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Parks and Recreation

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The Town of Longboat Key is a barrier island with the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Sarasota Bay to the east. The parks and beaches on the Key are some of the most beautiful in the world. Residents, visitors, and animals alike are captivated by the natural beauty of Longboat Key. Many activities are available for all to enjoy.

Fishing is permitted in our parks unless otherwise posted. All park rules and regulations apply. Fishing, salt water and fresh water, is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.

View information on Special Events in our parks or on our beaches.

Parks

FAQs

Can I bring my pets to the beach?

Animals are prohibited on the beach, at beach accesses, bay accesses and public parks except for Joan M. Durante Park. (See Chapter 92 of the Town Code) Animals must be on a leash within Joan M. Durante Park and owners are responsible for picking up after their animals. Dogipot bags are available at the park for this purpose if you forgot to bring a bag or container with you.
Can I fish in the Park?

Fishing is permitted in our parks unless otherwise posted. All park rules and regulations apply. Fishing, salt water and fresh water, is regulated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Can I make a memorial donation to the Town such as a bench or tree to be placed or planted in a public park or beach?

The Town of Longboat Key no longer accepts memorial donations of benches or trees due to the cost of future maintenance and perpetual care. The Town does not wish to dishonor a memorial for a loved one by not being able to maintain the donation in the condition in which you may feel it deserves.
What are the flying insects hovering over the sand in the park?

Sand Wasps - not dangerous to be around and not a threat to people.

The large and small bee-like insects hovering and flying around the playground and along the trail are sand wasps. they are nesting in the sand around the margins of the playground. Unlike nesting honeybees, yellow jackets and hornets, they are not dangerous to be around and are not a threat to people. They do not aggressively defend their nests. In fact, one can walk through a nesting area without being threatened. Female sand wasps have dug individual burrows with cells in which they are laying eggs and provision with flies of other insects to feed their young larvae. They are considered to be beneficial because they capture flies, especially horse and deer flies as well as muscoid flies, a group which also include house flies. They have chosen the playground because of its sandy soil. However, because they like sandy habitats, many of them live together. Adult sand wasps are such agile and rapid fliers, it would be difficult to touch one. Control of these wasps is not necessary as female wasps are not aggressive. Males, which cannot sting, sometimes hover around people to declare their territory.
What is "beach wrack"?

"Beach Wrack" refers to the piles of seaweed, terrestrial plants, and animal remains that wash ashore and are found in the tideline. Large clumps of wrack are found on our beaches after storms. This wrack is mainly composed of marine algae, or seaweed, which comes from offshore kelp beds.
What is the Erosion Control Tax on my tax bill?

In 2011 Longboat Key voters approved a bond referendum authorizing borrowing and repayment of $16 million for beach nourishment. Eighty percent (80%) of the voters approved the ballot question. The Town did not assess the voter approved tax to repay the $16 million until 2014. Now we are undertaking several beach projects with the approved funds and funds from Tourist Development Taxes and State of Florida grants.

Within the next two years we expect to complete dredging of New Pass and Longboat Pass and placement of the dredged material on Longboat Key beaches. We also expect to place sand in the central part of the Town via truck hauling. In the next two to three years we expect to expend about $20 million on beach nourishment and stabilization projects. The increase in the Erosion Control tax is to repay the voter approved debt associated with borrowing $16 million for beach projects described above. The bonds will be paid off on or before 2021.

More FAQs

Information on current and previous storms: Hurricane Information

LIMITED BEACH ACCESSES OPEN - USE CAUTION

Town of Longboat Key, FL

Documents

Parks and Recreation

Parks

Bayfront Park

Bicentennial Park

Joan M Durante Park

Longboat Key Public Tennis Center

Overlook Park

Quick Point Nature Preserve