Parks and Recreation Areas
Parks are plentiful in Cocoa Beach, the city known as the "Friendly Frontier of Space, Recreation, and Quality Living." To help residents and visitors find the right spot for leisure activities, the city is providing this directory and map. Each of the city's 12 recreation facilities is described below.
[1] Cocoa Beach
Recreation Complex
Located at the west end of Minutemen Causeway
The recreation complex is a 212-acre community park featuring a 27-hole championship golf course. The complex also includes an Olympic-sized swimming poll, 10 lighted tennis courts including 2 clay courts and a team sports complex featuring baseball, softball, and soccer fields. The golf course and racquet club provide full-service pro shops. Golf, tennis, and swim lessons are also offered. A community center, pavilion, and a new golf pro shop/restaurant are also part of the complex.
Located at the east end of State Road 520
Shepard Park is a five-acre, ocean-front park providing picnic, shower, and restroom facilities for guests. The park was named after astronaut Alan Shepard and provides an excellent view of space launches. Facilities include 10 large picnic pavilions, several smaller covered picnic tables and a bathhouse. More than 300 parking spaces are available for automobiles and recreational vehicles. Many popular tourist related retail shops are within easy walking distance. The parking fees for Shepard Park shall be $7.00, except for: weekends and holidays from March 1 to the first day after Labor Day, in which the parking fee shall be $10 per vehicle space. Buses are not permitted. Overnight parking is not permitted. Click "Here" to see photos of the construction of Shepard Park's new walkway.
[3] Constitution Bicentennial Park
Located on the State Road 520 Causeway, just west of Cape Canaveral Hospital
Constitution Bicentennial Park is a one-acre roadside recreation site providing boat launch facilities. The park was dedicated in 1988 as a permanent reminder of the importance of the U. S. Constitution. The park features 23 car/trailer parking spaces, and four sheltered picnic tables.
[4] Sidney Fischer Park
Located on the east side of State Road A1A in the central beach area
A 10-acre, ocean-front park, Fischer is a family favorite. The park is an ideal place for a picnic and a swim in the Atlantic. About 200 parking spaces, picnic pavilions and shower and restroom facilities are provided. The park was named after Sidney Fischer, who served as the mayor of Cocoa Beach from 1956 to 1960. The parking fee is $5 for cars and recreational vehicles. Buses are not permitted. Park closes at dusk - no overnight parking permitted.
[5] Offenhauser Recreation Center
Located on Ramp Road between Brevard Avenue and Sunrise Drive
The Offenhauser Recreation Center, is also known as the Ramp Road Recreation Center, is a gymnasium that serves as the site of various classes and league activities. Whether you are interested in basketball or ballet, the recreation department offers a class for you at this location.
[6] Lori Wilson Park
Located south of
Sidney Fischer Park in the central beach area
This 20-acre, ocean-front park is operated by Brevard County. Facilities include restrooms, two pavilions, a nature boardwalk, a volleyball court, a playground, barbecue grills, and a 274-space parking lot. Park closes at dusk.
[7] Ramp Road Park Located at the west end of Ramp Road
This three-acre neighborhood park provides two boat ramps, picnic facilities, a fishing dock, and a lighted tennis court. Florida Sportsman magazine has ranked the park as one of the state's best fishing spots. The fishing dock and picnic facilities overlook the beautiful Thousand Islands, which are owned by the city. The city plans to keep the Thousand Islands in their natural state for future generations to enjoy. The annual "Paddle Battle" canoe race, which draws hundreds of participants from throughout the state, starts here each April.
[8] Astronaut Memorial Gardens Located along Volusia Lane between State Road A1A and Ocean Beach Boulevard
This one-acre, walk-through park was dedicated to the 10 astronauts who have lost their lives in space-related accidents. Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy the beautiful landscaping.
[9] Robert P. Murkshe Memorial Park
Located on State Road A1A and 16th Street South
This two-acre, ocean-front park, operated by Brevard County, offers parking, picnic and shower facilities. The park is named after Robert P. Murkshe, who served as Cocoa Beach mayor from 1963 to 1972.
[10] Palmetto Park - Dedicated in 2004 as the Cameron Barkley Park
Located between Alachua Lane and California Avenue, east of State Road A1A
Palmetto Park is a one-acre park providing two lighted tennis courts, a children's playground, and a horseshoe pit. Nearby street parking is available. This is a neighborhood park. No restroom facilities.
[11] Cocoa Isles Park
Located at Cocoa Isles Boulevard and Samar Road
This half-acre neighborhood park provides a playground for children. No restroom facilities.
[12] Cove Park
Located at McNabb Parkway and Dempsey Drive
Cove Park offers a playground, picnic facilities, and barbecue grills. Six on-street parking spaces are located adjacent to the half-acre park. Great spot for fishing or just watching the boats go by. This is a neighborhood park. No restroom facilities and limited parking.
Cocoa Beach Maritime Hammock Preserve - A New Park, acquired by the City in 2003
Located off S.R. A1A - North of the Intersection of North Atlantic (S.R. A1A) and Cocoa Isles Boulvard
The Cocoa Beach Maritime Hammock Preserve is unique Park that is located within the urbanized area of the City. It is a 5.4 acre site. It offers passive recreation such as walking trails and is a great site for bird waching.
Triangle Park
Located off S.R. A1A where the road splits going south, dividing the State Road into North and South Bound Road - Orlando heading South and Atlantic hearing North
A small park that welcomes area visitors to the downtown area. No parking and no restrooms.
Beach Access:
In addition to the 12 designated recreation sites, the city also provides forty "stub-end" streets for access to the Atlantic Ocean. Each street has a dune to cross-over, several metered parking spaces, and a litter barrel.
You are invited to use any of these streets to enjoy a picnic on our fine, sandy beach. However, we ask that you do not bring bottles on the beach, and please remember to use litter barrels when you leave.
Special Recreation Events:
Each year in Cocoa Beach we have our share of special recreation events. These events include two surfing festivals (on Easter and Labor Day weekends), the Missileland Invitational Swim Meet, the Paddle Battle Canoe Race, and the Spring into Summer and Fall into Winter 5K runs.
A variety of classes for adults and children are also provided by the recreation department. If you would like more information about any of our facilities, special events or classes, please call our recreation department at (321) 868-3252 or 868-3274. You can also call directly to the tennis club (868-3224), pool (868-3240), golf course (868-3227), golf course restaurant (868-3355), or to the the golf course pro shop (868-3351).
Visitors since July 1, 2003
