. Oh, and teenagers, we know you are smoking pot there. Move away from the popular walking areas. Your weed smell like skunk butt.

4 stars because the bathrooms are closed currently due to a leak . But other than that this is a…read moresuper cute place to go to and bring your toddler. This park has a variety of activities / slides , tjings to climb oh and there's a skate park on the other side. Plus the trails are nice walking here.

This is a nice community park featuring lap pool, walking trail, dog park, and a playground area…read moreand workout area in back behind the pool. The playground area has some lovely old oak trees. Arlington has some great activities for small children on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. In 2022 they also did a great Halloween trail and events including pumpkins in the pool and a Bark-o-Ween dog friendly event. There is good variety of trees and plants along the trail. The park borders a residential area and houses. There is a gym and updated bathrooms. There is a large stand of invasive Brazilian Pepper that needs removing from the park. More native plantings and no mow areas would be welcome. But overall this is a great park with a lot to offer for swimmers, walkers, dogs, children, nature lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

Everyone who works here is uptight and aggressive. From the woman (red hair) who checks people in…read moreto some of the lifeguards. The way they speak to people is rude and condescending.

Great playground lots of shade. A bit aged in some spots but no hazards. Well maintained grounds…read more Clean restroom. Picnic table. Nice little spot.

Love bird key park. It's on the smaller size but that's what makes it so nice! There's a walkable…read morearea into the water, wide sidewalk, greenery, water fountains, parking lot, and a shaded large picnic table. So perfect for anyone looking to park and walk the bridge or to enjoy the scenery without being overcrowded.

Every time we visit Sarasota, we love to turn off the Ringling Bridge and park at Bird Key Park and…read morewalk around looking at the water, the birds, the trees, and the Ringling Bridge. There is a nice paved walkway to the bridge. The tourists and locals love to walk down there and just hang out under the bridge. The views are great!! There are benches along the way to rest. The park is well taken care of and very popular with ealkets and runners and fishermen.. The parking is along the waterfront with a lot of parking spaces. You can walk your dogs as long as you clean up after them. We usually go there in the morning and again in the evening. Beautiful photo ops also.

Very nice park along the Central downtown Venice and Barcelona Avenue strip. Nice shuffleboard…read morecourt. Tennis courts. Even a wall with lainted on net to hit againdt. Two playground areas for older and younger kiddos. Some cool features and things to explore. The Centennial Park fountain you can run or wlk through is nearby too and beaches. So bring a suit. Fun climbing features. And one of those spinner things you can send your kiddos flying off of.

This is a nice community park in Venice, Florida. It has a playground for kiddos, a historical…read moremarker, some open space and shade trees. Residential area. Not farm from Venice Library and Blalock Park where there is an arboretum and butterfly garden as well as some sculptures and swings. Walk em? Nice area to enjoy. Downtown Venice is great too and the fountain there and kaleidoscope by it are fun!

Nice and nicely maintained community park. Recently added shades for the kids playground . They…read morepaved a walkway around perimeter and thankfully left most of the shade peaceful trees there - and added some others . Some picnic tables and benches added as well. Couple of doggy bag complimentary stations as well - good spot to walk your four legged pal as well.

Morning Adventures at Ashton Park We started our day bright…read moreand early with breakfast at Chick-fil-A, always a hit with the kids! Afterward, they were eager to head over to Ashton Park, one of their favorite spots, especially for the zip line. The park sits right next to the Legacy Bike Trail. We spent a little over an hour enjoying the playground and I have to say, the artificial grass instead of mulch was a big plus! No itchy bits or messy shoes. The playground is well-designed with something for every age: swings, a jungle gym, high slides, and plenty of space to run and climb. A great way to burn energy and start the day on a high note!

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.

Beautiful park in a rapidly shrinking green space in the once beautiful Sarasota, FL. Park staff…read moreare great, friendly, helpful and generally lovely. Once you're through the entrance, you can pretend Sarasota hasn't been invaded by cancerous northerners who have absolutely trashed the city and destroyed everything in their wake. You can appreciate what Sarasota once was, beautiful, natural, and covered in flora and fauna. God save Oscar Scherer!