Sand Key Park

Sand Key Park is a 95 acre park located on Sand Key in Clearwater, Florida. Sand Key is a barrier isle sandwiched between the mainland and the Gulf of Mexico. The park was opened in 1984 and averages around one million visitors a year.

The park has two separate sections (the beach and the park/playground) and has many things to offer its guests. There are two pavilions with grills, water fountains, and tables available for use. There is even a section just for dogs, which are welcome in their park but nowhere else, especially on the beach.

The beach offers cabana rentals, nine exterior showers, two bath houses with separate changing rooms, and beach wheelchairs. Lifeguards are present on a daily basis from 9 am to 5 pm March through September to watch out over swimmers in the Gulf.

Sandy Key Park is also a wildlife refuge. The salt marsh has benches scattered throughout for people to watch the various wildlife within it. These include herons, horned owls, and common moorhens just to name a few. Part of the beach even houses turtle nests during the appropriate time of year. Harassing, hunting, or feeding wildlife is strictly prohibited as are firearms and any kind of intoxicant. It is also illegal to remove, destroy, or damage any plants.