Beaches, Parks, Recreation & Attractions

Parks & Recreation

Venice is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts

From the shore to inland, the opportunities to appreciate the great outdoors are endless. Charter a boat to catch a big one or enjoy the water while kayaking, paddle boarding, or jet skiing. Daily free beach yoga and Sunday drum circles are a relaxing way to enjoy the beach. Experience the wildlife “Old Florida” while canoeing up the scenic Myakka River from Snook Haven Park.

For the avid golfer or those just seeking to improve their game, find a golf course to suit your needs. Downtown Venice is also well-equipped with tennis, pickleball, basketball, and shuffle board courts at Hecksher Park.

Try your hand at frisbee golf at the disk golf course at Wellfield Park. Next door, you can watch croquet tournaments held by the Sarasota County Croquet Club or, better yet, join in the fun on Tuesday mornings for an intro class (registration required).

Biking / Walking

The City of Venice is recognized by The League of American Bicyclists as a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community. There are miles of trails to explore on your own or take a free community bike tour (7-mile ride) with the City of Venice. Tours are offered on the 2nd Thursday of the month (seasonally) at 10:00AM and leave from City Hall in downtown Venice. For more Venice biking information CLICK HERE.

The Legacy Trail Overpass spans across US 41 connecting the Legacy Trail and the Venetian Waterway Park Trail to downtown Venice.

Bicycle rentals are available through Florida Bike & Beach and history bike tours are available through Venice Florida Tours.

Camping / Glamping

Oscar Scherer State Park, located in nearby Osprey, has “glamping” tents available for rental, as well as fully equipped campsites. RV resorts, such as Ramblers Rest in Venice and Royal Coachman in Nokomis, are also available.

Find your favorite park

Venice is known for its 50+ parks, recreational spaces and pocket parks. From the Paw Park where your dogs can play at the beach, to Centennial Park where free music plays often in the downtown gazebo, to Legacy Park where children’s imagination can run wild on the train-themed playground, there is something for everyone. Be sure to not miss the beautiful banyan trees downtown in Heritage Park!

Island of Venice Parks

BEACH ACCESS

Brohard Paw Park
Caspersen Beach Park
Chauncy Howard Park
Humphris Park (South Jetty)
Maxine Barritt Park
North Brohard Park
Service Club Park
South Brohard Park
Venice Beach
Venice Fishing Pier

BOAT ACCESS

Higel Marine Park

POCKET PARKS

City Hall Park
Dr. Fred Albee Park
Fountain Park
Graser Park
Michael Biehl Park
Ponce De Leon Park

POINTS OF INTEREST

Centennial Park Heritage Park

WITH PLAYGROUNDS

Chuck Reiter Park
Hecksher Park
John Nolen Park
Prentiss French Park
Venezia Park
West Blalock Park

Neighborhood Pocket Parks

Find four off-the-beaten-path pocket parks tucked in behind downtown Venice’s beautiful neighborhoods. These hidden gems, designed by Venice’s city planner John Nolen in 1926, are open to the public. Access paths leading to them are identified with orange wayfinding signs. For a map CLICK HERE.

Granada Nolen Green
Harbor Nolen Green
Madrid Nolen Green
Milan Nolen Green