Urfer Park Sarasota: Family Fun, Trails & History
Table of Contents
t’s hard to believe Urfer Park Sarasota opened back in 2009. My wife and I still remember standing under the blue November sky at the park’s Opening Day Celebration — hot dogs in hand, kids sprinting between swings and slides, laughter echoing through the crisp air. Our two young ones were ecstatic; they’d been watching for weeks as workers finished the playground. When the ribbon finally fell, they dashed into the heart of it all — testing every piece of equipment, scaling the massive climbing boulder, and somehow finding more energy with every lap around the playground.
It wasn’t just kids that day. Families, couples, retirees, and even the Wilson family — the very same from whom Sarasota County purchased the 55 acres — gathered to celebrate. One of the Wilsons even brought a trailer full of cows, giving kids a chance to pet them, a sweet nod to the land’s agricultural past.
That memory set the tone for what Urfer Park would become: a place where Sarasota families grow up together, one sunny afternoon at a time.
Did You Know?
When Urfer Family Park officially opened on November 14, 2009, the celebration drew hundreds of Sarasota residents — complete with hot dogs, cotton candy, live music, and even a petting area of cows brought by the Wilson family, who sold the land to the county. The 55-acre park was named in honor of Alfred and Kathryn Urfer, longtime Sarasota educators and community volunteers.
A Playground Built for Every Age
At first glance, Urfer Family Park looks like a typical Sarasota playground — until you see just how thoughtfully designed it is. Separate play structures for younger and older kids make it easy for parents to relax while little ones explore safely and big kids test their limits.
There’s something for every kind of play:
•Toddler-friendly slides and sensory stations under shaded canopies
•Big-kid adventures on a sprawling climbing structure and rope tower
•Classic swings, including parent-child tandem swings that get everyone laughing
And, of course, the giant climbing boulder, a rite of passage for any child growing up in Sarasota
The playground area is surrounded by wide, paved sidewalks perfect for stroller walks or scooter rides. On most days, you’ll find birthday parties in full swing under the covered picnic pavilions — balloons tied to tables, barbecue grills sizzling, and kids darting between playgrounds and the open fields.
It’s family life at its simplest and best — safe, spacious, and filled with the sound of laughter.
Did You Know?
The massive climbing boulder at Urfer Park wasn’t just installed for fun — it’s designed to encourage balance, coordination, and confidence-building in kids, while giving parents a mini heart attack watching from below! The playground’s surface is made from shock-absorbing recycled rubber, keeping playtime both fun and safe.
Perfect for Parties, Picnics, and Playdates
For parents, Urfer Park is the go-to gathering spot for weekend birthday parties and family picnics. The park offers:
•Covered picnic shelters with tables and electric outlets
•Charcoal BBQ grills ready for burgers, kabobs, and birthday hot dogs
•Clean restrooms (a must for any park day!)
•Drinking fountains and plenty of shade trees
•Acres of green space for soccer games, frisbee, or tag
The park feels large but not overwhelming — enough room for kids to roam while still keeping them within view. Families often bring along grandparents, leashed dogs, and even lawn chairs for a full day under the sun.
As one mom put it to me during a visit, “Urfer’s just easy. You can spend the whole afternoon here and never run out of things to do.”
Did You Know?
Urfer Park’s picnic shelters can actually be reserved online through Sarasota County Parks, making it one of the most in-demand birthday party spots in east Sarasota. Locals joke that if you want a weekend pavilion in spring, you’d better book months in advance!
Trails That Invite Exploration at Urfer Park Sarasota
Beyond the playground lies what many locals love most: Urfer Park’s peaceful trail system.
A winding loop of paved sidewalks weaves through the park, perfect for:
•Leisurely stroller walks or family bike rides
•Morning jogs before work
•Evening walks with leashed dogs
As you wander deeper into the property, the trails turn from concrete to pine-needle-covered dirt paths, shaded by pines and oaks. Along the way, you’ll spot educational signs about the wildlife that calls Urfer home — from gopher tortoises and pileated woodpeckers to the occasional hawk circling above.
It’s a great reminder that even in the middle of suburban Sarasota, nature thrives just steps away.
Did You Know?
Those quiet dirt trails lined with pine needles aren’t just for ambiance — they trace portions of the land that once served as pasture for the Wilson family’s cattle farm. Many of the native pines and oaks you see today were preserved during park development to maintain its Old Florida feel.
Urfer Park Sarasota Offers Fitness for All Ages
If you feel like going beyond a stroll, Urfer Park offers something extra: an outdoor fitness course.
Set up along one of the trails, the stations challenge walkers to stretch, balance, and strengthen different muscle groups — an ideal mid-walk workout or a reason to turn your casual walk into something a bit more intentional.
It’s not unusual to see Sarasota locals of all ages — from teens to retirees — stopping to do a few sit-ups or pull-ups before resuming their walk.
Did You Know?
Urfer’s fitness course was modeled after U.S. Army-style training circuits, with each station targeting balance, endurance, or flexibility. The course’s popularity among seniors actually inspired Sarasota County to include similar features in later park designs across the area.
A Walk Through Sarasota’s Past
Tucked near the front of the park stands a piece of Sarasota history: the C.B. Wilson House.
Once home and office to Dr. C.B. Wilson — one of Sarasota’s earliest physicians — the modest wooden structure offers a glimpse into what life looked like here decades ago. Long before Bee Ridge Road became a busy corridor of shops and traffic lights, this was wide-open country.
Sarasota County lovingly restored the Wilson House and now uses it for community meetings and educational programs. It stands as a small but powerful reminder of Sarasota’s roots — a living bridge between the county’s rural past and the thriving community that surrounds Urfer Park today.
Did You Know?
The C.B. Wilson House, now preserved at Urfer Park, dates back to 1913 and once sat near downtown Sarasota. It was relocated and restored to honor Dr. Wilson’s contributions as one of Sarasota’s earliest physicians and civic leaders — a rare surviving example of Sarasota’s early 20th-century architecture.
Where Sarasota’s Story Comes Alive Outdoors
Urfer Family Park might not make the travel magazines, but for those of us who live here, it’s one of Sarasota’s most beloved spaces — a place where generations have grown up laughing, picnicking, and chasing the sunset across the open grass. It’s where first birthdays, first bike rides, and countless Saturday afternoons have unfolded under the pines. Spend an afternoon here, and you’ll understand why locals say the best of Sarasota doesn’t always come with a price tag — sometimes, it’s simply a park bench and a breeze.
If Urfer Park speaks to your love of open space, family time, and Sarasota’s quieter side, you’ll also enjoy exploring these nearby favorites:
👉 Celery Fields Sarasota | Where Sky Meets Stillness — a sprawling birding paradise where sunrise paints the wetlands gold and Mount Celery offers sweeping views of Sarasota’s skyline.
👉 Oscar Scherer State Park | Discover Old Florida — a slice of classic Florida wilderness with shady trails, a cool spring-fed lake, and the rare chance to spot a scrub jay up close.
👉 Nathan Benderson Park | Sarasota’s World-Class Rowing Venue — a vibrant hub for rowing, running, festivals, and fireworks tucked alongside UTC’s bustling shops and restaurants.
Each park tells its own chapter of Sarasota’s outdoor story — from quiet nature escapes to community celebrations — all inviting you to slow down, step outside, and rediscover the good life that blooms year-round under Florida’s sunshine.
👉 Learn more from the source: Sarasota County Parks & Recreation – Urfer Family Park
Love This Post? Share It!
Hi, I’m Mike – real estate agent, photographer, and blogger. Come along as I dive into all things Sarasota, Florida, share insider tips and exciting stories that make this place special. For 20+ years, I’ve helped countless people buy and sell property. Before I transitioned to full-time real estate, I taught high school English & coached basketball.”
