If I visit Cocoa I always make a point to visit this lovely park. When you need a place to take a…read morebreak from shopping and dining in downtown Cocoa Village, head over to Cocoa Riverfront Park. This is the perfect spot to relax on a bench and take in the beautiful view of the Indian River and the Hubert Humphrey Causeway. Cocoa Riverfront Park was once the home of the Porcher family. Their neoclassical mansion is still in the park. The families packinghouse was on the river bank behind the house. It was used to process produce delivered by boat the family's groves on Merritt Island. Today the park is a recreational destination for visitors to Cocoa Village. It has an open lawn area, playground, amphitheater, boardwalk, splash fountain, and covered pavilions. There are areas for fishing, water sports, and to launch a boat. The Porcher House can be rented for weddings. Cocoa Riverfront Park is a destination for concerts and community events like the July 4th celebration and fireworks. This park connects to Taylor Park and Lee Wenner Park providing 10 acres of recreational space along the Indian River for everyone to enjoy.

The venue and vibe are amazing. The upkeep on the bathrooms is not good. I understand during…read morecertain events and being crowded it's hard to keep the bathrooms clean, but not once during a recent concert was any of the permanent washrooms cleaned or even checked. Yes there were portapotties on site but you still need to maintain the brick and mortar ones.

Great park with soccer fields, playground, walking trails, gazebo with picnic tables, and a nature…read moretrail. I especially love the nature trail that is about a half mile loop on a boardwalk. There are owls here, turtles, heaps of lizards, squirrels, and on a recent walk here saw a giant snake that crossed my path about four feet long. It is nice that the nature trail is covered with the shade of trees and part of the trail features wetlands yet am always on the lookout for alligators yet have never seen one here yet.

Awesome little park with river front walk in. Gazebos for lunches/dinners, playground equipment,…read moreand a stage/party area as well. Lots of parking too.

This is a great area to launch for SUP (stand up paddleboard) or kayaks. There is a small parking…read morelot that will fit about 20 cars in the launch area. A company called Calypso Kayaking thar rents canoes out of here. The launch area can be a little difficult if you're not super agile or if your paddle board is heavy - the best way I can describe it is it's a sloped staircase made of wood planks and dirt (I think it was about 5-6 steps if I remember correctly). It wasn't difficult going down, however, I was using my friend's Bote SUP, which is pretty heavy and it was difficult for me to carry it up the steps especially after a difficult and physical paddle with windy conditions. If I was using a lighter board I don't think it would've have been too difficult for me. This park also has nice a cute little playground and clean restrooms that are open year round. There is a covered picnic area with grills. And the parking lot at both the launch area and near restrooms are paved. We were there at low tide and the water was very shallow in some areas - so shallow that we had to get off our SUPs at one point and pull them through the water a few feet so we didn't damage our fins. It was great having the shallow waters because we saw LOTS of stingrays, horseshoe crabs and fish! Also lots of water birds throughout our paddle! One of the islands that we stopped at had a nice beach area and beautiful dead tree that made for great photo ops! All in all, this is a great location to launch for SUP and kayak. We will definitely go back and hopefully see dolphins and/or manatees the next time!

This is a great location to paddleboard or kayak in Merritt Island /Brevard County if you want to…read moresee manatees up close there are places to launch your kayak and it's not crowded

Playground suitable for ages 5 to 12. Large pavilion with…read moreabout eight picnic tables. Much shade provided by pine and palm trees. Exercise trail. These are all located on one side of the main driveway. On the other side of the driveway are sports fields and small bathrooms (no change tables in bathrooms). A few swings are located not by the playground but near the sports fields and restrooms. Entire park surrounded by residential neighborhood. Two small parking lots available.

This is a wonderful park. It has plenty of tennis courts and also has two soccer fields right next…read moreto it. It also has baseball fields. If you're looking for a park to go and play tennis, soccer, football or baseball this is the place to go.

My first time going to Cocoa Beach, I was hit with the paid parking, and I didn't like that,…read moreespecially since I planned on spending the whole day at the beach. After doing some research, I found out that there are public parking lots, which was great to know. That's when I came across Lori Wilson Park, which has both North and South parking lots. I decided to go with the North side. It was close to the restrooms, and it was just a quick walk across the bridge straight to the beach. There are three beach entrances on this side, and they also have showers right at the entrance where you can rinse off the sand after leaving the beach. There is also a South side with more parking, but for me, the North side just looked more appealing. As you enter the North side, there's a playground to the left where the kids can play. I thought this was really convenient for parents who want to let their children burn off some energy before heading to the beach. Between the playground and the beach, that sounds like a great day for a kid! On this side, there was also a lifeguard, as well as someone renting sunbeds, umbrellas, and surfboards. It seemed like they had pretty much everything you would need for a great beach day. I brought my own tent and chairs, so that worked out just fine for me. But having the rentals right there is really convenient if you don't want to deal with the hassle of bringing everything yourself. The beach was great! The waves were a little rough, but not so rough that you couldn't get in the water and enjoy yourself. There was also a surfing competition going on while I was there. There seemed to be people of all ages participating, so that was really cool to watch and added something extra to the day. Another great beach day accomplished!

When visiting this beautiful 32.43-acre oceanfront park it is to picture that this was once an…read moreunofficial city dump. Standing among the sea oats and beach, it's almost impossible to imagine that this land was neglected until the mid 1970s. The park owes its transformation to the vision and determination of Lori Wilson, an attorney, Florida State Senator, and passionate environmental advocate. After moving to Florida in 1960, Wilson served in the Florida Senate from 1973 to 1978, becoming only the third woman and the first Independent to hold the office. She was a strong supporter of the Equal Rights Amendment and championed numerous environmental causes, working with organizations such as Save Our Waterways, the National Association of County Officials Environmental Steering Committee, and the Central Florida Zoological Society. Senator Wilson was a visionary and she was determined to restore this stretch of coastline organized a massive community cleanup. Local youth organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, spent weeks removing trash, planting native vegetation, and restoring it back to its natural condition. In appreciation for her leadership and dedication, the grateful community voted to name the restored park in her honor. Today, Lori Wilson Park is one of Cocoa Beach's most popular beach parks. The Mansfield Maritime Hammock which is stop on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail, features a .6-mile interpretive boardwalk through a protected coastal canopy filled with native plants. It is an important stopover for migratory birds. Dog lovers will appreciate the spacious 32,000-square-foot fenced off-leash dog park, which opened in 2006 through a partnership between Cocoa Beach and Brevard County. More recent improvements include upgraded dune crossovers built with durable composite materials, a renovated dog park, and modernized restrooms and outdoor shower facilities. The park also is where you can find I Dream of Jeannie Lane named in 1996 in honor of the TV show I Dream of Jeannie, a TV show about a genie in love with an astronaut that aired from 1965 to 1970 and was fictionally set in Cocoa Beach. The historical marker was added in 2012. I appreciated that the parking is free and there is easy beach access. I also enjoyed my time exploring the maritime Hammock. Thanks to Lori Wilson residents and visitors can enjoy ocean access, nature walks, and a place for off leash dog play. Lori Wilson Park is an inspiring example of what a community can accomplish when they pull together.

Fantastic views Great playground…read moreConvenient boat launch The easy access to 528 also means noise from 528, but it's a fair trade-off; the setting here is great, especially in the morning as the sun rises over the Banana River view. My kids loved the playground, and the picnic/gathering facilities would be nice to return to for a cookout, though I'd probably bring my own grill (those provided are understandably basic). Single picnic tables and pavilions of up to ~15 tables are available, with the larger ones requiring rental to assure your spot. There are restroom facilities on-site. There was some good wildlife around, and my kids liked seeing a lot of birds up close, who weren't afraid to be spied from just a few feet away. Calema Windsurfing school/rental shop on-site is a nice bonus - the conditions certainly felt right on the water. Overall, this seems like a good place to gather with a big group (like a school field trip I saw), your family, or just to overlook the water by yourself.

Great place to peacefully sit under an awning next to the Banana river across from cocoa village.read more

I had an enjoyable visit to Riverwalk Park and Nature Center in Rockledge. This 6.37 acre community…read morepark is now a family friendly, nature centered destination that will inspire a love of the outdoors among its youngest visitors. It wasn't always that way. In 1999 the park was named Hoo-Hoo Park from a fraternal order of lumbermen called Hoo Hoo International that contributed to the building of the park's boardwalk. A Sheriff's Office sting operation arrested 32 men on sex charges. Over 300 people were charged with improper sexual activities during the 10 years the park was open. Brevard County closed the park and worked on rebranding it for the community with a new name, Riverwalk Family Park. They added a nature center and invested $275,000 in park improvements. Today this a destination anyone who loves nature would be happy to visit. I started out in the charming nature center where I met Tommy, Pringles, and Chips, the resident turtles who swam right up to the glass to say hi. The nature center has displays about the animals and plants that live near the Indian River, maps and information on other local nature parks, and it also offers nature programs. On the day I visited they had binoculars for use in the park and free water color painting set up. Behind the nature center is a 915 foot boardwalk that takes you to the Indian River Lagoon. Although it is shorter compared to other nature boardwalks in Brevard County, it is the perfect length for the same children who would enjoy the nature center. In 2016 Riverwalk Park received a $20,000 grant from the National Recreation and Park Association. They used the money to build a Nature Explore Classroom set between the trees of the nature preserve. The interactive play zones radiate around a central grassy area with an old tree stump as the focal point. Some of the areas are a water play area, plants and play, a deck for tree forts, and musical instruments. The park also has a picnic pavilion, restrooms, and a butterfly garden.

Excellent little boardwalk path. Fun to enjoy when no one else is there…read more I love the unique rock formations by the water, though I was surprised how short the walk is. Wish the boarded path would lead over the ravine and into a nice picnic/play area. I like how some of the plants along the walk are marked. Did not appreciate the cigarette butts by the water. This isn't the park's fault, but all it takes is one negligent person to destroy everything.

Terrific lakeside park with play areas for children, large and small dogs. I think dogs on the…read morenature trail require a leash. It's currently undergoing construction via a large donation from a local humanitarian and through the work of volunteers and help from a construction team. Unleash Day, the opening ceremony is December 12, 2021. Bathrooms are on a time lock and currently closed until the bathroom floor resurfacing dries. The nature trail is suitable for seniors with walkers, people requiring a wheelchair, and Mom's with strollers. The large loop is about 3 miles, smaller loop about 1/2 mile and goes around a lake. The roadside trail has older oak trees. Both loops go around a trail. The trail is posted no trespassing in neighborhood or nature preserve so stay on the trail. Beware of golf carts on the trail. It's good for bikes and skates, too. The play areas feature bridges, mini hills and culverts. A swing set is near the lake. Their are covered benches. We spotted a kingfisher, Mallard ducks, a Snowy Egret, an Osprey with a fish, and palm warblers.

Searching for True Love & Forgiveness? Talk to GOD and get a…read moreDOG! #ReflectDogs Love & Forgiveness Well if you're into agility items, cute buildings, shaded seating areas and interesting structures this dog park was made for you!! They even have the mandatory fire hydrant. There is a nice big double-gated entry with a huge tree and nice bench in it. Put dog park has a couple poop bag dispensers as well as trash cans and a water feature. You can park right next to the dog park. The ground covering is mostly sand and grass. But beware there seem to be quite a few biological landmines?

Walking and biking paths Kids playground…read moreBoardwalk Right on the water Near port canaveral and cruise ship terminals A calm place to spend a couple of hours with a small group. Bring some food, enjoy the sound of the water and the scenery.

We stumbled upon Manatee Sanctuary Park while looking for something to do before heading to the…read moreairport after our cruise, and it turned out to be a really nice little stop. The park is peaceful, well maintained, and a great place to enjoy some nature without spending any money. There's a fenced-in playground for the kids, picnic areas, public restrooms, plenty of benches, and covered areas where you can sit and look out over the water. For those visiting from outside Florida, keep in mind that there is a pond nearby, and yes, alligators are something you need to be mindful of around freshwater here. Just something to be aware of when exploring with little ones. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see any manatees during our visit, but we still enjoyed walking around and taking in the scenery. The waterfront views are beautiful, and it's a nice change of pace from the busier tourist attractions in the area. If you're visiting Cape Canaveral, especially before or after a cruise, this is a great little place to stretch your legs, let the kids play, have a picnic, or simply relax for a bit. Nothing overly fancy, just a peaceful park with some beautiful natural surroundings.