4 Great Parks in Naples

Naples, Florida, is a great place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city because of its laid-back pace of life. If you want to make your stay in this charming coastal city even more relaxing, you should spend some time in one of its many beautiful parks. Make sure you check out these four great parks in Naples.

1. Cambier Park

If you’re looking for a nice place to take your kids, head down to Cambier Park. Located in the heart of Old Naples on 8th Avenue, this 13-acre park is the most popular community park in the city. It has plenty of mature trees to provide shade for picnickers and a wide array of physical-activity facilities, such as a tennis center, shuffleboard courts, bocce courts, a softball field, and a children’s playground. Depending on the time of your visit, you may be able to catch a free concert at the band shell or theatrical performance at the Gulfshore Playhouse.

2. Lowdermilk Park

Situated just a short walk from downtown Naples on North Gulf Shore Boulevard, Lowdermilk Park is widely regarded as the best family beach park in Naples. It’s also the most well-equipped park in the city, featuring two gazebo pavilions, two playgrounds, sand volleyball courts, and restrooms. There’s also a concession stand that serves a variety of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and beverages and rents out umbrellas, beach chairs, kayaks, paddleboards, and bodyboards. When you want to take a break from the sun, you can relax beside the well-shaded duck pond.

3. Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park

Rated one of America’s best beaches, the sugary-white shore at Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park is the most pristine beach in Naples because it’s separated from the mainland. You can enjoy a wide range of activities at this 166-acre state park, including swimming, canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, scuba diving, and bird-watching. At the northern end of the park, you’ll find a tower that offers a stunning bird’s-eye view of Wiggins Pass.

Located on Gulf Shore Drive, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park has amenities such as picnic areas, grills, drinking fountains, outdoor showers, and restrooms. Admission fees are $2 per pedestrian or cyclist, $4 per vehicle with one passenger, and $6 per vehicle with two to eight passengers.

4. Sugden Regional Park

Sugden Regional Park is home to the 60-acre Avalon Lake and the only freshwater-lake public beach in Naples. This park offers activities such as swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddleboating, water-skiing, and sailing. If you aren’t a big fan of water activities, you can relax at one of the picnic areas or the gazebo, watch your kids play at the playground, or work up a sweat on the fitness trail that runs around the lake. Sugden Regional Park is situated on Avalon Drive.

Naples has many parks to cater to a wide array of recreational pursuits. Whether you’re planning a family day out or looking for a quiet place to relax, you can easily find a park in the city that perfectly suits your preferences.

Image courtesy of Collierparks.com

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