Great park for the little one to run out all his energy. There is plenty of shade from the Florida…read moreheat and even a water mister for the kids to run through. Parking is a bit strange. Maybe, because like the park itself, it is all on side streets or side parking lots that almost feel they are not part of the park.

I love Payne Park…read more I do NOT like too many of the people that use it. Recently, the number of unsupervised kids that are riding their bikes, scooters, and electric do dads are inconsiderate with their use of the sidewalks, their total lack of attention to their surroundings and other people. These kids need more adult supervision and parents need to take more time teaching them manners. I also am taking exception to the growing number of pet owners that think THEIR dogs don't need to be properly trained, leashed, or picked up after. The 5 O'Clock group of owners that let their dogs off theie leads and let them just take over a section of the park is non-sense. Read the signs. That is not acceptable. On several occasions, while just walking I have been run up on by dogs showing their teeth. I stop, sayd nice doggy and then move on. But some day, if I do get bit by one of these unruly monsters, their entiled owners will owe me money they haven't even made yet. I would like to see more of a park police presence for a while to get the kids and dog owners back to being decent people. And to the people that are feeding the ducks and squirrels, STOP. Read the signs. You aren't doing the wildlife any favors by feeding them and you aren't doing the other people that use the park any favors either. Payne Park is beautiful; a great place to enjoy the out of doors and the wonderful weather in Sarasota. Kids and Pet owners don't have the right to ruin the experience for everyone else. Oh, and teenagers, we know you are smoking pot there. Move away from the popular walking areas. Your weed smell like skunk butt.

Wow, this is not the beach, the Riverwalk is something to be seen. There's tons of seating along…read morethe riverwalk. Everything from metal benches facing the water to these really cool cement lounge chairs that are actually comfortable to sit in as well. Along the river walk there are really cool our installations as well as a playground for families. My two favorite things to see while walking on the river walk where the dolphins swimming in the water. Yes actual dolphins in the water that you could see so cool. The other thing which might not be exciting to some people, but I thought it was cool was being able to see a train that goes across the river and the bridge that lifts some of the tracks up so that boats can go by. From the hotel we stayed at we could have walked about 15 minutes to the downtown area where there's some restaurants and shops to go to.

A 2 mile long Riverwalk along the Manatee River. We walked past a skate park, over train tracks,…read moresplash water park, playgrounds, an amphitheater & some art installations. This is an expansion of Rossi Park between the Green and DeSoto bridges. There were clean shady seating & lots of signage about the Riverwalk. There were cameras & we felt very safe.

Bright as the day is, but a new addition to a new addition to Bradenton! My heart breaks slightly…read morefor the older houses and undeveloped land that used to be here, but progress shines brightly on Bradenton, and this park is a wonderful example of that! There's doggy poo bags, and I'm not sure why, but across the street is another unlabeled park with a smaller playground in the shade and it's absolutely strange. They have astroturf and fake mounds, I cannot fathom why. It's only lacking a hole and some golfers... Either way, untapped park that I've never noticed before!

We were looking for something different for my 2.5 year old son to do and came across this play…read moregym.... And it's amazing! There were children younger and older than him, all thoroughly enjoying themselves. The check in staff were very friendly. We bought a small package for while we're in town and thought the price was fair. They have lots of different areas: toddler/infants (play kitchens, small toys, blocks, etc), art (including smocks), calming room (if it's too much stimulation) and LOTS of gross motor skill activities (exercise equipment, trampoline, rock climbing wall, zip line, swings, etc). The whole gym as foam floors and there are foam pits under larger things (zip line, jungle gym, rock wall, etc). Everything seemed clean, bathrooms were clean too! There's also a large party room... what a great place for a party. They are inclusive for all kids including neuro & physical diversities.

I am always looking for new, fun places to take my 2 1/2-year-old daughter. I am so happy to have…read morefound this play place! I am a certified school teacher, and have taught special ed in the past. I have worked with OTs for many of my students as well. It is so amazing to have all these sensory tools at your disposal at this playground. There are multiple types of swings, for toddlers and big kids alike. There is a rock climbing wall, and extremely safe, spring-less trampoline with yoga balls in it for play. There is also a zip line into a padded pit, and monkey bars with pads underneath, and tons of other activities. There is a toddler/baby area blocked off by a half wall, so they will not be overwhelmed by the activity in the main room. There are dramatic play toys there such as a kitchen, grocery store and baby dolls. My daughter surprisingly loved the car ramp! There are tons of other age appropriate toys there as well. The entire place is padded with the foam type of pads you would put underneath home workout gyms. There is a dimly lit calm down room, with a beautiful blue bubble wall, and jellyfish tent and headphones. My younger daughter is a little quieter and more cautious. She loved being there all by herself and had plenty of time to get acclimated to her surroundings. She was able to run freely around and feel confident. I would definitely recommend checking out the website to see everything that this place has to offer. You can tell that a lot of thought was put into the creation of this indoor playspace, from a very educated perspective!

Best park around! Clean, safe and usually busy! They have everything from a playground, bathrooms,…read morepergola, dog park, baseball park, soccer field, disc golf, golf cart sized sidewalks and so many paths. Through the Lakewood Ranch website you can find weekly events and activities at the park! Saturday morning in the Fall & Winter, MVP Sports and Social do a disc golf league and it's so fun and community focus!

Always a fun place to take the kids to get out all of their energy. Games of hide and seek, Nerf…read morewars, and "did you see Cheeto?" are always fun. If you don't know, Cheeto is the raccoon who likes to steal snacks from the park rangers. 02.02.25

Great playground for toddlers through middle school. Lots of space for many kids and some swings…read morefor babies (two) and school aged kids (two). Nice su sail shade for hot weather. Maintained fairly and newer equipment. Exercise park attached. Dog park and pickleball courts next door. Soccer field and skate park adjacent. Nice seats and picnic table. Easy free parking parallel to playground.

Great fenced-in playground with swings and a fun slide. Well-maintained. Easy parking. Dog park and…read morepickleball nearby.

Very nice spot for an early morning excursion to see if we could find manatees! It was hot hot hot…read more but the hike to the observation tower was short and full of fun things to see!! We found a pond full of birds, two lizards on a bench, fish jumping out of the water and the tower itself is very tall and quite a sight! We had the best time and it is a very nice trail. We saw walkers, runners and bikers so good for all sorts of activities! Plenty of parking, quiet and serene. Get out there early or late in the evenings to avoid the heat bring plenty of water, wear sunscreen and stay on the path and you'll have a great time!

Several easy hiking trails make this a handy place to take a stroll. The terrain isn't very scenic…read morebut there is an observation tower that affords good views of the surrounding area. Unisex restrooms available at the parking lot. Free parking and admission.

Nathan Benderson Park is beautiful, well maintained, and while there are few trees for shade,…read moreoffers great trails for walking, running, or biking. There is also a shaded playground for children, some tables and seating area, restrooms, and good parking. The water and park is also used for international rowing competitions. The trails continue around the lakes over to the Aquarium and UTC Mall. I was there at sunrise for my walking and it was beautiful.

Watched July 3rd, 2026 fireworks here at Nathan Benderson Park. We parked by Foxtail Coffee for…read morefree, and walked over. They also had fees to park in parking lots starting at $30, but you still had to walk. The walk wasn't bad at all and luckily the rain finished and it wasn't as hot. We stayed at the part of the park before the bridge. It was a nice set up with a walking trail, grass, a few picnic tables, inside restrooms and a playground. Two or three food trucks. The other side of the park had more stuff along with the VIP area. Liked this side of the park since we could comfortably place our chairs down in the grass and be close enough to the bathrooms. The music was streamed from the other side. I didn't like it because it was orchestra and classical music the whole time. The fireworks were ok and you saw it on the distance not too far. But the music made it sleepy for me. This is just my reminder for next year. At least we had good parking, weather, seats, & clean restrooms. Line for them wasn't too bad.