Circus Playground, Payne Park

Circus Playground is an incredible playground with so much equipment! It's amazing how many fun things they have added to this park! Kids can run from one play structure to the next and never run out of ideas. John Ringling, the circus magnate who settled in Sarasota at the turn of the century would love this circus-themed park!

In addition to the playground, there is a winding jogging path,a huge skate park (fenced in, entered with a fee and a helmet, open certain hours), a modern cafe called Cafe in the Park with a sunny patio looking out on the park, and a pond with ducks. Payne Park has some slopes, which is nice for Florida. The cafe is raised up over the park and the jogging path has inclines.
The playground has a toddler area with bridge, circus animals to climb, clown car to drive, circles that spray mist to run through, and elevated stepping stones, slides and tunnels. It is under a shade canopy.
The main playground has a fortune teller station to look through, blue tires to climb, slide with rollers to make you go faster, climbies of all shapes including a ferris wheel, clown picture to poke your head through, rock-climbing walls, bridges, tunnels, and plenty of high spots to look out from. There are many sections to the big kid playground. One is a monkey bar course with big disks to climb, spinning monkey bars, spinning disks, and stepping stones. There are shade canopies spread out around the playground.
In summer, this park has no breeze and can be too hot.
The downtown office buildings are near this park, and workers come to Cafe in the Park for lunch. The cafe is open and airy with modern furniture and sandwiches made with organic ingredients and great flavor combinations. Kids can even get a pressed nutella sandwich!
To cool off after your play, jump in the water at Lido Beach, a 13 minute drive away.
Another modern playground can be found at Riverwalk in Bradenton. It is better in summer because it has cool breezes and a large splash pad. It also has a skate park under the shade of the bridge, with breezes off the water, which is open all the time with no fence or entry fee.

Directions

Payne Park is located at 2050 Adams Lane, Sarasota FL 34237.
Entry to skate park is $5 a day. Helmet required. The skate park is open certain hours, not all the time. Cafe in the Park, 2010 Adams Lane, Sarasota FL 34237, call (941) 361-3032.

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