Marco Island
Parks & Nature Preserves on Marco Island
Between the beaches, Marco Island keeps a surprising amount of green space — from a bird sanctuary and a butterfly garden to the community’s main event lawn. These are the island’s parks and preserves for a walk, a picnic, or some quiet birdwatching.
The Marco Island Nature Preserve & Bird Sanctuary protects native mangrove and upland habitat. Calusa Park includes a dedicated Butterfly Garden, and Mackle Park is the island’s central community park with fields and event space. Caxambas Park at the south end doubles as a boat-ramp park on the water, while Veterans’ Community Park hosts the island’s farmers market and concerts.
What is the main community park on Marco Island?
Mackle Park is the island’s central community park, with fields, a community center, and event space. Veterans’ Community Park is the other big gathering spot, home to the farmers market and outdoor concerts.
Where can you see birds or butterflies on Marco Island?
The Marco Island Nature Preserve & Bird Sanctuary is the spot for native birds, and Calusa Park has a dedicated Butterfly Garden — both are quiet, walkable stops away from the beach crowds.
10 local spots on this list
Marco Island Nature Preserve and Bird Sanctuary
Nature preserve with walking trails.
Calusa Park
Community park with green spaces.
Calusa Park Butterfly Garden
Community park with green spaces.
Mackle Park
Community park with green spaces.
Caxambas Park
Community park with green spaces.
Veterans' Community Park
Community park with green spaces.
Gene Sarazen Park
Community park with green spaces.
Jane Hittler Park
Named after Jane Hittler (1914-2006), locally known as the "The First Lady
Lehigh Plummer Park
Community park with green spaces.
Resident's Beach Park
Community park with green spaces.
See every spot on the island map
Discover Marco is Marco Island’s illustrated local guide. Find these places — and the rest of the island — on the interactive map.
Open the island map