PARKS and PLAYGROUNDS In St. Augustine
These are the parks that we return to again and again within close proximity of The Sand Bucket at Seaside.
S.W.I.N.G. Park (St. Augustine’s Wish for It’s Next Generation), Downtown St. Augustine
SWING park is located between Francis Field and across from the entrance to the downtown parking garage (behind the Visitors Center). This is a great playground right in downtown St. Augustine and a great place for kids to entertain themselves while you give your feet a rest from touring downtown. There are plenty of wooden structures for the kids to climb on, swing from, and hang on.
Ron Parker Memorial Park
Located at 607 Old Beach Road on Anastasia Island this is the closest traditional playground to The Sand Bucket at Seaside. The facilities here include swings, jungle gym style equipment, tennis courts, basketball courts, and picnic tables under huge oak trees. There are even a few old trees that older kids love to climb on.
Davenport Park
Also known as the carousel park or the park right by the library in downtown St. Augustine. this park is home to the J&S antique carousel that you can ride for $1. It is located on San Marco Ave right next to the St. Johns County main branch library. It has a full playground, swings, see-saw, and picnic tables. We usually see just as many "big" kids as small ones on the Carousel and the swings. Take notice of the one different animal on the otherwise "all horse" carousel.
UPDATE: Sadly, the owner of the Carousel passed away in September, 2019. It was his wish that the Carousel be dismantled after his death and moved to his hometown of Port Charlotte, Florida. During the last few days before it was dismantled, people stood in lines for hours to take one last ride and get a few final photos of this beautiful treasure that brought so much joy to so many. We hope the city will consider replacing this iconic treasure in the future.
Splash Park at the Pier
If you are looking for the right place to cool off in the Florida heat this is it! Located at the St. Augustine Pier, this park has volleyball, a full kids splash park, and a playground. But the best part is that this park is located right on the beach and the splash park is FREE. It is open and operating whenever the temperature is above 72 degrees, however it closes at sundown. It has public beach restrooms and outdoor showers to wash the sand off after a day on the beach or after a walk on the beach. You will find a few covered picnic tables if you wish to take a picnic. There are also bocce ball courts. This is where the Wednesday morning Farmer's Market is held and the summer Music By The Sea Concerts are held in the Pavillion here on Wednesday nights.
Lighthouse Park
Lighthouse Park is located within view of the St. Augustine Lighthouse on Salt Run on Anastasia Island. The park is shaded with oaks and offers picnic tables, a boat ramp, a playground, and public tennis courts at the J. Edward “Red” Cox Recreation Facility. Public restrooms are available on-site. There are a few gnarly trees that kids love climbing and hanging on.
Lakeside Park
Located in the 2300 block of A1A South on Anastasia Island the area is home to Lakeside Park which includes a Veterans Memorial, a sculpture garden and a small lake.
The Veterans Memorial was designed by local architect Mike Stauffer in 2009 and is now the site of the city’s annual Veterans Day observance. The sculptures here are the work of Thomas Glover White. There are walkable paths, benches for rest, picnic tables, charcoal grills and a boardwalk along the edge of the lake which is stocked with a variety of fish. A fishing license is not required. You may also see anhingas, white egrets, and possibly an alligator or two. Admission and parking at the city's lot between City Hall and the Police Station is free. This is a nice little place to visit if you are out for a walk while staying at The Sand Bucket at Seaside.
Treaty Park
This park is the farthest from The Sand Bucket at Seaside, but is the park with everything. It is located at 1595 Wildwood Dr. It is a 47-acre complex with a huge skate park , dog park, a one mile walking/biking trail, softball fields, two multi-purpose soccer fields, lighted tennis courts, paddle tennis courts, pickle ball courts, racquetball courts, bocce ball courts, basketball courts, a handicap accessible playground, horseshoe courts, a picnic pavilion, charcoal grills, and a 3-acre lake with a nature trail and a canoe trail.
The Sand Bucket at Seaside is a private owned condo on St. Augustine Beach and the perfect location for your vacation home while visiting St. Augustine. It is locally managed by Jamie Serenati with Coastal Realty to take care of our guests needs before and during their stay.
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