If you love outdoor activities and happen to live in Bradenton, Florida, then you’re in luck. Because below is a very long list of recreational parks that you can have access to on a year-round basis. Some of these parks are located within the city and a few are located out from town, in areas that many consider to be remote. However, it doesn’t matter where the parks are located, they all have something to offer, so pack up your family and go enjoy a day at the park. There is no entry fee to any of these parks and the parking is also free.
Anna Maria Bayfront Park 310 North Bay Boulevard Anna Maria Island, Florida 34221
(941) 742-5923
Anna Maria Bayfornt Park is located on Anna Maria Island, at the east end of Pine Avenue. This park offers you swimming, boating and fishing. Because it’s located along the shallow waters of Anna Maria Sound, it makes a good spot to find sea shells. They also offer a playground area, open picnic tables, sheltered picnic tables and grills, year round camping, restrooms and of course a beach.
Reservations: For picnic shelters and grills
Department: Manatee County Parks & Recreation Department
Phone Number: (941)742-5974
Blackstone Park 2112 14th Avenue West
Palmetto, Florida 34221
Blackstone Park is located in Palmetto, west of Hwy 41. This is a wonderful park for playing racquetball, soccer, football, softball and baseball. You or your kids can skate and roller blade in the skating park, or play on the playground. Why not take a stroll along the fitness trail or have a picnic and use one of the sheltered picnic tables and grill. And when you finish your walk and picnic, you can use the restrooms that are also available.
Reservations: For picnic shelters and grills
Department: Manatee County Parks & Recreation Department
Phone Number: (941)742-5974
The Botanical Garden Park is located on 17th Street Northwest in Palma Sola. This is a beautiful little spot to visit with the family. There is a butterfly garden, kid-size play equipment, two lakes, a gazebo, lots of sub-tropical plants and palms. They also offer classes in art and landscaping information. There are also restrooms, so pack a lunch and make it an afternoon outing. Or go sign up for classes.
Points To Remember: They also offer classes
Hours: Daily 8:00am – Dusk
Phone Number:(941) 761-2866
Braden River Park 5201 51st Street East
Bradenton, Florida 34202
This park is located in East Bradenton on 51st Avenue. There is a playground with play equipment, so you can play baseball, football, softball and soccer. It’s a very nice park to take the family to and have a picnic. This is the home of the Braden River Little League if you have young ones that are interested. You also have access to restrooms.
Buffalo Creek Park 7550 69th Street East
Ellenton, Florida 34222
This is a family park that is located in North Palmetto. It also happens to be the home of the North River National Little League. They offer a playground with play equipment, a basketball court, softball, football and a lighted baseball and soccer field. There is a concession stand and they also have a dog park with drinking fountains and free waste bags. Restrooms are also available.
Crane Park 37655 State Road 70
Myakka City, Florida
Crane Park is located in Myakka City, right off of State Road 70. It’s a nice place to spend an afternoon fishing with the family. And since they have open picnic tables, your family can enjoy a picnic while you’re fishing. There is also a play ground, along with an open play area, play equipment, a shelter and restrooms.
Duette Park 2649 Rawls Road
Duette, Florida 33834
Duette Park is located North of State Road 64 in Duette, which is in East Manatee County. This park is surrounded by the cities of Wauchula, Bowling Green, Ona, Zolfo Springs and Myakka City. A good place to go hiking, horseback riding and hunting. They also have bike trails, nature trails and camping. If all of this is too much, then use one of the sheltered picnic tables and grills and have a picnic or barbecue. There is also a forest ranger station located east of the park.
Reservations: For picnic shelters and grills
Department: Conservations Lands Management
Phone Number: (941)776-2295 or (941)776-0900
East Bradenton Park 1119 13th Street East
Bradenton, Florida 34208
(941)742-5948
The East Bradenton Park is located of course in East Bradenton, South of 9th Avenue East and next to Tropicana. This park has an open play area, a lighted basketball court, a playground with play equipment, fitness trails, sheltered picnic tables, baseball, restrooms, a swimming pool and a splash pool. This is a nice park for a family outing or a game of basketball.
Points To Remember: Lifeguards on duty
Days: Pool also open on Memorial Day And Labor Day
Reservations Needed: Picnic Shelter needs to be reserved
Department: Manatee County Parks & Recreation Department
Phone Number: (941)742-5974
Emerson Point Park 5801 17th Street West
Palmetto, Florida 34221
(941) 748-4501
What a lovely park with a beautiful view of Tampa Bay. Emerson Point Park is 195 acres located at the tip of Snead Island, which is Northwest of Palmetto. It’s shore lines are protected and this is the perfect park for nature lovers. You can fish, hike and rollerblade. They have bike trails, nature trails and sheltered picnic tables and grills. The neatest thing there is the observation tower where you can get a birds’ eye view of Tampa Bay. The only thing however, is the view happens to be 60 feet up.
Reservations: For picnic shelters and grills
Department: Conservations Lands Management
Phone Number: (941)776-2295 or (941)776-0900
G.T. Bray Park 5502 33rd Avenue Drive West
Bradenton, Florida 34209
(941)742-5923
G.T. Bray Park is a 140 acre park located in West Bradenton, Between 59th Street and 43rd Street West. It’s Northwest of the Pinebrook-Ironwood Golf Club and South of Blake Medical Center. This park has everything you could want for a city park. They have a playground, an open play area, a lighted basketball court, tennis courts, baseball, softball, soccer, football, bike trails, a dog park, fitness trials and a fitness room, an activity center, a gymnasium, a horseshoe court, indoor volleyball leagues, a swimming pool, a splash pool, jogging, sheltered picnic tables and grills and restrooms. There is a lot here and it’s all for you to enjoy.
Points To Remember: Lifeguards on duty
Reservations Needed: Picnic Shelter & amphitheater needs to be reserved
Department: Manatee County Parks & Recreation Department
Phone Number: (941)742-5974
John H. Marble Recreation Complex 3675 53rd Avenue East
Bradenton, Florida 34203
(941)753-0954
This complex is located in East Bradenton, on State Road 70, which is the same as 53rd Avenue, South of the Perida Golf and Country Club. This park offers, a playground area, an activity center, a gymnasium, a fitness room, baseball, softball, tennis courts, a swimming pool, open picnic tables, sheltered picnic tables and grill and restrooms.
The Lakewood Ranch Park is located in East Manatee County at Lakewood Ranch. It’s off of Malachite Drive and Mustang Way. This park also happens to be the home of the East Manatee Bulldogs football and cheer leading team. They have tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball, softball, racquetball and of course football. They also have an open play area and restrooms.
Lake Manatee State Recreation Area 20007 E State Road 64
Bradenton, FL 34212
(941) 741-3028
Lake Manatee State Recreation Area is located at Lake Manatee, East on State Road 64, East of I-75, and it’s on the North side of State Road 64. A 2,400 acre lake sits in the middle of this remote, but beautiful 556 acre park land. It’s a perfect spot for fishing, camping, boating, swimming and having a lovely picnic.
Lamb and Sutton Parks
6th Street West and 10th Avenue West
Palmetto, Fl 34221
(941) 721-2138
This park is located in downtown Palmetto, near Palmetto Elementary School and the Palmetto Historical Park. A lot of community events are held at this park, but it also has playgrounds, tennis courts, ball fields, a pavilion and picnic grounds. It’s a nice park to visit in the heart of Palmetto.
Leffis Key East side of Gulf Drive
Just North of Coquina Bayside Park
Bradenton Beach, Florida 34221
You can’t go wrong with Leffis Key. This area is out on the water, off of Gulf Drive, which is North of Longboat Key and South of Bradenton Beach. This area is basically a saltwater estuary that is covered with native plants and trees such as beach elder, smooth cord grass, southern red cedar, sea oats and jamaica dogwood.
This is just a small sample of what you will find there, but I think out of everything you will enjoy, the 26 foot hill will thrill you the most. Because when you climb this hill, you have the joy of an unimpeded view of the Gulf of Mexico and Sarasota Bay. There may not be picnic tables and playgrounds, but there are footpaths, boardwalks and viewing platforms.
Lincoln Park 715 17th Street East
Palmetto, Florida 34221
Lincoln Park is located in East Palmetto, at the intersection of 17th Street and Hwy 41. The little park has sheltered picnic tables and grills, open picnic tables, basketball courts, a place to play football, and soccer. There is an open play area and restrooms.
Reservations Needed: Picnic Shelter needs to be reserved
Department: Manatee County Parks & Recreation Department
Phone Number: (941)742-5974
Manatee Palms Park 6510 1st Avenue East
Bradenton, Florida 34208
Manatee Palms Park is located in East Bradenton, off of Kay Road and 1st Avenue East, which is West of I-75. This community part has a playground, an open play area with play equipment and open picnic tables.
Myakka Community Park 10060 Wachula Road
Myakka City, Florida
(941)322-8114
Myakka Community Park is just that. A community park which is located East of Myakka Wauchula Road, West of Hamilton Way and North of Roosevelt Road. This park has sheltered picnic tables, soccer, softball, football, baseball, a playground and restrooms.
Reservations Needed: Picnic Shelter needs to be reserved
Department: Manatee County Parks & Recreation Department
Phone Number: (941)742-5974
Ola Mae Sims Park 11800 Erie Road
Parrish, Florida 34219
This park is located in Parrish, which is Northeast Manatee County. It’s North of Hwy 301 and South of Gillette Road. It is away from the crowds, but you can still enjoy yourself with basketball, softball and baseball. They also have a horseshoe court, open picnic tables, sheltered picnic tables and grills, an open play area and restrooms.
Reservations Needed: Picnic Shelter needs to be reserved
Department: Manatee County Parks & Recreation Department
Phone Number: (941)742-5974
Palma Sola Causeway Park 9000 Manatee Avenue West (State Road 64)
Bradenton, Florida 34209
This park is located along the causeway off of Manatee Avenue West (State Road 64) You can walk your dog, fish, have picnics and they also have restrooms.
Palma Sola Park (75th St.) 7915 40th Avenue West
Bradenton, Florida 34209
(941) 742-5974
Palma Sola Park is located in West Bradenton, off of 75th Street West, at the intersection of 79th Street West and 43rd Avenue West. This park has sheltered picnic tables and grills, baseball, football, softball, soccer, an open play area and restrooms.
Reservations Needed: Picnic Shelter needs to be reserved
Department: Manatee County Parks & Recreation Department
Phone Number: (941)742-5974
Pride Park 815 63rd Avenue East
Bradenton, Florida 34203
Pride Park is located in East Bradenton off of 63rd Avenue, between 9th Street East and 5th Street East. This park has soccer, baseball, basketball, football, horseshoe courts, a playground, fitness trails, an open play area, a splash park, restrooms and sheltered picnic tables and grills. It’s a nice park to go to for a lazy afternoon outing.
Reservations Needed: Picnic Shelter needs to be reserved
Department: Manatee County Parks & Recreation Department
Phone Number: (941)742-5974
Rye Wilderness Park 751 Rye Wilderness Trail
Parrish, Florida 34219
Rye Wilderness Park is located in East Manatee County, in the town of Rye, Florida, even though it has an address in Parrish, Florida. It’s off of North Rye Road and Upper Manatee River Road. This park is way out from town so it is idea for camping out for the night or maybe the entire weekend. There is a lot to do if you’re the outdoor type, so you won’t get bored. They have a boat ramp, a palce to launch canoes, bike trails, hiking trails, nature trails, horseback trails, fitness trails, fishing, sheltered picnic tables and grills and restrooms. This is a wonderful park for a family camping trip.
Reservations Needed: Picnic Shelter needs to be reserved
Department: Conservation Lands Management
Phone Number: (941)776-2295 or (941)776-0900
If you need further information, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department below.
Parks and Recreation Department
5502 33rd Avenue Drive West
Bradenton, FL 34209
Phone: (941) 742-5923
Fax: (941) 742-5972
