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951 Kiwanis Island Park Road, FL 32953
Ph: 321-455-1380 Fx: 321-455-1384
Cherie Down Park 8492 Ridgewood
Avenue, Cape Canaveral Preserving sand dunes and sea grasses,
this scenic 6.99-acre community beach park in a neighborhood
setting invites beach activities and surf fishing. Amenities
include restrooms, a small pavilion, a dune crossover,
and 2 sheltered picnic areas at either end of a 320’
boardwalk along the dunes.
Intracoastal Waterway Park
SR 520 Causeway, Merritt Island Located at the east end
of the Hubert Humphrey Bridge, this 8.5-acre community
river park creates a picturesque gateway to Merritt Island.
Entered from the westbound lane of SR 520, the park drive
exits into the eastbound lane. The paved pathways and
the 1,200’ of winding boardwalk along the Indian
River invite cycling and leisurely strolls. The sheltered
picnic tables are convenient for brown bag lunches, and
the 250’ fishing pier is ideal for fishing and watching
evening sunsets.
Kelly Park East 2550 North
Banana River Drive, Merritt Island Parks Referendum Project
An internationally recognized windsurfing area, this 15.37-acre
community river park is on the Banana River just south
of the Beeline Expressway. Providing river access for
residents and visitors, Kelly Park features a natural
catamaran/sailboard launch area, and lighted 4-lane boat
ramp with adjacent parking for cars and boat trailers.
Near a small scenic lagoon, a paved walkway connects a
medium size pavilion with amenities including grills,
restrooms, playground, horseshoe pits and volleyball courts.
Additionally, 2 small pavilions and picnic tables provide
picnicking by the river’s edge. With the waterfront
view and facilities attracting numerous group gatherings
through the spring and summer season, advanced reservations
are recommended. Call 455-1380 for rental details.
Kelly Park West 2455 North
Banana River Drive, Merritt Island Parks Referendum Project
Located just south of the Beeline on the west side of
Banana River Drive, this 40.93-acre community river park
offers a small fishing pier on a 2.48-acre pond, and 2
lighted multipurpose fields with a concession facility.
Restrooms, a mid-sized pavilion and playground add convenience
for organized youth athletics at this park. For reservation
details, call 455-1380.
Kings Park 997 Chase Hammock
Road, Merritt Island Located about 1.5-miles north of
the Barge Canal off SR 3, this 240-acre community river
park is primarily an undeveloped wetland preserve and
haven for freshwater fishing. The small developed area
at the northeast corner of the park, featuring a multipurpose
field and paved parking, accommodates practice games and
neighborhood play. Nearby, a deep freshwater lake offers
a natural ramp for non-motorized boats. Another small
lake, a 2-mile canoe trail and natural walking trails
inspire the adventurous.
Kiwanis Island Park 951
Kiwanis Island Park Road, Merritt Island Parks Referendum
Project Located just east of Sykes Creek Parkway off SR
520 in a wildlife sanctuary, this 18.38-acre community
river park caters to both active and passive recreational
enthusiasts. A 1-mile stationed exercise trail loops the
island’s complex of athletic facilities which includes
lighted tennis and racquetball courts, softball fields,
horseshoe pits and volleyball court. A 2-lane boat ramp
for boaters, and a natural launch area for rowers and
canoeists provides access into Sykes Creek leading to
the Barge Canal or Banana River. Fishing is another popular
activity both from the shoreline and from the 200’
fishing dock.The Community Center features ongoing activities
and a gymnasium, a small kitchen and meeting rooms. Another
meeting room and a banquet sized kitchen are located at
the large pavilion. The large pavilion with seating for
groups up to 250 people, a mid-sized pavilion, and 3 small
pavilions with a playground and restrooms nearby make
this park attractive for group gatherings and community
events. For facility reservation information and activity
schedules call 455-1380.
Lori Wilson Park 1500 North
Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach This 32.43-acre regional
beach park just 3.5-miles south of SR 520 features a maritime
hammock and is a popular site for visitors. Beach attractions
include, 3 pavilions along a 1,000’ boardwalk, 6
dune crossovers, seasonal lifeguards, nearby concessions
and surf fishing. Separated by the hammock, the restrooms,
showers and parking lots are conveniently located on both
the north and south sides of the park. The Johnnie Johnson
Nature Center and a small playground are located adjacent
to the south restrooms. The park is also an ideal environment
for large community events and group gatherings. 2 mid-sized
pavilions, barbeque grills, an open grassy area, horseshoe
pits and a sand volleyball court are located on the north
side. Another small pavilion next to the nature center
accommodates small group activities and programs conducted
by the Park Naturalist. The dunes, the 3,155’ boardwalk
through the hammock, and the Johnnie Johnson Nature Center
allow visitors to experience Florida’s natural coastline.
Nature Center hours are posted and subject to change—call
868-1123 for details. Also, be sure to visit the Nature
Centers web site. For park facility reservation information,
call 455-1380.
Manatee Cove 4905 North
Tropical Trail, Merritt Island Parks Referendum Project
On the Indian River one-half mile south of Porcher Road,
this 29.49-acre community river park is a fisherman’s
retreat. An access road extends from a 4-H equestrian
facility at the park entrance to a small lagoon that offers
refuge for manatees and a launch site for canoes. A natural
trail around the lagoon provides access for shoreline
fishing, while a parking area provides additional convenience.
Margaret & Danny Strickland
Park 298 Milford Point Drive, Merritt Island Landscaping
and a small gazebo create a restful atmosphere at this
.14-acre neighborhood river park. Situated along the Banana
River .25-miles north of SR 520, a swing, picnic tables
and shoreline fishing invite casual visits.
Osteen Park 425 South Tropical
Trail, Merritt Island Located 2-miles south of SR 520,
this wooded 3.8-acre community river park is nestled in
a neighborhood environment. A paved walkway leads to a
scenic view from a sheltered fishing pier on the Indian
River. A small pavilion with a barbeque grill, picnic
tables, playground and a open grassy area make this park
ideal for impromptu family picnics.
Pineview Park 200 Melbourne
Avenue, Merritt Island Parks Referendum Project In Colony
Park subdivision west of Courtenay Parkway, this wooded
4.74-acre neighborhood park offers a shaded spot for group
gatherings. Picnic facilities include a small pavilion,
barbeque grills and picnic tables. An open grassy area,
a full basketball court and a playground invite active
play.
Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park
1600 North Atlantic Avenue, Cocoa Beach On the beach at
16th Street, this 2.5-acre community beach park offers
access to the ocean for surf fishing and beach activities.
It features a small parking area, a dune crossover, restrooms
and a small pavilion in a landscaped setting.
Rotary Park-Merritt Island
1899 Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island Parks Referendum
Project The wooded drive into this 37.77-acre community
park is 2-miles south of SR 520. As visitors enter the
park they are greeted by a wooden fantasy playground.
Nearby, an 1,800’ boardwalk invites encounters with
the natural habitat and a Nature Center offers exhibits,
tours and classes.The large pavilion in the center of
the park, with seating for 210 and adjacent restrooms,
is popular for family gatherings and group events. 3 small
pavilions, barbeque grills, picnic tables, horseshoe pits
and a grass volleyball court are also available. On the
west side of the park, soccer fields are scheduled for
organized youth soccer, with a multiuse field available
for casual play. To inquire about facility reservations,
call 455-1380. To schedule a tour or arrange a visit to
the Nature Center, call 455-1385. Additionally, you can
visit the Nature Centers web site for more information.
Ulumay Wildlife Sanctuary
805 Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island The park entrance
to this 436.53-wildlife and bird reservation and sanctuary
is at the juncture of Sykes Creek Parkway and Audubon
Road just north of Kiwanis Island Park. This natural lagoon
and bird rookery is surrounded by a manmade dike and linked
with canals created for mosquito control. The park offers
a wilderness escape in an urban environment and is an
international attraction for birdwatchers. The site is
also historically documented as a town of the Ais Indians
who disappeared around 1720. The dike features a trail
of several miles providing access to the waterways for
the fisherman, and to canoe and kayak paddlers. Along
the dike, a birdwatching tower offers a scenic overlook
of the lagoon. Projecting into Sykes Creek at the southwest
corner of the park is a 100’ fishing pier, commonly
known as the Old Humpbacked “Troll” Bridge.
Although sightings of the troll are rumored, visitors
to Ulumay are more likely to view dolphin and birds such
as the wood stork, belted kingfisher, and white or brown
pelican. The alligator dormant season is October through
May, however, visitors are advised to be cautious throughout
the year.
Veterans Memorial Park 400
South Sykes Creek Drive, Merritt Island On the water’s
edge at Sykes Creek, this 2.63-acre community river park
houses a Veterans Memorial Museum and a spacious meeting
room available for rental. A 335’ boardwalk along
the waterfront invites scenic viewing and fishing. For
activity and facility rental information, contact the
Brevard Veterans Council at 453-1776.
Watts Park 695 Needles Boulevard,
Merritt Island This partially shaded 2.07-acre neighborhood
river park at Sykes Creek is an active spot for half-court
basketball, casual tennis and volleyball. The small pavilion,
picnic tables, barbeque grills, and playground make it
a convenient site for neighborhood get-togethers. Waterfront
access also invites shoreline fishing.
Woody Simpson Park 1590
Schoolhouse Street, Merritt Island Parks Referendum Project
Located at the end of Alma Boulevard just west of North
Courtenay Parkway, this 12-acre community park is a hub
of activity. A portion of the Community Center is operated
by the Child Care Association, while the gymnasium, kitchen
and meeting rooms are scheduled for weekly activities,
community events and group gatherings. Outside, the park
grounds include a shaded area, an open grassy area, a
small pavilion, a playground, lighted softball field and
2 lighted full outdoor basketball courts. To inquire about
drop-in activities, or to make reservations for group
events, call the Community Center at 455-1379.
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