Three of the Best Parks in and Around Hollywood, Florida

I recently had an opportunity to return to my old stomping grounds in Hollywood, Florida. Known locally as the “Diamond of the Gold Coast” Hollywood can be justifiably proud of its own little stretch of 7-mile beach, but the city of Hollywood can be proud of something else – its parks! Surf and sand is fine, but sometimes you want to take the family where there are some trees, shade and maybe a lake or two.

In this regard Hollywood, Florida doesn’t disappoint as there are several parks within the city boundaries and another that sits right outside the city limits. Collectively, this triangle of fun in the sun could be just what the doctor ordered next time you and family or friends want to break away for some rest and relaxation.

Hollywood is home to more than 20 nature-parks that are located both inland and along the waterfront. This year, the Broward County Park Service is celebrating 50 years of service to the local community. And with good reason: with an average daily high of 90Ã?°F in the summer and 78Ã?°F in the winter, a day at any of Hollywood’s parks offers a relaxing escape from the home or office.

My local favourite of the best parks in Hollywood, Florida has to be Topeekeegee Yugnee Park (3300 N Park Road, Hollywood, FL 33021, 954-985-1980, web: www.broward.org/parks). This county facility has a lot to offer including the “Castaway Island Water Playground,” complete with seven water slides, two pools, tropical coconuts and palm trees that spray water, picnic areas, concession stand and restrooms. Also featured is a 20,000 square foot artificial beach called “Swimming Lagoon Beach”. Elsewhere in Topeekeegee Yugnee Park is “Safety Town”, a miniature “village” designed to teach pedestrian and bicycle safety to kids. The park also offers some old standards: paddleboats and rowboats to rent, bat/ball/glove rentals for baseball fans, two hard-court tennis courts, two basketball courts, a biking/jogging path, volleyball areas and concessions. If you can squeeze in even a fraction of all that Topeekeegee Yugnee Park has to offer you’ll really have accomplished something.

But wait, there’s more! For family or group gatherings, the park offers a lakeside gazebo, along with several large and small picnic shelters with water, electricity, grills and tables. Other picnic tables and grills throughout the park are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The park’s campground includes 60 rental RV and tent sites, 48 with water and electricity, hot showers/restrooms, laundry facilities and a playground, and takes pets for a fee.

Like a lot of things, TY Park seemed a lot bigger when I was a lot younger. It was a great place to go for an early morning run and I’m happy to say it still is. I recommend going during the week, not only because there is no admission fee, but also because there are less people.

To get to TY park, head east on Sheridan Street after exiting I-95. You’ll see the park’s grand lake on your right and shortly after you’ll get to the intersection of Sheridan and N. Park Road. Take a right and you’ll see the entry point on your right.

Next on the list is the West Lake Park / Anne Kolb Nature Center (751 Sheridan Street, Hollywood, FL 33019, tel: 954.926.2480, Hours: Daily 8am-6pm (last Sunday in October to last in April); Daily 8am-7:30pm (last Sunday in April to last in October, Cost: $2/person (under 5 years free) on weekends,Web: http://www.co.broward.fl.us/parks).
Named for a Broward County environmentalist and opened in 1996, West Lake Park is one of the newest parks in Hollywood. It sits on a site that used to have a cheesy amusement park known as “Pirates World”. Unfortunately for thrill seekers, Long John Silver and company went the way of the dinosaur and city commissioners recognized that the underlying area was an eco-lovers dream. An exhibit hall with a split-level aquarium, walking trails, a bike trail and an observation tower help introduce visitors to this 1500-acre mangrove.

If you take a walk along what is known as the Mud Flat Trail or Observation Trail you can get a good view of the local flora and fauna to include fiddler and mangrove crabs and snapping shrimp! You can easily spot White ibis, great blue heron, roseate spoonbills, ospreys and other birds that hunt the shallow waters of West Lake. Mullet, snook and mangrove snapper are common in the lake. Visitors can rent canoes and kayaks and follow well-marked canoe trails or opt for a 40-minute narrated boat tour that runs $8 for adults, and $4 for children (five to 11 years – under five are free). Canoe or kayak rentals run $7 per hour, $17 for 4 hours, or $25 for the day and are essential for anyone wanting to explore the 350 acres of West Lake and its mangrove wetlands. If fishing is more your style that’s fine, but you need to fish from the shore.

Picnic tables and grills are available throughout the park on a first-come first-served basis. Pavilions may be rented for parties for $60 on the weekend or $30 during the week at West Lake, or $85 weekends and $40 weekdays at Hollywood North Beach (both locations are within the park).

To get to West Lake head east on Sheridan Street past Federal Highway. West Lake Park’s entrance will be on the south (right) side; the Anne Kolb Nature Center is a half-mile east of West Lake’s entrance on the north (left) side.

Last on my list is an honourable mention. John U. Lloyd State Park (6503 N. Ocean Drive, Dania, 1.5 miles north of Sheridan Street off A1A; 954-923-2833. Main office 954-924-3859) is not technically in Hollywood. But it so close it might as well be. This 251-acre barrier island is located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intracoastal Waterway, from Port Everglades on the north to Dania on the south. Amenities include a full-service restaurant serving beer and wine, the Loggerhead Cafe, and manatee viewing. The beach also is one of Broward County’s most important sea-turtle nesting areas.

Among the laundry-list of things to do is a Beach, boat ramp, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, nature trails, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkelling and wildlife viewing. Check out the manatee sanctuary that flows through the park. Snorkelers and scuba divers can follow submerged markers to reefs in one of the area’s easier shore dives. For nature lovers there’s a 45-minute nature trail, shaded picnic areas along the 2.5-mile beach and fishing from the jetty at the south end of the park.

As I was saying – Hollywood’s beach is stunning and alone worth the price of admission to this great city. But sometimes you just don’t want sand kicked n your face and that’s why Hollywood’s parks are such a treat! Enjoy!