2022 Fall Newcomers Guide
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1504028
NEWCOMERS GUIDE TO PARADISE 55 MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK Located about a half-hour drive from Wellen Park — north on Interstate 75 and east on State Road 72. And while alligators are all over Florida, they are especially known to live in the state park. It is home to Deep Hole, a sink hole about 2 miles away from the rest of the park. After the hike, you may see between 30 and more than 200 alligators basking or swimming in the body of water. To take in that adventure, you must receive a wilderness permit from the state park's ranger station at the front of the property. There is a limited number given out each day and are often taken within minutes of the park's 8 a.m. opening. The state park, one of the state's oldest, also has boat tours on Myakka Lake where you can view wildlife. A popular part of the state park is the canopy walk, a short hike from the main road. For those willing to take it, there's a structure to check out, 76 feet in the air and above the tree canopy — giving a new view on Old Florida. 13208 State Road 72, Sarasota. 941-361-6511, www.floridastateparks.org/ parks-and-trails/myakka-river-state-park. UNUSUAL PARKS GARDEN OF THE FIVE SENSES 16-acre park opened in 2007 and was dedicated to the late Jean Bruhn, a former Parks & Recreation Advisory Board member. The garden that fosters an appreciation of nature, landscaping, preserving our natural resources and promoting environmental education through a natural interpretation and use of all the senses. 4299 Pan American Blvd., North Port. 941-240-8125, www.visitsarasota.com/parks/ garden-five-senses. HISTORY PARK A nine-acre park in the central part of the Punta Gorda that serves as a relocation site for significantly historic structures saved from demolition. This facility is operated in conjunction with the Punta Gorda Historical Society. The park cur- rently has four local historic homes, three are open to the public. In addition, the site hosts a weekly Farmer's Market on Sundays throughout the year and has a community garden. 501 Shreve St., Punta Gorda. www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us. CASPERSEN BEACH PARK The park is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico on the westside and the Intracoastal Waterway on the east. One of the best times visit is after a storm. That's when shell and shark tooth hunters gather to look for treasures. The park is unusual in another way, its dark sands make it unlike any other area beach. In addition, its the south- ernmost point of the Venetian Waterway Park Trail, so you can ride your bike or walk there from one of the many stops along the trail. The park is open 6 a.m. to midnight daily. 4100 Harbor Drive,Venice. 941-861-5000, www.visitsarasota.com/ parks/caspersen-beach-park. FIND MORE PARKS Charlotte County: www.charlottecountyfl.gov DeSoto County: desotobocc.com Sarasota County: www.scgov.net www.sarasotafl.gov State parks: www.floridastateparks.org FILE PHOTO The "Brother Reading a Book" sculpture in the Garden of the Five Senses on Pan American Boulevard in North Port is one of several pieces of public art scattered around the city. FILE PHOTO Take a step back in time at the History Park located on Shreve Street in Punta Gorda.