6 Walkable Perks of Living in Downtown Sarasota’s Laurel Park

Historic Laurel Park is a neighborhood with a real sense of place, located at the southern end of downtown Sarasota, Florida. Home to a diverse mix of residents — young professionals, lawyers, realtors, artists, musicians, construction workers, families, singles, retirees, Laurel Park is a friendly neighborhood where people wave to each other, speak to one another, meet on the sidewalks, walk their dogs, play in the park and watch out for one another.

Laurel Park embodies the new urbanist ideal of a walkable community. Here are six walkable perks enjoyed by residents of this National Historic District in Downtown Sarasota.

Bayfront Park

Bayfront Park is a favorite Downtown Sarasota destination. It covers 3.54 waterfront acres on the west side of Downtown with a central lawn, promenade, playground, tiki bar, and dramatic views of the bay and city. Open daily from 7 to 11, it is a popular spot to jog, stroll, enjoy the sunset, walk your leashed pet or have a picnic.

Payne Park

Payne Park is a 29-acre public park used for recreational events. The park is home to the Payne Park Tennis Center with 12 Har-Tru tennis courts, Skate Park, Playground, Cafe in the Park, Auditorium, and Amphitheater. Grassy areas are surrounded by winding paths enjoyed by walkers and joggers of all ages.

Selby Botanical Gardens

Nestled on the shores of Sarasota Bay, Selby Gardens is a tropical urban oasis where nature’s beauty and the scenery of unparalleled botanical bliss will carry you away. This is the only botanical garden in the world dedicated to the display and study of epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads and ferns, and other tropical plants. There is a significant focus on botany, horticulture, education, historical preservation, and the environment.

Burns Court Theaters

One of two local theaters run by the Sarasota Film Society, Burns Court Theater brings independent, art, and blockbuster films to the film community of Sarasota, Florida. For over 20 years, the Sarasota Film Society continues to bring international, independent and artistic films to the local community through The Cine-World Film Festival once a year.

Farmers’ Market

The Sarasota Farmers Market was established in 1979. serving the community with local produce, plants, prepared foods and artisans. The market is open every Saturday from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, rain or shine. The weekly Sarasota Farmers Market provides a social opportunity for residents and visitors to gather and interact, brings foot traffic to downtown Sarasota sustaining the economic viability of the entire downtown area, and provides a venue for other not-for-profit organizations benefiting Sarasota.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Downtown Sarasota abounds with top-rated local eateries. Here are three that will satisfy you morning, noon and night. For breakfast, the Fresh Start Cafe serves simple, fresh dishes with an occasional Mediterranean flare. It offers healthy options, guilty pleasures, home-made breakfast cakes, muffins and pastries. For lunch, try The Fountain Kitchen & Wine Bar is known for having the Best Pizza in Sarasota, as well as big salads, soups, hot-pressed sandwiches and power bowls. For dinner, everything starts with fresh seafood at Owens Fish Camp, with accompanying Southern Classics with a great Craft Beer and Wine selection. An ode to old Florida living, the casual atmosphere allows guests to relax and enjoy what makes Sarasota so special.