Bayfront Park

This park is where the famous statue of the sailor kissing the nurse is. On the peninsula that creates the cove sheltering the marina is this very nice little park. Walkways meander under large trees and, along the way, many benches encourage people to sit and enjoy the view.

There it was, chained to a signpost with an owl on the handlebars, and a flamingo on the back fender, its frame wrapped in bark. It’s little things like this that make Sarasota great. Does anyone ever ride this bike, we wonder, or is it an art statement? Will we ever know?

While the inner curve faces the marina, on the outer edge of the peninsula waves gently lap the shore, and sandpipers search for dinner among the rocks. A statue of four children playing, entitled "Olympic Wannabees" is by the playground. Their childish, happy abandon can almost be felt.

Out near the point there is a fountain featuring dolphin figurines cavorting in the pool. Here is the perfect picnic spot where one can watch the small boats come in or the pelicans dive for fish.

Bayfront Park is located just off Route 41 just north of where it meets 301.

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Written by Lucy Noe