mary mcleod bethune beach park

lelujam

My friend took me to this park one morning, because we wanted to see manatees live. Beautiful view at the river, great place for fishing, board surfing, kayaking, or simply watching the birds and dolphins (when they wish to show up). Manatee showed up just for a quick second, so we at least could see her a bit under the water. Sweet little thing. We saw birds standing in shallow water and they looked as if they were walking on the water surface. Nice place to visit, especially if you have little kids. They would love it. I certainly did.

mangermanger

We winter just down the road from the Mary Mcleod Bethune Beach park, so we go there often. Parking is available and park entry is free. There is a small play area for children, nicely upgraded since last winter, and a few sheltered picnic tables. A small boardwalk allows for fishing or watching for dolphins. It is interesting and a lot of fun to watch the pelicans try to steal food from the dolphins as they feed. We've yet to see manatees, though, although they have been spotted, I'm told, when the weather (and water) is warm.

PatB758

This is a clean park with a great beach. Always plenty of parking. We live in the sanford area and it is only a 45 minute drive. We enjoy walks on the beach and always feel safe here.

wittybrit

You can park on the ocean side of the street but the wildlife is across the street on the cove side. The manatees want warm water so they are not here in the winter (instead go to Blue Spring State Park in Orange City). We were delighted by a dolphin feeding for about 15 minutes shortly after we walked onto the wooden broadwalk at the back of the park overlooking the water.

Terri2416

Went there specifically to watch the manatees ... Fun!! We even saw a baby dolphin with its mama teaching it how to fish.

GetawayGirl1026

We took our 2 grandchildren there (ages 16 months and 3 years) expecting to find a playground, but there was nothing but a wooden walkway alongside the beach. We needed to change a diaper while we were there, but the bathrooms were locked (at 5:00 on a Wednesday), so we had to do it on a bench with only an outdoor spigot for cleanup. Wish we had read the reviews beforehand, but I still think our visit would have been disappointing.

jauna

This is a great area to view the Manatee. There is a wooden walkway for viewing or fishing. The park is a nice place for kiddos to blow off some steam.

K4676CFthomasd

This park is usually crowded; the parking area has potholes where water stands when raining. It is nice for family outings as there are two covered pavilions.

tprewitt53

It's not usually very busy here. Can't figure out why. Guess not to many people know about it. It has showers, changing rooms, bathrooms and pavillion.

HabermehlFamily

If you want to see Sea Manatees without being in the water this is the place to do it. On the West side of the park is a playground for children and a boardwalk on the water. There is a small cove that can be seen from the boardwalk or the small kayak ramp that the Sea Manatees hang out in. Several kayakers were in the cove just watching the Sea Manatees which did not bother the Manatees at all. The playground was fun for the children and had the soft rubber flooring.

Goldrockhunter

The west portion of this park is great for kids. It has a playground for kids. There is also a boardwalk on the water where you can usually see manatee and dolphins. The Ocean park on the east side of the park is on a no drive on beach so is less crowded then the beaches father North

LindaNSB

This park has great pavilions to use for family trip to the beach. Love the tables, barbecues and closeness to the beach. Love it

HeathH_13

I always enjoy hanging on the dock watching the dolphins swim and the Manatees. Has nice playground for younger children and small picnic areas. access to the beach.

jeffh999

There is a cove on the West side of the road with a little boardwalk... There are always dolphins and manatees and pelicans in the water there. Also wonderful sunset vantage point. The kids have fished and crabbed off that boardwalk and always have the best time.

vincentf89

We always stop by this park, usually to go to the lagoon side for the grand-kidz often in the late afternoons or evenings. Usually we see some dolphins eating/grazing with pelicans following them around for "seconds" and often manatees grazing in the bay area. Swings, fishing boardwalk, tennis, basketball, climbing apparatus, picnic tables, grills ~ make for a mellow locale -> the Eastern park-side, on the ocean side of the road, is GR8* too with more tables undercover, restrooms and picnic/grilling areas. Parking areas on both sides are adequate. Life guard in the summertime. Also there is a beach-side church service @ about 5/6 on Sundays that is a perfect location with "father Jim" conducting. Try it out !