Ken Thompson Park
Ken Thompson Park
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
41 reviews
Excellent
24
Very good
13
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
1
podrozniczka60
New Jersey16,871 contributions
Mar 2020 • Family
The park is near the Mote Aquarium. The parking is free . There is a nice playground for kids, benches to relax and a nature preserve with a boardwalk trail. The park’s main accent is the monument of Ken Thompson near the river, the beloved city manager for three decades.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jonathan G
Durham, NC92 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
A quick Google search reveals that I am far from the only devotee of this park. It is shaded, has a playground and lots of trees and picnic tables, and it has one of the best views of the city of Sarasota across the Bay. I love to come and picnic here. (You can get a great hot dog first at the bait and tackle store just before Old Salty Dog, on the left as you enter Ken Thompson Parkway. I think the location is also called City Island Park. No mater; it's at the very end of the road, on the Bay. Bring your chess or backgammon set.
Written 12 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julio M
Coral Springs, FL109 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
this park is impressively taken care of. You will not believe the view and the cleanness. We visit this park every time we visit the town and plan a BBQ day on it. Be aware of mosquitos, thought.
Written 14 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
booksopenminds
Skippack, PA98 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
This park is surrounded by water- beautiful!! There are two play areas (one is more suited to young children and the other for older) and a restroom. There is a walking trail and many shaded picnic tables right on the water. The Mote Aquarium is right there and Salty Dog Cafe. Good place for Pokemon Go hunting too- many Pokestops and lots of spawning areas not attached to the Pokestops.
Written 23 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PhilS_42
Bradenton, FL90 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
Like the other reviews say, the view here is great. You see the entire bay. I come here frequently to paddleboard and kayak. The garbage cans are occasionally overflowing with trash if there has been a large gathering at one of the picnic pavilions, otherwise this is a relatively clean park. The playgrounds are nice places for elementary and younger children to blow off steam after a visit to Mote Marine or St. Armand's Circle. There are plenty of shorelines and a great boardwalk through the mangroves to explore.
Do not bring children here after 4 pm. There is increasing confrontation between people who care for the feral cats and people walking dogs. This is no longer an occasional occurrence. The confrontational parties have started carrying things like large walking staffs to threaten their adversaries. If you are with an adult group, you can probably just walk away. But the confrontations are too loud and obvious to avoid with children and frequently take place near the playgrounds because that is where the cats are fed. For that matter, if you are not comfortable with your children playing in an area used by several feral cats, you should avoid the park entirely, because children will definitely be drawn to the playground.
Since groups of adult visitors are likely to avoid the playground/restroom area as well, they probably will not observe the confrontations. Therefore, for adult groups this park is a "3" or "4." I, however, will not bring my children to the park at the end of the day.
Do not bring children here after 4 pm. There is increasing confrontation between people who care for the feral cats and people walking dogs. This is no longer an occasional occurrence. The confrontational parties have started carrying things like large walking staffs to threaten their adversaries. If you are with an adult group, you can probably just walk away. But the confrontations are too loud and obvious to avoid with children and frequently take place near the playgrounds because that is where the cats are fed. For that matter, if you are not comfortable with your children playing in an area used by several feral cats, you should avoid the park entirely, because children will definitely be drawn to the playground.
Since groups of adult visitors are likely to avoid the playground/restroom area as well, they probably will not observe the confrontations. Therefore, for adult groups this park is a "3" or "4." I, however, will not bring my children to the park at the end of the day.
Written 1 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
psudino
Weehawken, NJ4,435 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
If you not only want to see Sarasota's fireworks, but also the 6 or 7 other town's fireworks, then there is no better spot than Ken Thompson Park. There was plenty of parking, lots of space to set up and unhindered views of all the fireworks north, east and south.
Written 21 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marybeth646
Grosse Pointe Farms12 contributions
Mar 2022
Easy walk through the mangroves to a beach where we watched kite boarders and parasails. Close to Mote and The Salty Dog. What could be better!
Written 16 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
boxshop
Norfolk, VA6,292 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
We had a wonderful visit to this park. This is a well equipped area with picnic tables and grills. Beautiful views and beaches. Plenty of parking.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rod K
Nokomis, FL535 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
City Island was built up from dredging spoils when Big Pass was initially dredged, but forms a great peninsuila for boating, Mote Marine, Sarasota Sailing Squadron, and relaxing with a grand view of Sarasota Bay and the city of Sarasota. Parking is adequate and modern restrooms are conveniently placed. The Austrailian pines provide shade and canoes and kayaks may be launched from the park, but surrounding waters are very shallow in spots.
Written 12 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happy-Traveler-Two
Newburyport, MA150 contributions
Feb 2019 • Couples
My husband and I just enjoyed a lovely walk to this park. It was during the week and mid morning and we had it all to ourselves! The view of Sarasota Bay was beautiful and we got to enjoy it from a lovely swinging shaded bench. Since they have grills, picnic tables and a playground, it would be a lovely day for a family. You pass the Aquirium to get to the park along with a few cool looking places on the water to get a bite and a drink if you prefer that over a picnic. Just an overall beautiful place.
Written 27 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a freshwater source to hook a hose up and flush waverunner out?
Written 29 March 2018
Can we dock a boat here? What's the charge?
Written 25 March 2017
Sorry, can't help. Suggest contact with Longboat Key town council or Chamber of Commerce who might be able to point you to someone who will know.
Ken H
Written 26 March 2017
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