Outdoor Adventure Guide About North Port Parks & Recreation The vision of Parks & Recreation is to be a recognized leader in providing parks, facilities, and programs that increase wellness and enrich life experiences within our community. Our mission? To promote healthy and socially rewarding activities through the preservation of cultural resources and the provision of diverse high-quality parks and natural spaces.

The Department is accredited by the National Recreation and Park Association’s Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies for excellence in operation and service. For more information, visit www.CityOfNorthPort.com/ParksAndRecreation or call 941-429-PARK(7275). Get Out & Play

You’re Invited to Explore North Port A nature-lover’s paradise, North Port’s unique environment provides the perfect outdoor playground. Tucked beneath a thick oak and pine canopy, the City is rich with archaeological history, beautiful natural springs, and more than 80-miles of freshwater canals.

Incorporated in 1959, the City’s population is one of the youngest in the Southwest Florida region. Known for its youthful mindset, visitors and residents in the City can enjoy hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, mountain biking, , and much more!

Did you know the City of North Port has one State Forest, a world-renowned natural warm water spring, more than 80-miles of fresh water canals, and over 400 acres of local parks?

1 www.CityofNorthPort.com/ParksAndRecreation 2 Find Your Trail

Walking Trails other Florida wildlife. The forest includes miles of frontage along the Myakka River. A ramp Hit the pavement along major arterial roadways on the river leads to one of a handful of primitive such as Sumter Boulevard and Toledo Blade campgrounds in the forest. Beneath the water’s Boulevard. These linear parks provide sidewalks surface is a range of native fish species, that weave around gazebos, pedestrian signage, including snook, mangrove snapper, saltwater streetlights, and other enhancements. In fact, catfish, and the occasional shark. Florida Department of Health of Sarasota County deemed both roadways and a loop route around the North Port Library as “pathways to health.” Horseback Trails Signage along each route displays the number of Ride or trailer your horses into Myakkahatchee steps and miles each pathway offers. Creek Environmental Park and enjoy a full or half day of riding with plenty of scenic spots for a There are also several local parks sprinkled quick picnic or a quiet moment. Can’t get enough? throughout the community that offer paved Horseback riders can also access the T. Mabry walking trails. Stop by Atwater Community Park, Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve from the park. then cool off at the Splash Pad when you’re finished! Enjoy the green space and central Trails for horseback riders can also be found in location of Butler Park. Delight your senses with the southern portion of North Port at Myakka a stroll through the Garden of Five Senses or State Forest. enjoy a short stroll on the eco-friendly pathway as the kids have fun on the playground at Pine Park. Cycling Trails For mountain biking enthusiasts, the primitive Feeling a little more adventurous? unmaintained bike trails within Oaks Park along Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park the Myakkahatchee Creek are one of offers a peaceful opportunity to explore natural Southwest Florida’s most intense. Carved by Florida. With winding wooded trails that weave mountain bikers themselves, the trails offer twists throughout a moss-draped oak canopy you’ll find and turns for the more experienced rider. In vibrant native flowers and trees. Deeper in the addition to the adrenaline rush, bikers will also park you’ll find wild, natural orange trees that have the chance to enjoy the pristine canopy decorate the edges of the park’s trails. filled with ancient oak trees and flora. The 8,000-plus acre Myakka State Forest, Prefer the pavement? Roadies can find managed by the Florida Forest Service, is also enjoyment on 800-plus miles of local roads. home to several miles of nature trails and packed Don’t forget your helmet and safety equipment! with opportunities for viewing wading birds and

www.CityofNorthPort.com/MyLocalParks 3 4 Dip Your In

North Port is a paddling enthusiasts dream, with endless options to choose from. Whether , standup or is your thing, you’re guaranteed to have Tips an unforgettably fantastic time!

The area is surrounded by waters ideal for paddlers. With more than 80-miles of freshwater canals and portions of the Myakkahatchee - Check the Marine Forecast - Creek, you’ll find the perfect water for any skill Know Current Conditions, Wind, and Water Levels level. If that isn’t enough, our famously sublime - Bring the Necessary Equipment weather means you can get out on the water - Watch for Motorboats and almost every day. Personal Watercraft - Let Someone Know Your Plans From Marina Park, off Chancellor Boulevard, you can access the lower portion of the Myakkahatchee Creek and travel southwest to the Myakka River, a Florida “Wild and Scenic River.” Open to motorized boaters, these waterways are ideal for , watching manatees, The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary catching glimpses of dolphins, and more. Flotilla 92 offers and safe courses and boating safety programs. The Looking for a non-motorized blueway? station is located at Marina Park at the corner Enthusiasts can launch from Blue Ridge Park of Kenwood Drive and Chancellor Boulevard. and travel to McKibben Park, Dallas White Call (941) 625-3667 for more information. Park, and end at Butler Park (or vice versa). A launch is also available for paddlers to access the Snover Waterway from behind City Hall.

Visit www.CityofNorthPort.com/Blueways to download a helpful map 5 and start planning your adventure today. 6 www.CityofNorthPort.com/WarmMineralSpringsPark Explore Sites & Parks

Historic Sites Local Parks Step into the past at the only natural warm spring Explore the sights and smells at the Garden of in Florida! With a consistent average temperature Five Senses, then discover the accessible of 85 degrees year-round, Warm Mineral Boundless Adventures Playgro und with your Springs Park provides visitors with a number family. Play fetch with your furry BFF at the of therapeutic and passive recreation options. Canine Club. Enjoy a barbecue with friends or The spring contains one of the highest mineral family at Dallas White Park, where you can also contents of any natural spring in the United start a pick-up game of volleyball or softball. States. With anaerobic and highly mineralized Learn pickleball on the courts at Highland Ridge properties, internationally known for its purported Park or get some exercise in while the kids enjoy healing qualities, the park attracts more than the playground. No matter your interests, North 100,000 visitors annually who journey to soak Port offers unique parks to meet your needs. in its waters. To search for a park by amenity, visit The springs and the buildings are listed on the www.CityOfNorthPort.com/MyLocalParks and U.S. National Register of Historic Places. start exploring today! Evidence of prehistoric man, saber toothed tigers and giant sloths have been discovered here, and date back more than 10,000 years! The buildings were built to celebrate Florida’s Quadricentennial and were designed by architect Jack West, one of the leaders of the Sarasota School of Architecture. health fact:

Warm Mineral Springs Park 12200 San Servando Avenue Depression rates are lower in areas North Port, FL 34287 with more green spaces. Luckily, North (941) 426-1692 Port boasts more than 400 acres of Hours: Mon.- Sun., 9a.m. to 5p.m. parks for visitors and residents to (Open every day with the exception of Dec. 25) spend time outdoors. With so many fantastic parks to discover and sublime weather almost year-round, there’s no reason to stay home.

www.CityofNorthPort.com/MyLocalParks 7 Take Flight

Our rich waters create a veritable goldmine for birds and birdwatchers. While local parks and other public lands offer opportunities for birdwatching and other wildlife viewing, North birdwatching tips Port is surrounded by natural preserves with acres of forests ideal for the avid birder. Grab your binoculars to explore and you may find Florida Scrub-Jays, Great Horned Owls, Green Heron’s, and Sandhill Cranes (just to name a - Become familiar with resident common species few). - Visit diverse habitats - Observe bird behavior The early morning and late afternoon are the best times to find the birds of North Port. Try to avoid the heat of the day. Remember, if it isn’t comfortable for you to be moving about, they’re probably feeling the same way! The more you know about them, the easier it becomes to detect and identify the uncommon For more information about birding, visit the varieties and migrants. A change in scenery National Audubon Society’s website at provides an opportunity to observe a greater www.Audubon.org, snag a checklist of Florida’s variety of species. birds at MyFWC.com, then pick your next stop at www.CityofNorthPort.com/MyLocalParks. Many species interact or form loose associations with other species. Behavior such as chattering or mobbing will reveal the presence of another species like a raptor.

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