Bayshore Live Oak Park — Attraction in Florida

UPDATE 8/31/23 Please be advised that you should check with Charlotte County Parks and Rec before plannning any event here for the foreseeable future. Hurricane Idalia has caused some pretty significant damage to some parts of the park. The area was also flooded. The Parks Dept is awesome with this stuff, but best to check ahead. Almost the entire neighborhood was under water. Many people in that neighborhood also suffered flood damage. With the opening of the SunSeeker upon us we should all look forward to a quick rebuild. I saw firsthand Park's clean-up efforsts after Hurricane Ian. Unfortunately the damage done recently was done by water, not wind. Just take caution should you choose to visit. Guard your pet's feet as there are nails, glass, and other sharp objects including fishing hooks. I suspect the fishing piers will need to be inspected for safety. It's possible the plumbing may have been affected. I would strongly advise steering clear of the park. Too many hazards for the public.

Since moving close by I visit this park multiple times a day. I absolutely love it. There are multiple areas for picnics, fishing, walking your dogs. It's rarely crowded and you can often experience some solitude. It is kept spectacularly clean. You may find the odd piece of trash, but there are some nasty people in this world that just plain refuse to pick up after themselves. The park itself is beautiful. Old growth trees dripping with Spanish moss provide shade over stretches of grass. There are public restrooms and a playground for children. They have 2 fishing piers, but presently only one is open. The park contains a pavilion that can be reserved for functions like family reunions. There are horseshoe pits and multiple benches to sit and just enjoy the surroundings. It's always a surprise to walk near the water. You never know what kind of sea life you are going to witness. Just the other day I saw sea turtles, stingrays, and a few dug in horseshoe crabs. Keep a lookout over the harbor and you are bound to see a multitude of fish breach the water. Several families of waterfowl also call this home. If you want to get to know the fauna and flora better there is a class you can attend that guides you and explains what everything is and its place in the ecosystem. One word of caution. Storms rolls in quickly here. Be prepared to take shelter. They can be intense, but watching the lightning strike over Punta Gorda is amazing. There are several points in the park where you can view the bridge heading across the water and into Punta Gorda. The Sunseeker construction is noticeable, but surprisingly it hasn't impacted much of the park. I almost dread the completion of the resort. I'm a local and I know that much of the serenity that I can experience here is going to be lost. Nothing against tourists, they drive our economy, but there are things that I wish we didn't have to share with the world. This park is one of those things. I literally spend hours here every single day. My dog loves it and even though there is Edgewater dog park, we prefer here. Its closer and if you take the time to look you can find an abundant amount of beauty here. Best times to go are in the early morning and later evenings. Sun up and sundown. The sky puts on a spectacular show. It gets pretty hot during the day, but there is a lot of shade created by the trees, but the heat and humidity can be stifling. There are multiple sources of water for human and animal. Just do me a solid. If you go here. Please pick up after yourself. No one wants to walk over your McDonald's wrappers. If you bring your dog there are multiple stations that provide pet waste disposal bags for free. Just grab them from the dispenser. I have never seen them empty as they are...

Update 2/18: This park WAS amazing. However on our last visit it was FULL of homeless. Most of the benches or tables where filled with trash or belonging. Jugs of water where literally everywhere. I can only assume this was to claim spots. While our family was picknicking a couple sat at a very nearby table and very openly displayed and used drugs in plain view of us and other family's. The neighborhood that surrounds the park is at best sketchy and I always wondered why this park was as well kept as it was. Well no more, they found it. If the park is busy you'll probably be ok but I would double check doors and windows in your car and I wouldn't be alone after dark here .

Original post: Very well taken care of park. The bathrooms are immaculate. All equipment in the playground is clean and solid built. Beautiful views out...

This is a great Park. The facilities here are modern rustic and are well maintained. The park is kept very clean and it is not too heavily traveled. This is a great place to come with your family. Bring your children bring a picnic lunch relax and enjoy the whole day. There's a beautiful Fishing Pier a very nice playground with a soft padded rubber floor matting and lots of shade and Open Spaces to relax in. It's close to downtown Punta Gorda just on the other side of the bridge in Port Charlotte and an easy Drive. There are restaurants and fast food chains within walking distance including Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonald's. It is quiet, quaint, clean...