South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground

South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground is a recreational facility located at the intersection of Osceola Avenue and South Beach Parkway in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. This expansive park offers a variety of amenities for visitors of all ages, making it a popular destination for families and fitness enthusiasts alike.

The park's centerpiece is the Sunshine Playground, a large wooden structure that provides ample play opportunities for children. The playground is divided into areas suitable for different age groups, including a designated space for toddlers with safe and age-appropriate activities. Adjacent to the playground is a seasonal splash pad, which operates during the warmer months and offers a refreshing way for children to cool off.

For sports enthusiasts, South Beach Park features multiple athletic facilities. These include a multi-purpose turf field suitable for various games, a basketball court, and three sand volleyball courts. Tennis and pickleball players can enjoy dedicated courts for their respective sports. The park also boasts a skate park, catering to skateboarding enthusiasts.

Fitness-minded visitors can take advantage of the park's fitness trail, which includes exercise stations along its course. This feature allows for a comprehensive workout experience within the park's grounds.

To accommodate gatherings and picnics, the park provides six picnic shelters and two grills. These areas can be reserved for events, with seven of the eight available cabanas equipped with BBQ grills. The center cabana in the playground area is specifically designated for shade and is not included in the reservation system.

In 2021, the park underwent renovations to enhance its offerings. The redesign included plans to renovate the iconic mermaid archway and retain the existing pavilion and tiles. The new playground design incorporated more shade features and improved accessibility, with many elements, including part of the lifeguard tower structure, being wheelchair accessible.

South Beach Park and Sunshine Playground serves as a true community park, offering a diverse range of activities and amenities that cater to various interests and age groups, making it a valued recreational space in Jacksonville Beach.