It’s easy to get caught up and a little overwhelmed by the fast-paced growth going on in Brevard County, so it’s nice to be reminded of why so many people want to move here. Being near the ocean is the obvious draw, but scattered throughout 321 South are plenty of sanctuaries for the mind.
If you’re looking to wind down your day with a casual walk, don’t forget about Gleason Park. Just over the Eau Gallie Causeway, tucked right behind the beachside traffic at South Patrick Drive and Yacht Club Boulevard, this 27-acre sanctuary feels entirely disconnected from the Space Coast’s growing traffic.
While it’s highly popular with local families during the day for its playgrounds and community pool, the park shifts into something entirely different as the sun begins to dip. It becomes one of the finest, most peaceful places in the county for an after-dinner stroll.
The centerpiece of the park is its large, central lake. Skirting the water is a perfectly flat, paved exercise trail that measures just under a mile.
Because Gleason Park has been preserved so well amid decades of surrounding residential development, it functions as a critical urban wildlife refuge. Even late in the evening, the park is alive with activity.
If you keep your eyes on the grassy banks near the tree lines, you’re almost guaranteed to spot the park’s most famous residents: gopher tortoises. Along the water, you will regularly share the boardwalk with resting ducks, ibises, and wading birds.
The Basics
Park Hours: Open daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Parking: Completely free with plenty of spaces located under the oak trees near the main recreation building.
The Walking Trail: A flat, paved asphalt loop measuring approximately 0.85 miles around the central lake, fully illuminated by Victorian-style lights.
Public Pool: Features a heated, competition-sized community swimming pool open seven days a week for open swim, lap swimming, and local lessons (321-773-0552). Non-residents can drop in for a small daily fee.
Community Center: Includes a 2,850-square-foot facility available for community programs, local clubs, and private weekend rentals.
Seasonal Events: Anchors the community calendar with popular traditions, highlighted by the annual Christmas in the Park celebration.
Pet Policy: Welcomes leashed dogs! The park is meticulously maintained, so make sure to clean up after your pet.
A Brief History
Indigenous Roots: Centuries before modern development, the barrier island was home to the Ais people. The site of the park sits right near their historic winter camp, known as Pentoaya.
The Post-War Arrival: Following the Civil War, the influential Gleason family moved to the area during the Reconstruction era.
The Eau Gallie Connection: Family patriarch William Henry Gleason originally founded the historic city of Eau Gallie just across the river.
Founding a New Town: Decades later, his grandson, William Lansing Gleason, served as Eau Gallie’s mayor before co-founding Indian Harbour Beach in 1955.
Preserving the Green Space: The family’s dedication to public space ensured that this prime 27 acres of beachside oak and pine canopy remained a public treasure rather than turning into another private development.
If you just finished up a heavy meal at one of the nearby restaurants, skip the immediate drive home and burn off that dessert with a loop around the lake.
