Nathan Benderson Park, park and rowing venue in Florida
Nathan Benderson Park is a 550-acre property with a 400-acre lake at its center, designed for rowing and paddling activities on flat water. A 3.5-mile paved loop trail circles the lake through wooded and open areas, and the grounds include playgrounds, picnic pavilions, and designated wildlife habitat zones.
The park was developed in the early 2000s as a sports and recreation facility centered on rowing and water activities, and hosted the World Rowing Championships in 2017. This major event brought international attention to the location and solidified its role in competitive water sports.
The park serves as a gathering place for people who practice water sports and enjoy outdoor activities, drawing local rowing clubs and community members throughout the year. It functions as a social hub where residents and visitors connect through shared activities on the water and along the trails.
The park is open year-round and tends to be quietest during early morning and late afternoon hours when sunrise and sunset occur. Wear sturdy shoes for the trails and bring water to drink, as shaded areas are limited throughout the grounds.
The lake hosted the World Rowing Championships, which brought world-class infrastructure to the site that still supports competitive events at local and regional levels. This major sporting event put the venue on the radar of rowing athletes from around the globe.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.