1. Castillo De San Marco
This beautiful park is located right by the water in downtown St. Augustine. You can pay to enter the fort and have a nice history lesson or walk around the outside and see one of their many cannon demonstrations for free. Some of my favorite things to do here is pack a picnic and eat it in the field next to the park and let the kids run around or grab a treat from downtown and watch the sunset over the water.
2. S.W.I.N.G. Park (St. Augustine’s Wish for It’s Next Generation)
This park is located by Francis field, across from the historic downtown parking garage. This is a great playground right in downtown St. Augustine. If we are spending a long day walking around the shops we will stop here and let the kids get their energy out before dinner. I love that this playground is wood crafted and feels like a big tree house. I honestly have as much fun as the kids do at this playground.
3. Davenport Park
Also known as the carousel park or the park right by the library, 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 always make a stop here when we are returning our library books to ride the horses on the carousel. Did you know that the ‘all-horse’ carousel has one camel? Look for it next time you are there!
4. 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. We like to get our local produce at the farmer’s market here on Wednesday mornings then cool off in the water and walk on the beach. It also has public beach restrooms and outdoor showers to wash the sand off your feet. If that isn’t enough for you, you can pay to fish off the pier. Truly something for the whole family.
5. Treaty Park
This park literally has everything you could ever wish for in a park. It is located at 1595 Wildwood Dr. It is a 47-acre complex complete with a skate park and dog park. This park has 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 that you can rent for events, charcoal grills, and a 3 acre lake with a nature trail and a canoe trail. Our favorite thing to do here is feed the many ducks then try to teach the kids how to skateboard like daddy at the Robert-Laryn skate park. These are just a few of the best parks in St. Augustine. They are all worth checking out, especially if you are looking for some free things to do around town. Which St. Augustine park is your favorite?
