Top 7 Parks in Sarasota, FL for New Residents to Explore

Brock E Ruebel • April 14, 2025

The city of Sarasota isn’t just about stunning beaches and a thriving arts scene—it’s also home to some of the most beautiful parks in Florida. Whether you’re into serene waterfront picnics, family-friendly spaces, or lush hiking trails, Sarasota’s parks offer an incredible opportunity to connect with nature and recharge. For those who have recently moved to Sarasota, exploring these green spaces is a fantastic way to unwind and feel at home in your new city.

With playgrounds for kids, scenic walkways for morning jogs, and quiet spots for reflection, Sarasota’s parks are as diverse as its communities. Ready to embrace the great outdoors? Here are the Top 7 Parks in Sarasota, FL, every newcomer needs to discover.

1. Nathan Benderson Park

Location: East Sarasota

Known for its expansive lake and world-class rowing facilities, Nathan Benderson Park is a vibrant hub for outdoor recreation in Sarasota. This 600-acre park offers something for everyone, from water sports to peaceful sunset strolls. If you’ve just moved to Sarasota, this park is ideal for weekend outings with family and friends.

What Makes It Special:

  • A 400-acre lake, perfect for kayaking, paddleboarding, and enjoying the view.
  • Walking and biking trails encircling the lake, ideal for fitness enthusiasts.
  • Home to international rowing championships and events throughout the year.

Who Enjoys It: Rowers, joggers, families, and anyone looking for a mix of activity and relaxation.

Pro Tip: Bring a picnic and find a scenic spot by the water to enjoy Sarasota’s stunning sunsets.

2. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Location: Bayfront Downtown Sarasota

You don’t have to be a plant enthusiast to fall in love with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, a breathtaking urban oasis. Nestled along Sarasota Bay, this 15-acre garden highlights rare and exotic plants, providing a one-of-a-kind experience for nature lovers.

What Makes It Special:

  • Renowned for its collection of orchids and tropical plants.
  • Beautiful views of Sarasota Bay from the gardens.
  • Fascinating exhibits in the Tropical Conservatory and the Ann Goldstein Children’s Rainforest Garden.

Who Enjoys It: Locals, tourists, and families with kids looking for a fun (and educational) outing.

Pro Tip: Stop by Selby’s café for a relaxing bite surrounded by lush greenery—perfect for unwinding after the hustle and bustle of moving day.

3. Myakka River State Park

Location:  South Sarasota County

One of Florida’s oldest and most scenic parks, Myakka River State Park is a nature lover’s paradise. With expansive wetlands, wildlife, and recreational options galore, the park offers an escape into the wilderness just a short drive from Sarasota’s city center.

What Makes It Special:

  • Wildlife-rich views featuring alligators, birds, and deer.
  • Explore more than 58 square miles of walking trails, kayaking, and canopy walkways.
  • Boat tours available to explore the tranquil waters of the Myakka River.

Who Enjoys It: Adventurous hikers, photographers, and families eager to immerse themselves in authentic Florida nature.

Pro Tip: Hike the canopy walk for sweeping treetop views of the surrounding wilderness!

4. Payne Park

Location: Central Sarasota

This centrally located urban park is a favorite among local families and fitness enthusiasts. Payne Park’s sprawling grounds and family-friendly features make it a perfect day trip destination after settling into your new Sarasota home.

What Makes It Special:

  • A dedicated skate park for kids and teens.
  • The fun-filled Circus Playground, a nod to Sarasota’s circus heritage.
  • Paths for jogging or walking, plus relaxing picnic areas under shady trees.

Who Enjoys It:  Families with kids, dog owners, and active individuals looking for a quick outdoor escape.

Pro Tip: Call ahead to check for free yoga classes or community events held regularly in the park.

5. Bayfront Park

Location: Downtown Sarasota

For those who want waterfront serenity with plenty of space to roam, Bayfront Park is the answer. Located along Sarasota Bay, this park offers spectacular views and opportunities for leisure amidst the city hustle.

What Makes It Special:

  • Walkways lined with sculptures and artwork, adding a cultural touch to your stroll.
  • A playground and splash pads for kids.
  • Boat and kayak rentals available for those ready to explore the water.

Who Enjoys It: Families, couples, and professionals taking a scenic lunch break.

Pro Tip: Start your day with yoga or meditation here while enjoying the sounds of the bay lapping at the shore.

6. Oscar Scherer State Park

Location: Osprey (just south of Sarasota proper)

This hidden gem provides a peaceful escape into Florida’s natural beauty, less than 20 minutes from downtown Sarasota. Oscar Scherer State Park is perfect for all ages and especially great for outdoor adventurers.

What Makes It Special:

  • Home to the endangered Florida Scrub-Jay, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.
  • Over 15 miles of hiking and biking trails with stunning lake and forest views.
  • Swimming, fishing, and canoeing in the pristine South Creek.

Who Enjoys It: Hikers, nature enthusiasts, and families looking for a quiet day outdoors.

Pro Tip: Reserve a campsite for an unforgettable weekend under the stars!

7. Rothenbach Park

Location:  East Sarasota

If you’re looking for a peaceful, lesser-known park to enjoy Sarasota’s natural beauty, Rothenbach Park fits the bill. This hidden gem is perfect for mornings spent walking or biking along scenic trails.

What Makes It Special:

  • 5 miles of paved hiking and biking trails through protected wetlands.
  • Quiet, uncrowded picnic areas for family outings.
  • A playground for kids that enhances its family-friendly appeal.

Who Enjoys It: Retirees, cyclists, and anyone yearning for a quieter, nature-focused experience.

Pro Tip: It’s an excellent spot for birdwatching, so don’t forget your binoculars!

Unpack and Start Exploring Sarasota’s Natural Beauty

Moving to Sarasota means plenty of sunshine, a vibrant community, and no shortage of outdoor adventures. These top parks are just a taste of what makes Sarasota such a special place to call home. Whether you’re kayaking through Myakka River State Park or enjoying a family picnic at Payne Park, you’ll quickly realize how easy it is to fall in love with Sarasota’s green spaces.

Need help getting settled? Let Happy Helpers Moving handle the heavy lifting while you start exploring the beautiful parks Sarasota has to offer. With their professional expertise and local knowledge, they make relocating to Sarasota stress-free, so you can spend more time outdoors and less time worrying about your move.

Welcome to Sarasota! Your adventure starts now—grab your sneakers, hit the trails, and let the sunshine guide your way.

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By Brock E Ruebel May 12, 2025
Is that beautiful piano, a source of music and memories in your Tampa home, now a source of worry as you plan your upcoming move? You're likely pondering, "How can I possibly move this delicate and heavy instrument safely to, from, or within Tampa?" It's a valid concern, and one that we at Happy Helpers Moving Company address with expertise and care every day. A piano isn't just another piece of furniture; it's a complex musical instrument, often with significant monetary and sentimental value. Moving it requires more than just muscle – it demands precision, specialized knowledge, and the right equipment. Whether you own an upright, a baby grand, or a concert grand, ensuring its safe passage during a relocation in the Tampa Bay area is paramount. That's where our dedicated Tampa piano moving services become your greatest asset. Why Entrusting Your Tampa Piano Move to Professionals is Non-Negotiable Attempting to move a piano yourself or with inexperienced help can lead to a cascade of undesirable outcomes. Pianos are notoriously heavy, awkwardly shaped, and internally intricate. Here’s why professional intervention is crucial: Preventing Damage to the Piano: A piano has thousands of moving parts, delicate strings, and a finely tuned action. Improper handling can cause internal damage that is costly to repair, affecting its sound and playability. The exterior finish is also susceptible to scratches, dents, and cracks. Avoiding Property Damage: Maneuvering a piano through doorways, hallways, and staircases in your Tampa home or business requires skill. Without it, you risk damaging walls, floors, door frames, and other property. Ensuring Personal Safety: Piano moving is physically demanding and poses a significant risk of injury if not done correctly. Strains, sprains, and more serious injuries can occur from attempting to lift or control such a heavy object without proper training and equipment. Specialized Equipment and Techniques: Professional piano movers utilize custom dollies, skid boards, ramps, padding, and strapping techniques specifically designed for pianos. They understand the instrument's balance points and how to navigate challenging spaces. At HappyHelpers Moving Company , we treat every piano move with the meticulous attention it deserves, ensuring both your instrument and your property are protected throughout the process. Selecting the Right Piano Movers in Tampa: What to Consider When choosing a company for your piano relocation in Tampa, it’s important to do your homework. Look for: Demonstrable Experience: Ask about their specific experience with moving pianos similar to yours. How many piano moves do they handle in the Tampa area? Adequate Insurance Coverage: Ensure the company has proper liability and cargo insurance that specifically covers high-value items like pianos. Don't hesitate to ask for proof of insurance. Specialized Piano Moving Equipment: Inquire about the tools and equipment they use. Generic moving equipment is often not sufficient for pianos. Positive Customer Reviews: Check online reviews and testimonials, particularly from clients who have used their piano moving services in Tampa. See what our Tampa clients say about their experiences with Happy Helpers . Transparent Pricing: Get a detailed, written estimate that outlines all costs involved. Avoid companies with vague pricing or hidden fees. Knowledge of Piano Types: Different pianos (spinets, consoles, uprights, baby grands, grands) have different moving requirements. A knowledgeable mover will understand these distinctions. The Happy Helpers Piano Moving Process Our approach to moving your piano in Tampa is systematic and designed for maximum safety and efficiency: Thorough Assessment: We begin by assessing your piano, its current location, and its destination in Tampa. We’ll note the type, size, and weight of the piano, as well as any access challenges like stairs, tight corners, or narrow hallways. Detailed Preparation: Before the move, we meticulously prepare your piano. This includes securing the lid and keyboard cover, and often involves wrapping the piano in protective blankets and padding to prevent scratches and impact damage. Specialized Equipment Deployment: We use piano dollies, skid boards (piano boards), and heavy-duty straps designed to bear the weight and protect the structure of your instrument. Expert Handling and Transportation: Our trained Tampa piano moving team carefully maneuvers the piano out of your old location, securely loads it onto our truck (ensuring it’s properly braced and protected from shifts during transit), and transports it to your new Tampa address. Careful Unloading and Placement: Upon arrival, we carefully unload the piano and place it in its designated spot in your new home or venue. We take care to ensure it's positioned safely and correctly. We understand that moving to the Tampa area can involve many details, and we aim to make the piano moving aspect completely worry-free. Preparing Your Piano and Space for the Move Even when hiring professionals like us, a few preparatory steps can help ensure an even smoother process: Clear the Pathway: Ensure a clear and unobstructed path from the piano's current location to the exit, and at the destination from the entrance to its new spot. Remove rugs, furniture, and any other potential obstacles. Protect Flooring (If Concerned): While we take utmost care, if you have particularly delicate flooring, discuss any additional protective measures with us beforehand. Take Photographs: For your peace of mind, take photos of your piano from all angles before the move. Communicate Special Concerns: If your piano has any loose parts, prior damage, or specific sentimental value, please communicate this to our Tampa moving team beforehand. Post-Move Tuning: Pianos are sensitive instruments. Even with the most careful move, changes in temperature and humidity, along with the physical movement, can affect its tuning. It's generally recommended to let your piano acclimate to its new environment in Tampa for a few weeks before having it tuned by a professional. The Piano Technicians Guild is a great resource for finding qualified technicians. Beyond Pianos: Moving Services in Tampa While we pride ourselves on our specialized piano moving capabilities, Happy Helpers Moving Company offers a full range of services to meet all your Tampa relocation needs . Whether you're moving an entire household, an office, or just a few large items, we bring the same level of care and professionalism. If you're exploring Tampa's diverse neighborhoods , we can help you get there smoothly. We also believe that good preparation is key to any successful relocation. Our blog offers many resources, including essential packing advice , to help you prepare for every aspect of your move.
By Brock E Ruebel May 12, 2025
Is your Tampa-based business on the move, gearing up for expansion, or relocating to a more strategic location within our vibrant city? As a business owner, you know that a commercial move is a far more complex undertaking than a simple residential shift. You're likely asking, "How can I ensure this office relocation in Tampa minimizes downtime, protects valuable assets, and keeps my team productive?" At Happy Helpers Moving Company, we specialize in turning these daunting questions into a streamlined, successful reality. Tampa is a thriving hub for businesses of all sizes, offering a dynamic economic environment and a fantastic quality of life. Whether you're a startup finding your first office space or an established corporation upgrading your headquarters, a well-executed move is crucial for maintaining momentum. Unlike moving a home, a commercial relocation involves intricate logistics, from IT infrastructure and specialized equipment to coordinating with employees and managing sensitive documents. That's where our expertise as dedicated Tampa commercial moving specialists comes into play. The Unique Landscape of Commercial Relocations A business move isn't just about transporting desks and computers; it's about relocating your entire operational core. The stakes are high: minimizing disruption to your services, ensuring the safety of critical equipment, and managing the transition for your employees are all paramount. Key challenges often include: Minimizing Operational Downtime: Every hour your business isn't fully operational can mean lost revenue and productivity. IT and Technology Migration: Safely disconnecting, transporting, and reinstalling servers, workstations, and network infrastructure requires specialized knowledge. Handling Specialized Equipment: Many businesses have unique machinery, lab equipment, or oversized items that need expert handling. Employee Coordination and Communication: Keeping your team informed and engaged throughout the moving process is vital for morale and a smooth transition. Inventory Management and Asset Protection: Accurately tracking and safely moving all business assets, from furniture to files, is essential. Understanding these complexities is the first step towards a successful commercial move in Tampa. For insights into general business planning, resources like the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offer valuable guidance that can be adapted to relocation strategies.
By Brock E Ruebel May 12, 2025
Feeling that pre-move panic as you look around your Sarasota home, wondering where to even begin with all the accumulated belongings? You're not alone! Many of our clients tell us that one of the most daunting tasks before a move is dealing with years of accumulated items – the things you no longer need, use, or even remember you had. If the thought, "How will I ever get rid of all this junk before we move?" is crossing your mind, we at Happy Helpers Moving Company have a stress-free solution for you. Moving is the perfect opportunity for a fresh start, but that fresh start can feel buried under piles of unwanted items. Whether you're downsizing, decluttering for staging, or simply want to avoid moving unnecessary things to your new Sarasota residence, professional junk removal can be a game-changer. Let's explore how our Sarasota junk removal services can transform your pre-move experience from overwhelming to manageable. Why Decluttering Before a Sarasota Move is Essential Beyond the obvious benefit of having less to pack and move (which can save you time and money!), decluttering offers several advantages: Reduces Moving Costs: Fewer items mean less packing material, less space on the moving truck, and potentially lower moving fees. Saves Time and Energy: Packing, loading, and unpacking unwanted items is a waste of your valuable time and energy, which are precious commodities during a move. Creates a Fresh Start: Moving into a new home is an opportunity to create a space that truly reflects your current lifestyle. Starting with only the things you love and need makes this much easier. Increases Home Appeal (If Selling): A decluttered home looks more spacious and appealing to potential buyers, potentially leading to a quicker sale and better offers. While the benefits are clear, the process itself can be challenging. That's where professional help, like the services offered by your local Sarasota movers and junk haulers , can make all the difference. When Junk Removal Becomes a Necessity, Not a Luxury For many, decluttering is a manageable DIY project. However, there are situations where professional junk removal becomes invaluable: Large Volume of Items: If you have a significant amount of unwanted furniture, appliances, or general clutter, hauling it away yourself can be a massive undertaking. Heavy or Awkward Items: Old mattresses, broken appliances, or bulky furniture are difficult and potentially dangerous to move without the right equipment and manpower. Time Constraints: The moving timeline is often tight. If you're short on time, dedicating days or weeks to junk removal might not be feasible. Physical Limitations: For seniors or individuals with physical limitations, the task of heavy lifting and hauling is simply not an option. Our Sarasota senior moving support often incorporates junk removal for this very reason. Responsible Disposal: Knowing how and where to dispose of different types of items responsibly (recycling, donation, proper landfill use) can be confusing. A professional service handles this for you. For general tips on eco-friendly disposal, resources like Earth911 offer great guidance.