Parks & Playgrounds Guide

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Do you want to see all of the local parks that our area has to offer?

Check out the wonderful parks and playgrounds in the Pensacola area below!

DOWNTOWN PENSACOLA

CENTENNIAL PLAYGROUND

301 W. Main St
Pensacola, FL 32501

Located on the grounds of the Vince J. Whibbs, Sr. Community Maritime Park, this open playground includes unique play structures and a rubberized surface making it a safe area for kids of all ages. Bring a packed lunch and you can eat in the grass or the provided table seating in the shade. Located on the Pensacola Bay, right next to the Blue Wahoos Stadium, you’re never at a loss for things to do!

DISCOVERY SQUARE

330 S. Jefferson St.
Pensacola, FL 32502

Part of the UWF Historic Trust’s Museum Plaza, Discovery Square is an interactive early learning playground. The playground equipment reflects the industries that Pensacola is known for: fishing, timber, shipping, brick making, and transportation. Definitely worth a visit if you’re spending time downtown or visiting the UWF Historic Trust museums.

CORRINE JONES PARK

620 E. Government St.
Pensacola, FL 32502

Located in the historic Tanyard neighborhood, Corrine Jones park is perfect for toddlers as well as older children. It is a fairly new park and is lots of fun! The playground equipment caters to all ages, from small slides and toddler swings to a rock-climbing wall and a basketball court for older kids. Corrine Jones Park is also the Pensacola’s first park to have two-person Expression Swings®  which allows toddlers (ages 24-48 months) and an adult rider to face each other while swinging! There are picnic areas and walking trails, including a path around the Government Street Regional Stormwater Pond.

EAST HILL

BAYVIEW PARK

2001 W. Lloyd St
Pensacola, FL 32503

Bayview Park has so much to offer – playground equipment, kayak rentals, covered picnic areas, tennis courts, walking paths, covered picnic tables and lots of grassy areas to run around. Great for kids and families of all ages. Located along Bayou Texar and the heart of East Hill, it is always very lively and if you’re bringing your furry, four-legged babies, Bayview also has a dog park as well as Pensacola’s only dog beach.

MALAGA SQUARE

1000 E. Blount St.
Pensacola, FL 32503

Malaga Square is a great neighborhood park located at the Northeast corner of 10th Avenue on Blount Street in East Hill. Plenty of open green space, in addition to playground equipment, swings, and basketball courts.

TOLEDO SQUARE

1700 E. Gonzalez St.
Pensacola, FL 32501

In addition to playground equipment and walking paths, Toledo Square has covered picnic areas making it a nice spot for lunch and playtime for the kids. Lots of open space to run around and even have a pick up game of soccer.

CORDOVA PARK

AVIATION DISCOVERY PARK

4200 Jerry L. Maygarden Rd
Pensacola, FL 32503

The General Daniel “Chappie” James Jr. Aviation Discovery Park Project in Pensacola opened to the public in 2006. It is located right near the Pensacola International Airport and provides an excellent view of airport operations. There is a play area for younger visitors, as well as a miniature control tower, a layout of the runways, and radio equipment to listen to the communication between the control tower and aircraft. There is also a shaded area with picnic tables. Open 6am to 8pm daily.

DUNWOODY PARK

3868 Baisden Rd.
Pensacola, FL 32503

Dunwoody Park is located in a quiet neighborhood in Cordova Park. Here you will find baseball/basketball areas, gazebo, a pavilion, picnic tables, a playground, swings (including those for toddlers), and a walking path that encompasses the park. In addition, many youth sports practices are held here, so if you have a younger child that needs to tag along to their older sibling’s practice, you have an area to keep them entertained!

HITZMAN-OPTIMIST PARK

3221 Langley Ave.
Pensacola, FL 32504

A new playground was installed at Hitzman-Optimist Park in 2019. This new playground was designed to be accessible for people of all ages and abilities and encourages the development of the whole child. The park also features a 9-hole disc golf course, plenty of shaded picnic areas, soccer fields, and a baseball field. Public restrooms on-site.

ROGER SCOTT ATHLETIC COMPLEX

2130 Summit Blvd. Pensacola, FL 32503

This complex is not your average park, it is loaded with activities to enjoy the sunshine. The Roger Scott Athletic Complex has a public pool (admission fee), baseball/ softball fields, soccer field, tennis courts, playground equipment, dog park, and walking paths/ trails. In the heart of the sports complex is the Vickrey Resource Center which hosts a number of activities for children and adults, anywhere from after school care to guitar lessons to exercise classes.

BAY BLUFFS PARK

3505 Scenic HWwy. Pensacola, FL 32504

Nature can be your playground! The trails lead you down stairs and a slight decline, so this is not stroller friendly. You’ll pop out of the short walk under trees toward the Escambia Bay. This is a great place to walk along the water and the kids can run, skip rocks, explore, and just be kids.

BRYAN PARK

1200 Langley Ave.
Pensacola, FL 32504

This park has something for everyone. You could easily spend a morning here between the library, playground, pirate ship, and walking trail. The parking lot for the park is also the parking lot for the Tryon Branch Library. Swing by and pick up a couple books for some fun reading and then head over to play at the park. There is a massive climbing structure, like a spider web, that the 5+ year olds will love it. There are pavilions and benches throughout the park and paved walking trail for you to take a stroll. Another unique feature is a huge 2 story pirate ship, perfect for imaginative play out in the sun! You don’t want to pass this gem up.

UWF WEST CAMPUS TRAILS

Pate Road Pensacola, FL 32514

This is not considered a playground, rather it is a hub of fantastic trails for hiking and off-road cyclists. You may question whether you’re going the correct way because you’ll be driving down a road that leads you to Gulf Power. But keep going and on the south side of the road is the dirt parking lot. Although it is not very clearly marked, you’re in the right spot. The north side of the road is considered the “Game Side” and the south side of the road is the “Main Side”. The UWF website has more information about navigating the trails, so you’re encouraged to become familiar with the trail map before you head out.

WEST PENSACOLA/PERDIDO

CIVITAN PARK

404 S. 2nd St.
Pensacola, FL 32507

This 2-acre neighborhood park in Warrington is a beautiful waterfront park with a covered pavilion, playground, a walking path, and a fishing pier along with a small launch for canoes and kayaks. The park also features a grill and a picnic area.

PERDIDO KIDS PARK

1004 CR-292A
Pensacola, FL 32507

Just off Gulf Beach Highway, this unique kids’ playground is a local favorite. The park includes wooden playgrounds with swings and slides. In addition to the playground equipment, there are also rock climbing walls, wooden Blue Angel planes, and forts including a lighthouse. Perdido Kids Park also features a separated gated toddler area for little kids with climbing structures, ride-on toys, and swings. There are also picnic tables with umbrellas and there is a covered pavilion, as well as public restrooms and a water fountain.

SANDERS BEACH PARK

913 S. I St.
Pensacola, FL 32502

A fun park on Pensacola Bay. It is equipped with a playground, grills, a picnic area, as well as a boat launch and fishing pier. Sanders Beach Park is just a short distance from Corrine Jone Park and Resource Center.

BEULAH COMMUNITY PARK

7820 Mobile Hwy Pensacola, FL 32526

This park was renovated recently and has all new playground equipment. There is a covered pavilion, clean restrooms, and lots of room for the children to run around. The park connects to the local Equestrian Center, which would make for a lovely walk.

MILTON/PACE

BENNY RUSSELL PARK

5417 W. Spencer Field Rd.
Pace, FL 32571

This amazing park and playground in Pace is a local favorite! There are lots of play structures, imaginative play structures, swings, and slides to keep kids of all ages busy. There is also plenty of parking, pavilions, and public restrooms. The park is undergoing an expansion and the completion date was Spring 2021, but COVID-19 has delayed construction. The improvements will include a splash pad with a restroom, a new playground for ages five through 12, a fitness fun-zone court, a multi-purpose train, a multi-purpose sports field, and picnic pavilions.

CARPENTER'S PARK

5252 Munson Hwy.
Milton, FL 32570

Carpenter’s Park in Milton features a variety of playground equipment, boat ramps with trailer parking areas, picnic shelters, and a large pavilion. However, the biggest attraction is the addition of a new splash pad that recently opened in June 2020.

FLORIDATOWN PARK

3900 Floridatown Rd. Pace, FL 32571

This 5.5 acre park is right along Escambia Bay. The park often gets a beautiful breeze and it is a great way to explore the habitat of plants and animals on the coast. There are 4 pavilions and benches scattered throughout so you can have a picnic or take a break in the shade. The playground equipment is relatively new and is perfect for age 18 months and beyond. There is also a basketball court, so don’t forget your ball. You’ll also see a large grass area that would be perfect for throwing or kicking a ball around, or a game of tag.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY SPORTSPLEX

5976 Chumuckla Hwy Pace, FL 32571

This park has tons of baseball fields and tennis courts, but there is also a park near the entrance that is perfect for toddler and preschool aged children. You will also find outdoor fitness equipment for teens and adults to exercise on. There is a little bit for everyone here!

OPTIMIST PARK

6244 Old Bagdad Hwy.
Milton, FL 32570

Optimist Park in Santa Rosa County underwent a renovation in 2018. The playground now features a “lumber mill town” theme depicting elements of the area’s history of river and rail transportation. The 17.8-acre park has rubberized surfacing making the play area accessible for those of all abilities. ADA-friendly play structures are designed for two age groups: two through five and five through 12. Two shade structures and four benches offer a comfortable area for rest. An ADA-compliant sidewalk system provides interconnectivity throughout the majority of the facility, which also features two baseball fields, a pavilion, and a dog park.

GULF BREEZE/NAVARRE

NAVARRE PARK

8513 Navarre Pkwy.
Navarre, FL 32566

Located on the Santa Rosa Sound just off the Navarre Beach Bridge. This park not only features a playground with beautiful views, including swings that face the water, but also a splash pad. The splash pad is open Sunday – Tuesday from 9am to 5pm (closed Mondays).

SHORELINE PARK

800 Shoreline Dr.
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

Shoreline Park in Gulf Breeze is a great place to take the kids fishing or hiking. There are nature trails as well as a paved walking path. The park has a swimming area as well as picnic tables and a boat launch.

TIGER POINT PARK

1370 Tiger Point Ln
Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

Tiger Point Park features athletic fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a 1-mile walking track, and two playgrounds. Park hours are 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m and reservations are required for the athletic fields and pavillions.

NATIONAL & STATE PARKS

BIG LAGOON STATE PARK

12301 Gulf Beach Hwy.
Pensacola, FL 32507

Big Lagoon State Park is a 705-acre Florida State Park located 10 miles southwest of Pensacola on Gulf Beach Highway. Big Lagoon has activities and amenities for everyone – beaches, boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking trails, kayaking, picnicking and camping sites, and wildlife viewing from a four-story observation tower and footbridge. Great spot for a fun filled, action packed day with the family.

FORT PICKENS

800 Shoreline Dr.
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561

Fort Pickens, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, is a pre-civil war fort located at the western end of Santa Rosa Island. The fort is largely intact and has plenty to see and do for a day trip. You may walk all around and inside the fort, or walk around the many trails. Bring a snack and a drink, as there are no dining facilities. You may also take a passenger ferry from downtown Pensacola to Ft. Pickens. Operating hours and directions may be found on the National Park Service website.

FORT BARRANCAS

3182 Taylor Rd.
Pensacola, FL 32508

Fort Barrancas is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, and is located on Naval Air Station Pensacola. Portions of the fort date back to the 18th century, and it has been occupied by the Spanish, French, British, Confederacy, and U.S. Army. Visitors can roam inside the fort on a self-guided tour, and there is a small museum where visitors can learn the history of the fort. Visitors may also walk the grounds of the Advanced Redoubt fort, located nearby. Public access to the fort is via the West Gate to NAS Pensacola when the base is accepting visitors. See the NAS Pensacola facebook page or the Gulf Islands National Seashore webpage for opening times.

TARKLIN BAYOU PRESERVE STATE PARK

2401 Bauer Rd Pensacola, FL 32506

This 4,000+ acre park is filled with rare plant and animal species across a wet-prairie landscape. A boardwalk offers visitors of all ability levels to view the wild and beautiful bayou. This is a perfect place to enjoy a picnic and take a hike on the nature trails. You can also go fishing, geo-seeking, mountain biking, and observe wildlife.

BLACK WATER RIVER STATE PARK

7720 Deaton Bridge Rd Milton, FL 32564

The Blackwater River State Park has many different activities for an outdoor enthusiast. The park covers almost 600 acres and is great for bicycling, camping, fishing, hiking, paddling, swimming, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Once arriving at the park, you can access trails at 2 different points. You can access the Chain of Lakes Nature Trail before you go over the bridge on Deaton Bridge Rd and the Florida Trail just on the other side of the bridge. The Juniper Trail can be accessed by parking near the campground. If you don’t own gear, no worries! There are local kayak, canoe, and tube rentals so you can float down the river.

ARCADIA MILL

5709 Mill Pond Ln Milton, FL 32583

Arcadia Mill showcases ongoing work to uncover Florida’s first “modern” industrial complex. The remains of a sawmill, dam, and water works, as well as a  textile mill and the railroad that served it are along an interpretive boardwalk above seepage bogs flowing into a tributary of the Blackwater River. There is 3/4 mile interpretive boardwalk, so you could bring a stroller or wheel chair. It also has at least a mile of natural surface trails. For an adventure, take the “paths less traveled” at the T where the boardwalk begins. It leads you down a boardwalk and across a bridge over a swift-moving creek to a scramble on skinny ridges through a forest.

 

 

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