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    Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk

    4.1 (8 reviews)

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    Ariel W.

    Located east of Naples is the 85,000 acres Fakahatchee Strand Preserve which is Florida's largest state preserve. It is located in the western part of the Everglades and stretches from Alligator Alley to the Tamiami Trail. There is two places to access the preserve, the Big Cypress Bend boardwalk off US 41 west of Everglades City or the 11 mile Janes Scenic Drive off of SR 29. The scenic drive is along a rutted dirt road. The boardwalk is the more accessible and popular way to see the strand. In 1957 Lestor Norris purchased 640 acres of land to save it from the Lee Tidewater Cypress Company who were cutting down all of the trees for logging. Mr. Norris also built the boardwalk. It has a somewhat confusing name. It is called the Big Cypress Boardwalk because at the time this area was called Big Cypress. The boardwalk however is not located in Big Cypress preserve and instead resides in Fakahatchee Strand preserve. Lester Norris deeded the property to the state along with a $67,000.00 donation. The 2,300 foot wooden boardwalk takes visitors through the Fakahatchee Strand, the largest bald cypress/royal palm swamp in the world. It is one of the largest strands of virgin bald cypress trees. It is about a 30 to 45 minute walk, .6 miles each way. As you walk along you pass through the central slough. Lining the boardwalk are the bald cypress trees that are hundreds of years old. Also visible from the boardwalk are pop ash and pond apple trees which host epiphytic orchids, ferns and bromeliads in their trunks. Pickerel weed and alligator flag plants are in the water below the boardwalk. Along the way is forty interpretive signs that provide information along the way. The Boardwalk ends at a flag pond where you can see alligators and a variety of birds. Members of the Friends volunteer to provide tours of the boardwalk. The boardwalk is maintained entirely through volunteer labor and supplies are purchased from visitor donations. There is a box to make a suggested $3 donation. If they get enough money they would like to make improvements to the boardwalk and build a much needed bathroom. If not for the foresight of Lestor Norris and others this important ecological area would have been stripped of trees and this would be Florida's own Amazon. How lucky we are that this area was preserved so that we get to experience this wild and wonderful piece of the real Florida today. During this stressful time it is the perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy the best of what Mother Nature has to offer.

    Great White Egret
    John M.

    Started reading "The Everglades - River of Grass" by Marjory Stoneman Douglas. The book is pretty good so far and it was a rainy morning today so it got me motivated to head to the swamp! Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk is an awesome and easy spot to visit near Naples. It goes through a patch of virgin bald cypress and ends up at a gator hole with a resident female gator.

    Todd B.

    Worth a stop for a fully shaded stroll on the boardwalk. The water was low when we stopped, so we didn't see as much wildlife as the locals saw a few weeks earlier, but still plenty to see and learn. The pond at the end (see picture) did have an alligator out sunning when we got there.

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    Mackle Park

    Mackle Park

    4.7(32 reviews)
    15.4 mi

    Mackle Park was named in honor of Frank E. Mackle Jr. (1916-1993). Mackle was a developer who had…read morepreviously developed Key Biscayne with his brothers. Frank arrived in what was then a primitive Marco Island in 1962 and saw potential in the undeveloped town. He was soon joined in the venture by his brothers, Elliott and Robert. All of the brothers were engineers and were employed by the Deltona Corporation founded by their father. Frank became the President of the Deltona Corporation and led the modernization of Marco Island. Mackle Park is impressive as it has everything that residents and visitors to Marco Island could want in outdoor recreation. The park has a community center with teen center, basketball court, bocce courts, open field area for play, picnic area, shuffleboard courts, a soccer/football field, volleyball court, and splash pad. One of the standout feature of the park is the creative playground that is a hit with kids. It has a pirate ship, castle turrets, and lots of places to climb and engage in imaginative play. My favorite part of the park is the beautifully landscaped walking path that winds around the lake. A sign at the entrance to the trail shows how you can increase the half mile walk around the lake to .9 miles by incorporating walking the perimeter of the fields in the back of the park. It is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a more vigorous jog. The lake is also a great place to bird watch and fish. Mackle Park has something for everyone. It offers a blend of recreational facilities and natural beauty that makes it a must-visit for anyone in the area. Whether you're looking to let the kids play, enjoy a peaceful walk, or partake in community events or a class, Mackle Park offers it all and more.

    It is a beautiful park. Has many wonderful things to do for all ages. Canine Park has two separate…read moreareas for small dogs and large dogs. Maintenance could be better in Canine but it is still a great area. Many different species of wildlife. Great childrens area. Beautiful Community Center with many activities

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    Mackle Park
    Mackle Park
    Mackle Park - Osprey nest.

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    Osprey nest.

    Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park - Family pool

    Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park

    4.4(8 reviews)
    18.0 mi

    I went to Donna Fiala water park. Minimal areas to swim. There is a section of fountains that are 3…read morefeet. A lane of a pool where you can be at 5 feet. A space of 12 feet for the diving boards, a lower and higher one. Obviously the higher diving board will create a harder impact going into the water. I got water in ears of mine twice off the diving boards. First time fizzled out, second time needed hydrogen peroxide when I got home. The ladder out of pool isn't so easy to climb. I did try both Water slides. The yellow tubed one was super fast. The blue one was open air and slower. You could feel the grooves where sections of slide were put together on your back when going down the slides. Also, you did not dispense into a pool at bottom of slide but stayed in your lane which made for an abrupt landing and not so easy to get up and out! :) kids under the height requirement could handle the blue slide! :)

    This water park at Eagle Lakes is a great find! At only $1.50 - $2 for entry, it was an affordable…read moreday of family fun! You can (and in fact, you're encouraged to) bring your own snacks/drinks, but they also have a small concessions area. We packed a cooler of drinks (la croix and some harder bevvies for the adults in our group), sandwiches, and snacks, and headed to this park for the afternoon. There was a large kids pool that was at most 3 1/2 feet deep, with a bunch of squirting machines and a giant wheel that dumps water. My nephews and niece really enjoyed this one, and it was large enough that there was still room to swim around and have fun. There was also a nice ledge along the back side of the pool (away from the attractions) so you can comfortably sit! There was also a large pool (that was much colder!) with lap lanes, an area to hang/swim, and a high and low diving board. There was always a small line for the diving boards, the kids were having so much fun! On top of all that, there are 2 water slides and an infant pool. The pool areas are well-staffed with lifeguards who were on top of keeping an eye on everything, blowing the whistle to get the attention of people, making sure kids were walking not running, and keeping the area safe. There's also a good blend of chairs in the sun and picnic type tables in the shade. We had a blast here and it's a great place for a family fun day!

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    Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park
    Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park
    Donna Fiala Eagle Lakes Community Park

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    North Collier Regional Park - Basketball

    North Collier Regional Park

    4.1(15 reviews)
    28.5 mi

    We visited North Collier Regional Park with 4 and 2 yr old grandchildren. Park is across the street…read morefrom Golisano Children's Museum. Kids played in the Can U Dig It space (bring your own sandpails and shovels!) and had fun jumping, climbing, and searching for "fossils". The playground was fun and has different spaces for all ages including different sizes of slides. Water park was closed due to cool weather but looks like lots of fun. Lots to do in this park including walking, biking trails in addition to above. Will return!

    Naples has some amazing parks but the 213 acre North Collier Regional Park might just be the crown…read morejewel. Whether you are a child or adult, a water enthusiast, a fitness fanatic, a sports lover, or nature lover, this park has something for everyone. inside the park is the Sun-N-Fun Lagoon Water Park, a large water park that is the perfect place to cool off. The aquatic fun park has a splash playground, five water slides, four pools, and a lazy river. For the sports enthusiast there is eight tournament soccer, 4 natural grass and 4 FIFA certified artificial turf fields, and five tournament softball fields. There is also a fitness center. For those who like to bike, walk, and jog, there are 2.5 miles of walking trails. Some of the trails go through natural wetlands where you can see plants and wildlife. Children love to visit the Golisano Children's Museum of Naples and the state of the art, Can U Dig It Calusa Fossil Dig Playground with a dig play area for children and interactive playground. The park is a haven for the endangered Big Cypress Fox Squirrels but unfortunately I didn't see any. I did enjoy the boardwalks through the nature area and the butterfly garden. Seldom do you come across a park that offers so much. North Collier Regional Park is an amazing amenity for the community of Naples.

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    North Collier Regional Park
    North Collier Regional Park - Recplex fitness center near the park

    Recplex fitness center near the park

    North Collier Regional Park

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    Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk - parks - Updated May 2026

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