Freedom Park Photos
You might also consider
More like Freedom Park
Recommended Reviews - Freedom Park
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
Very nice park. About 2 miles around, if you walk the outermost perimeter. It has 2 different trails. One trail (on the left) is half paved and half boardwalk. It crisscross' through a series of ponds that "clean" the water, before dumping it into the wetlands - which happens to be the other trail (on the right) which is 3500ft of boardwalk. There is also a very nice 911 memorial on the left hand trail. Fishing is permitted but it's all catch and release. Saw some nice size fish in there.
This park is too remember all the lives that was lost on 9-11-11. It has some items that was found at grind zero. There's some trails also for walking it's peaceful and it will give you time reflect
The full name of this park is the Fred W. Coyle Freedom Park. In October of 2014 the park was named in honor of Fred Coyle, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, decorated Vietnam veteran, and outgoing county commissioner who was instrumental in the creation of the park. A decade before he pushed for the creation of the 50 acre park. Prior to his involvement this property had been left overgrown for decades. The western part of the property was neglected orange orchards that had been planted in the 1950's and 60's. Invasive species of plants such as melaleuca trees, and Brazilian pepper had taken over. The property was purchased by the South Florida Water management District with funds from the Florida Communities Trust on June 19, 200 for the purpose of creating a water filtration system that would clean the storm water where it enters the Gordon River which flows on to Naples Bay. To accomplish that goal four fresh water marshes were created in 2009. Native wetland plants were added that clean the water by taking out pollutants and heavy metals. Besides filtering the water the wetlands provides a refuge for birds such as great white herons, ibis, green herons, and great blue herons who forage for food in the marsh. Trails go around and cross over the marsh marsh so people can hike and bike for recreation. Along the way are signs that identify the native plants. The eastern 12.5 acres of the property, which is owned by Conservation Collier, is where the natural wetlands are located. While this property had large cypress trees, pond apple and mangroves, it too was heavily inundated with exotic plants. The invasive plants were removed and the wetlands were restored with native plants like flowering pickerel weed, swamp lily, Sagittaria and canna lily. Native plants are marked by plaques along the 3.500 foot boardwalk. Some of the plants plants act as larval host for native butterflies. Red shouldered hawks, barred owls, pileated woodpeckers, green herons, great blue herons, little blue herons, great white herons, racoons, gray squirrels, marsh rabbits, river otter, armadillos, alligators, turtles, snakes and frogs are some of the native wildlife that have been recorded in the park. Adjacent to the parking lot are restrooms and a 2500 square-foot education facility with restrooms and picnic area. The facility can be rented by Collier residents for private events. One of the most striking features of the park is the 9/11 memorial named the Freedom Memorial. Construction began on it in 2004 but was plagued by delays and the recession. Artist Gerald Ladue was picked in 2005 to design the memorial and a groundbreaking ceremony was held but by 2008 funds to build the memorial had dried up. For 10 years the large gray slab sat behind a fence. Naples mayor Jim Sorey jump started the project in 2014 and raised the 2 million dollars to finish it. It was finally dedicated in September of 2016. The memorial is a giant American Flag sits on a pedestal of a map of United States. Behind the flag are two steel bars from the World Trade Center. Along the back of the memorial there is a fountain, benches, and fifty state stones along the perimeter of the pentagon shaped walkway. This park is truly impressive. While cleaning the water flowing into the Gordon River it is providing a place of nature for people to enjoy. I saw people biking, hiking, picnicking, bird watching, taking pictures, and swinging in a hammock in one of the lookout pavilions. The Freedom Memorial is truly moving as it honors our first responders and the lives lost in the attacks on 9/11. This park is a continuation of the Gordon River Greenway across the street. Both parks are a nature lovers paradise.
Definitely one exceptional park... especially for nature lovers ! Brief bit of history of the park... derelict and overgrown with evasive vegetation for decades until one day (well, more than just a day) the land (which was in two sections, east and west) was cleaned up... the indigenous species of plants and trees were protected, as were the wildlife and all the brazilian pepper trees, malaluca and other unwanted foliage were carefully removed... at this point, you already have a much more desirable parcel Today, the 12.5 acres that make up the east portion of the total 50 acres is now a wetland preserve with an elevated boardwalk... an almost perfect environment to enjoy the wildlife and fauna. Some of the wildlife includes various reptiles, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, herons and I learned they have they even are home to river otters (but I never saw one). The larger of the two halves, the west, was once orange groves back in the 1950s but even that became overgrown with those previously mentioned evasive species. This West area was developed into a NATURAL FILTRATION SYSTEM to clean the Stormwater of contaminates and metals before flowing into the Gordon River (and eventually out to Naples Bay. This Filtration System is made up of four freshwater marshes that were constructed about 10 years ago. Water travels between the marshes and the toxic pollutants and other impurities settled out of the water so that by the time the water flows out to the Gordon River it is purer. Beyond this function, the west marshes have paths for visitors to enjoy the recreational aspects of the park (mostly environmental and wildlife just like the east side). When I visited the first time, I walked around the park's Public Building (didn't go in since it appeared a kids program was happening inside); there were tables for picnicking and benches to sit and view along with signage to learn all about the park (which is where I learned all about those wetlands and marshes). They even have a public viewing board, so if you see something interesting, you add it to the list so others can keep a look out for the same (we saw and added onto the list woodpecker; didn't know the species but a woodpecker nonetheless). We walked the entire park (all 50 acres)... I happened to be injured at the time so I was limited in my stride and balance but exercise was important for me. It was nice to learn that 100 percent of the trails and boardwalks are handicap accessible. And at the end of our walk we were surprised to see the Park had constructed an impressive memorial called the FREEDOM MEMORIAL to pay tribute to those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attack. The Memorial included a huge concrete and metal american flag and two sections of the steel beams from the fallen towers.
2 months ago
There are two different paths to take in this park. The one on the right is a boardwalk and it ends up in a big circle and it has a really pretty views. The one on the left brings you around a pond and has a bunch of different bridges with lily pads and different ways to go with little look overs on the water. There's a doc where you can fish off of. A few signs that say don't molest or feed alligators or snakes. I never saw an alligator but I did happen to see a crocodile. The crocodile tends to come out earlier in the morning later in the afternoon after it rains it likes to hide. I did not see any snakes thank God because I would have freaked out. But I only saw one crocodile he was by himself he came out for a little bit and then went back to hide. This park is absolutely stunning rain or shine there's a pavilion in the middle where you can sit and stay dry if it rains and a couple little look overs with covers as well. I highly recommend this place I went twice in one weekend just because of how beautiful it was. 10 out of 10 100% recommend. read more
3 years ago
Very nice park. About 2 miles around, if you walk the outermost perimeter. It has 2 different trails. One trail (on the left) is half paved and half boardwalk. It crisscross' through a series of ponds that "clean" the water, before dumping it into the wetlands - which happens to be the other trail (on the right) which is 3500ft of boardwalk. There is also a very nice 911 memorial on the left hand trail. Fishing is permitted but it's all catch and release. Saw some nice size fish in there. read more
4 years ago
This park is too remember all the lives that was lost on 9-11-11. It has some items that was found at grind zero. There's some trails also for walking it's peaceful and it will give you time reflect read more
2 years ago
The full name of this park is the Fred W. Coyle Freedom Park. In October of 2014 the park was named in honor of Fred Coyle, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, decorated Vietnam veteran, and outgoing county commissioner who was instrumental in the creation of the park. A decade before he pushed for the creation of the 50 acre park. Prior to his involvement this property had been left overgrown for decades. The western part of the property was neglected orange orchards that had been planted in the 1950's and 60's. Invasive species of plants such as melaleuca trees, and Brazilian pepper had taken over. The property was purchased by the South Florida Water management District with funds from the Florida Communities Trust on June 19, 200 for the purpose of creating a water filtration system that would clean the storm water where it enters the Gordon River which flows on to Naples Bay. To accomplish that goal four fresh water marshes were created in 2009. Native wetland plants were added that clean the water by taking out pollutants and heavy metals. Besides filtering the water the wetlands provides a refuge for birds such as great white herons, ibis, green herons, and great blue herons who forage for food in the marsh. Trails go around and cross over the marsh marsh so people can hike and bike for recreation. Along the way are signs that identify the native plants. The eastern 12.5 acres of the property, which is owned by Conservation Collier, is where the natural wetlands are located. While this property had large cypress trees, pond apple and mangroves, it too was heavily inundated with exotic plants. The invasive plants were removed and the wetlands were restored with native plants like flowering pickerel weed, swamp lily, Sagittaria and canna lily. Native plants are marked by plaques along the 3.500 foot boardwalk. Some of the plants plants act as larval host for native butterflies. Red shouldered hawks, barred owls, pileated woodpeckers, green herons, great blue herons, little blue herons, great white herons, racoons, gray squirrels, marsh rabbits, river otter, armadillos, alligators, turtles, snakes and frogs are some of the native wildlife that have been recorded in the park. Adjacent to the parking lot are restrooms and a 2500 square-foot education facility with restrooms and picnic area. The facility can be rented by Collier residents for private events. One of the most striking features of the park is the 9/11 memorial named the Freedom Memorial. Construction began on it in 2004 but was plagued by delays and the recession. Artist Gerald Ladue was picked in 2005 to design the memorial and a groundbreaking ceremony was held but by 2008 funds to build the memorial had dried up. For 10 years the large gray slab sat behind a fence. Naples mayor Jim Sorey jump started the project in 2014 and raised the 2 million dollars to finish it. It was finally dedicated in September of 2016. The memorial is a giant American Flag sits on a pedestal of a map of United States. Behind the flag are two steel bars from the World Trade Center. Along the back of the memorial there is a fountain, benches, and fifty state stones along the perimeter of the pentagon shaped walkway. This park is truly impressive. While cleaning the water flowing into the Gordon River it is providing a place of nature for people to enjoy. I saw people biking, hiking, picnicking, bird watching, taking pictures, and swinging in a hammock in one of the lookout pavilions. The Freedom Memorial is truly moving as it honors our first responders and the lives lost in the attacks on 9/11. This park is a continuation of the Gordon River Greenway across the street. Both parks are a nature lovers paradise. read more
Definitely one exceptional park... especially for nature lovers ! Brief bit of history of the park... derelict and overgrown with evasive vegetation for decades until one day (well, more than just a day) the land (which was in two sections, east and west) was cleaned up... the indigenous species of plants and trees were protected, as were the wildlife and all the brazilian pepper trees, malaluca and other unwanted foliage were carefully removed... at this point, you already have a much more desirable parcel Today, the 12.5 acres that make up the east portion of the total 50 acres is now a wetland preserve with an elevated boardwalk... an almost perfect environment to enjoy the wildlife and fauna. Some of the wildlife includes various reptiles, raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, herons and I learned they have they even are home to river otters (but I never saw one). The larger of the two halves, the west, was once orange groves back in the 1950s but even that became overgrown with those previously mentioned evasive species. This West area was developed into a NATURAL FILTRATION SYSTEM to clean the Stormwater of contaminates and metals before flowing into the Gordon River (and eventually out to Naples Bay. This Filtration System is made up of four freshwater marshes that were constructed about 10 years ago. Water travels between the marshes and the toxic pollutants and other impurities settled out of the water so that by the time the water flows out to the Gordon River it is purer. Beyond this function, the west marshes have paths for visitors to enjoy the recreational aspects of the park (mostly environmental and wildlife just like the east side). When I visited the first time, I walked around the park's Public Building (didn't go in since it appeared a kids program was happening inside); there were tables for picnicking and benches to sit and view along with signage to learn all about the park (which is where I learned all about those wetlands and marshes). They even have a public viewing board, so if you see something interesting, you add it to the list so others can keep a look out for the same (we saw and added onto the list woodpecker; didn't know the species but a woodpecker nonetheless). We walked the entire park (all 50 acres)... I happened to be injured at the time so I was limited in my stride and balance but exercise was important for me. It was nice to learn that 100 percent of the trails and boardwalks are handicap accessible. And at the end of our walk we were surprised to see the Park had constructed an impressive memorial called the FREEDOM MEMORIAL to pay tribute to those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attack. The Memorial included a huge concrete and metal american flag and two sections of the steel beams from the fallen towers. read more
3 years ago
No gators, but we did see birds,turtles and rabbits, and a fellow walker told us he had just saw a bobcat. It is free to go to and has two different paths. If you walk both, it is a total of 2 miles. Great for kids and has bathrooms and a place to sit and have a picnic after. read more
3 years ago
12 years ago
Freedom Park is a wonderful location to spend some time observing nature, while getting some exercise at the same time. They have two trails. The small trail is completely paved in wooden board walk fashion. It is safe for children because they cannot get through the iron grid fencing that lines the entire trail. It is scenic with local trees, birds, butterflies, and anything else that is indigenous to this area. The larger trail is not boarded and not as safe for children so just be cautious when exploring this area. It's lovely with the botanicals and butterfly garden! A very nice way to spend a weekend afternoon. Just a note that the smaller trail is well shaded. So even on a very hot day, it is bearable! Many tables if you want to have a picnic. There is no maintenance so make sure whatever you bring to the park you remove from the park. read more
10 years ago
7 years ago
More info about Freedom Park
1515 Golden Gate Pkwy
Naples, FL 34105
Directions
Hours
Outdoor Amenities
Ask the Community - Freedom Park
Review Highlights - Freedom Park
You might also consider
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
1 review that is not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
4 years ago
