CHARLOTTE COUNTY PARKS

Port Charlotte Beach State Recreation Area*
Don Pedro Island State Recreation Area
Gasparilla Island State Recreation Area
Cayo Costa State Park

Southwest Florida Parks

Caladesi Island State Park
Cayo Costa State Park
Collier-Seminole State Park
Dade Battlefield State Historic Site
Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Recreation Area
Don Pedro Island State Recreation Area
Egmont Key State Park
Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve
Fort Cooper State Park
Gamble Plantation State Historic Site
Gasparilla Island State Recreation Area
Highlands Hammock State Park
Hillsborough River State Park
Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area
Koreshan State Historic Site
Lake Manatee State Recreation Area
Lake June in Winter State Recreation Area
Little Manatee River State Recreation Area
Lovers Key / Carl E. Johnson State Recreation Area
Mound Key State Archaeological Site
Myakka River State Park
Oscar Scherer State Park
Paynes Creek State Historic Site
Skyway State Fishing Pier
Ybor City State Museum

FLORIDA PARKS

By Kendra Helmer
Sun Herald Writer

Charlotte County is home to more than 35 parks, 14 of which are developed and offer a variety of activities, such as fishing, swimming, shuffleboard, basketball, baseball, football, playgrounds and nature trails.

Listed below are some of the county's more visited parks, followed by a complete list of parks.

Kiwanis Park

Visitors can walk on a boardwalk fitness/nature trail through this park, delighting in a variety of wildlife. Children can enjoy the playground equipment while others can relax in two shelters ideal for picnics. A pond surrounds the shelters. The park is located off Midway Boulevard in Port Charlotte.

Port Charlotte Athletic Complex

Athletes frequent this park, which has a full indoor basketball court, five baseball fields, volleyball and tennis courts, horseshoes, playground and indoor meeting rooms. The park, which has a concession stand and restrooms, is located on Harold Avenue in Port Charlotte.

Port Charlotte Beach Complex

Located on the harbor, this park offers swimming in a pool or in the harbor, fishing, baseball, basketball, tennis, volleyball, horseshoes and a playground. There is a boat ramp, concession stand, shelters and meeting room. The park is located at 4500 Harbor Boulevard.

Carmalita Athletic Complex

This park features three baseball fields one football field. An enclosed building can be rented for parties and other events. This park, which has a concession stand and restrooms, is located on Carmalita and Florida streets in Punta Gorda.

Bissett Park

This park features a playground at a beach, fishing, basketball, horseshoes, shuffleboard, tennis and a pavilion that can hold 50 people. It is located on South Twin Lakes and Path Avenue in Punta Gorda.

Other Parks in Charlotte County

Mid-County

• Charlotte Harbor Park (Bayshore Drive and Glass Lane)
• Charlotte Harbor Mini Parks (Bayshore Road)
• Charlotte Harbor Pier (Bayshore Drive)
• Harbour Heights Park (North San Marino Drive)
• Higgs Park (Higgs Drive)
• Lake Betty Park (Conway Boulevard)
• Maracaibo Fields/Kidspace (Maracaibo and Avocado streets)
• McGuire Park (Elkcam Boulevard)
• Midway Park (Midway Boulevard by Port Charlotte Junior High)
• Port Charlotte Beach (4500 Harbor Blvd.)
• Salyers Park (Quesada and Salyers)
• Sharon Circle Park (Conway Boulevard)
• Springlake Park (Edgewater Drive)

South County

• Riverside Park (Darst Avenue)

West County

• Charlotte County Stadium (State Road 776)
• Coral Creek Fishing Pier (State Road 776 Placida)
• East Englewood Park (Sunnydale and Rosemont)
• El Jobean Park (State Road 776)
• Englewood Beach (Chadwick Park, Beach Road)
• Gasparilla Piers (State Road 776)
• Lemon Bay Boat Ramp and Pier (Tom Adams Bridge)
• Myakka Piers (State Road 776)
• Placida Boat Ramp (State Road 776)
• San Casa Athletic Complex (North San Casa Drive in Englewood)
• Tringali Community Center (State Road 776)