Explore Rotary Park in Cape Coral

With nearly 100 acres to explore, there’s plenty to enjoy within the natural boundaries of Cape Coral’s Rotary Park. From walking paths to wildlife viewing, the park holds a special place for residents and visitors to the area. Mostly salt marshland, the park was a joint project of the City of Cape Coral, the Department of Environmental Protection and a trio of local Rotary Clubs, all coming together to preserve 97 acres of land for not only visitors, but also wildlife and plant life. It’s also the site of a popular dog park and an environmental center, commonly used to host everything from exercise to gardening classes, plus plant sales and summer camps. The center also features aquarium tanks filled with turtles, crayfish, catfish and other species, along with shell and bird displays. In addition, one of the big highlights of Rotary Park is the annual Burrowing Owl Festival, held each February. For fantastic views of the city and the Caloosahatchee River, take a sandy trail through the marsh to an observation tower or stroll along the Glover Bight Boardwalk. In particular, this area is great for viewing wading birds during low tide. To the delight of visitors of all ages, the Tom Allen Memorial Butterfly House provides the opportunity to view butterflies and plant life up close, plus offers up tips on bringing butterflies to your own yard once you return home. Free tours are available on certain days of the week, plus kids enjoy a bi-annual Fairy Tea Party, designed especially for them. During the rest of the year there’s a playground for the younger crowd to experience and explore. Whether you appreciate bird watching, take a peaceful stroll through the preserve, learning more about nature or simply joining in on a class to learn something new, there’s plenty to enjoy about the true treasure of Cape Coral’s Rotary Park. Rotary Park is located in Southwest Cape Coral near the Rose Garden and Tarpon Point neighborhoods.