Sunset over Lemon Bay at Indian Mound Park. Photo by Tom Newton
to the Buchan airport. It has playground
equipment, picnic tables, community
garden, meeting rooms and restrooms.
MANASOTA SCRUB PRESERVE
2695 Bridge Street/Manasota Beach Road
941-861-5000 (ask for Natural Resources)
www.visitsarasota.com/parks/manasotascrub
preserve
This 145 acre nature preserve allows one
to observe a variety of upland and wetland
communities along a system of trails. There
is a marked trail that is about one and a half
miles long, and limited parking is available.
VETERANS MEMORIAL & FREEDOM
PAVILION
641 W. Dearborn Street
941-473-9795
The Veterans Memorial, dedicated
on Veterans Day 2014, is located on the
waterfront at the west end of Dearborn
Street and includes a pavilion, restrooms,
picnic area and boat docks.
BEACHES
MANASOTA BEACH PARK
8570 Manasota Key Road
941-861-5000
www.scgov.net/beaches
The furthest north of the public
beaches in Englewood, this 21-acre park
offers access to the beach and the bay. A
cement boat ramp as well as a dock on
the Intracoastal Waterway side of the
park, makes this an ideal spot for boaters.
Shelter space is limited so it’s a good idea
to reserve in advance. There are restrooms,
paved walkways, a ramped dune walkover,
beach showers, seating, updated pavilions
and picnic areas, pedestrian boardwalk and
docks.
Insider Tip: Pack a lunch to enjoy at one
of the picnic pavilions, as this beach is far
removed from any restaurants or shops.
BLIND PASS BEACH
6725 Manasota Key Road
941-861-5000
www.scgov.net/beaches
Drive along the tree-lined curves of
Manasota Key Road to Blind Pass Beach,
known to the locals as “Middle Beach”. There’s
plenty of free parking and lots of room to
spread out on the nearly 3,000 feet of Gulf
beach. There is no lifeguard on duty. There
are rest rooms, but no shops or restaurants
nearby.
Insider tip: Follow the parking lot away
from the beach and you’ll find a kayak launch,
a nature trail and a playground.
ENGLEWOOD BEACH/CHADWICK PARK
2100 N. Beach Road
941-681-3742 (for reservations)
Charlottecountyfl.gov
This is where the action is. Families, high
school students, retirees, locals and visitors
flock to this beach and the surrounding
restaurants and shops. There is plenty
to do besides worship the sun, including
horseshoes, volleyball, basketball and a
playground. Beach yoga and the Sunday
2021 19
/beaches
/beaches
/Charlottecountyfl.gov