Manatee Island Park

It used to be nice as Brian S. indicated in 2013 but it has fallen into disrepair. The reports of homeless people milling around is true but that is all of the parks in downtown Daytona. The numbers vary by time of day and weather. My wife’s dog is to small to offer any protection so I bring my own when I have visited. Several of the shops in the area are also dog friendly. Overall if you want an island to walk your dog around this is still a nice place to consider.

Fairly well kept park with run areas for large and small dogs. Water basin for dogs in each run. Bathroom area, while old, was stocked with soap, paper towels and toilet paper and clean for what it was. So glad that haven’t ruined this area of the riverside with some ugly tall building like the News Journal Center, I do appreciate that!

I also am new to Daytona and looking for places to take my dog (my only friend here). I didn’t get the memo about the homeless people before I went. I got there about an hour before sun set hoping to get some nice pictures of the sun going down from the island but I should of went earlier… or not at all. When I got there I parked on the street and there were a few homeless men hanging out on the porch of that house? Or whatever it is… I didn’t think too much of it and continued over the bridge. There was not a single soul on the Island but me and my dog. I felt like I was going to get mugged at any moment and no one would be around to help cause I would basically be stranded on this deserted island (yes a little dramatic). I went out on the little dock which was a beautiful view of the river. And finished a lap around the island passing some more homeless people lounging near the little amphitheater, I guess I wasn’t alone after all. Also pretty sure I witnessed a drug deal. It started getting way to sketchy and we started heading for the bridge quickly. But on the way out an older guy was begging me (actually begging) me to come hang out with him and his dog in the fenced in dog area. Which if there were people around and I felt safe I would have been all for letting my dog make friends but I was honestly scared and regretting leaving home without pepper spray and a rape whistle. Don’t go here. Especially if you are alone and your dog thinks everyone is worthy of kisses. This would be a beautiful little park if they took out the trash.

Dog park for the homeless. What a scary trip to the dog park this was! My wife and I just moved to Port Orange two weeks ago and we have been trying out all the area dog parks for our dog Riley.
I found this place online and it seemed to be pretty cool from just reading about the park so we all jumped in the car and found the park. You park on the side of the road and it loo
It looks neat from the road, there is this long flat bridge you walk across to get to the park. Well about 25 feet from the entrance to the bridge we were welcomed by the local homeless crew sitting on a park bench. They were decent people, nothing was said off color but it was very uncomfortable for us. One lady was passed out in the grass and four others were just sitting on the bench.
I was determined to check out this dog park so we kept on and over the bridge we went. The water was pretty low and it stunk like nasty water but we made it across. They we see this nice looking grassy fenced in area and my dog was pretty excited. We walked past two other homeless people and walked into the dog area. The grass was pretty high and of course there were no other dogs there. We did see a guy about 50 feet off in the distance pulling up his pants.
My dog did his rounds and left his mark of course and we got out of there quickly as it seemed like the day of the dead as the homeless and scary people were just headed our way it seemed. We walked out the gate and avoided the lady in the wheel chair looking for a bite and across the bridge we went and just kept on moving fast! I gave a wave and a friendly good bye to everyone but we did not look back. Got in the car and drove off in a flash and WILL NEVER RETURN!
That could be a really great dog park but its scary as all with all the homeless hanging around. We were actually pretty scared but we did go through with it. Its like going into a haunted house just to say you did it and will never go again.
DO NOT GO TO THIS PARK. Well go to this park if your homeless and like scaring normal people away but if you are new town as we are; STAY AWAY FROM THIS PARK!

Was excited to take family here but as soon as we rounded corner about 30 homeless people lounging on tables by playground, wish someone would have let me know and on rough side of Daytona

A park
on
an
island
The Manatee Island Park is indeed on an island. No cars are allowed out here, you have to park on the mainland and walk across the boardwalk to get here.
The island is a wildlife sanctuary and is suppose to be a great place to see manatees. We didn’t see any but that didn’t really make a difference, it still is a wonderful place.
For some reason we didn’t see anyone else out here which is surprising since it is such a cool place. Since it really is an island there were great views of the Intra Coastal Waterway and bridges and hotels of Daytona.
The island has a stage and amphitheater where plays are held during the warm months and five picnic pavilions and lots of table and benches.
Also a little playground and clean public bathrooms. It’s not large enough for any real hiking but it is a fantastic place for a picnic or gentle little stroll right by the water. There is no admission fee and parking can usually be found on the streets near the island.
A very cool island and park where you can picnic, take a little walk, see a play and maybe if you are lucky get to see some manatees.