Venetian Waterway Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Venetian Waterway Park |
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| Length | 5.3 miles (Island) 4.0 miles (Mainland) 9.3 miles (Total) |
| Location | Venice, Florida, United States |
| Trailheads | Island: Venice Area Beautification Inc. Caspersen Beach Mainland: Venice Avenue Bridge Shamrock Park & Nature Center 27°06′10″N 82°26′41″W / 27.1029°N 82.4446°W |
| Use | Cycling, Walking, Hiking, Jogging |
| Season | Year round |
| Sights | Venice Inlet |
| Hazards | Close to ICW, Crossing Minor Roads, Crossing Bridges with Vehicular Traffic |
| Surface | Concrete |
| Website | Venetian Waterway Park |
The Venetian Waterway Park is a cool, paved trail in Venice, Florida. It stretches for about 9.3-mile (15.0 km) along the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway. This park was created by a team effort from Venice Area Beautification Inc. (VABI), Sarasota County, and the city of Venice. It's a great place for biking, walking, jogging, and exploring the outdoors!
Contents
Exploring the Venetian Waterway Park
The park has two main parts. One section is on the island side of Venice, and the other is on the mainland. Both trails follow the Intracoastal Waterway, which is a big channel for boats. The two parts of the park are connected by the Venice Avenue Bridge and the Circus Bridge, making it easy to go from one side to the other.
Discovering the Trail Sections
The Venetian Waterway Park offers different experiences on its island and mainland sections. Each part has its own starting and ending points, and unique sights to see.
The Island Trail
The northern end of the Island trail starts near the Venice Area Beautification Inc. office. From there, it heads south, following the Intracoastal Waterway. You'll pass under US 41 Business and go by Venice High School. The trail then winds through different areas, sometimes acting like a wide sidewalk, until it reaches its southern end at Caspersen Beach. This beach is famous for finding shark teeth!
The Mainland Trail
The Mainland trail begins at E Venice Avenue, right under the bridge that crosses the Intracoastal Waterway. This spot is also where another popular trail, the Legacy Trail, starts. The Mainland trail goes south, staying close to the Intracoastal Waterway. You'll go under the Circus Bridge and continue all the way to Shamrock Park & Nature Center, which is a great place to explore nature.
Fun Activities at the Park
The Venetian Waterway Park is perfect for many outdoor activities. You can ride your bike, go for a walk, or enjoy a jog. It's a flat, concrete path, which makes it easy for everyone to use. As you travel along the trail, you'll get to see the Venice Inlet and enjoy views of the water.
Staying Safe on the Trail
While the park is lots of fun, it's good to be aware of a few things. The trail is close to the Intracoastal Waterway, so always be careful near the water. You will also cross some smaller roads and bridges where cars are present, so remember to look both ways and be aware of traffic.
