PONCE DE LEON PARK. Head west
through the charming Charlotte County city of Punta Gorda until it meets the miles-wide Charlotte Harbor at Ponce de Leon Inlet and you’ll find this popular 10-acre public park. There’s something to please all interests here: a boat ramp, fishing piers, quarter-acre mangrove boardwalk, playground, picnic pavilion, small sandy beach for prime sunset watching, and even an openair chapel. The Peace River Wildlife Center is located here, too; a nonprofit organization that rehabilitates sick and orphaned animals. OSCAR SCHERER STATE PARK. Right off
NATURE CALLS AT THESE UNSPOILED SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
busy Tamiami Trail, midway between Sarasota and Venice, this 1,400-acre oasis offers 15 miles of hiking trails through hardwood hammocks and scrubby flatwoods (two of those trails are wheelchair accessible), a canoe and kayak launch on lovely South Creek, and ranger-led eco-activities galore. Oscar Scherer is one of the only places where you can attempt to spot the endangered Florida scrub jay; less than two dozen of the friendly little blue-and-gray birds are known to live in the park. The park visitor center is currently closed and public events— like the Sunday morning guided scrub jay walks—are on hold, but the canoe and kayak launch, trails, and picnic areas are open for your enjoyment. floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ oscar-scherer-state-park
DESTINATIONS.
EVERETT DENNISON
Serene spots Wide, white beaches, winding rivers, biking trails, and some of the most beautiful parks in Florida— no wonder people flock to our region in pursuit of the great outdoors. Whether you’re seeking to quietly commune with nature or to set off on a high-energy adventure, there are plenty of serene spots and experiences just for you. We picked eight that show off our area’s many natural wonders. MI CHA ELS AU N DER S.CO M
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