Golfers can also enjoy North Port’s natural beauty.
Heron Creek Golf & Country Club is a semi-private
championship course designed by Arthur Hills to
integrate features of the natural landscape. The Charlotte
Harbor National Golf Club is another PGA-designed
course with a recently redesigned clubhouse and golf shop.
Myakka Pines Golf Club is another semi-private course
across from the Myakka State Forest in Englewood and
is a rare jewel in Southwest Florida due to its isolation
away from homes and buildings touching any part of its
27-hole property.
An exciting new era has dawned in North Port with the
addition of CoolToday Park – the new spring training
home of the Atlanta Braves. Located in the West Villages,
a 15,000-acre master planned community, this state-ofthe
art sports complex has 6,200 seats with room for
1,800 more to explore the 360 walkway while watching
a game. The Tomahawk Tiki Bar in left field stays open
year-round too.
This area is expected to become a hub of entertainment
in North Port with several community events, hotels
and other amenities already planned. Construction has
begun on the West Villages Marketplace, which will
be home to a collection of local, regional and national
retailers, restaurants and other businesses. The Town
Center is still in the design phase, but plans call for
dining, entertainment and shopping options combined
with other public spaces.
A little-known fact about North Port is that some
restaurants, shops and markets have become a microcosm
of Eastern Europe with prevalent culture and authentic
fare. The International Food Store is a delicatessen filled
58 www.NorthPortAreaChamber.com
with imported European foods including sausages, cold
cuts, fish and cheeses. Prepared take-out foods include
potato knishes, cutlets, beet and potato salads. Stop in
K&K Bakery for assorted “old world” pastries that are
delectable in any language. Easter is also a grand tradition
with the Easter Bazaar at St. Mary’s Church each spring.
The best part of North Port is that no planning is ever
required. Grab a bike or take a walk along Sumter
Boulevard and Toledo Blade Boulevard and their new
“linear park” experience. Put in a kayak at Dallas
White Park and paddle through the canal system.
Challenge your friends to a mountain biking adventure
at Oaks Park.
There are tourism-related brochures in the North Port
Area Chamber of Commerce office. You can also check
out visitsarasota.com or email info@visitsarasota.org
for more information. Come explore North Port. It’s
worth it!