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Prentiss French Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 86 Google reviews · Running trail in Venice, Florida · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Prentiss French Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Shady playground featuring swings and slides.
What runners say about Prentiss French Park
“It's fairly shady and there are several benches so for parents who want a rest while their little one plays, it's a comfortable and fun atmosphere.”
Prentiss is one of our favorite parks because it has a nice walking/biking trail, plenty of room to run or throw the ball, benches to sit and enjoy a picnic and plenty of different playground equipment for all ages.
I have been going to the Prentiss French park for about 2 years now with my son. It has a huge area for playing, several playground structures and it also offers a walking trail that circles the park.
Shade! Great place for a picnic lunch. Stop by Island Organics and get a couple of smoothies before you go. Or make a day of it and have lunch in town just a short stroll from this great little park. Plenty of room for kids to run and not be under your feet (but you can see them).
Prentiss French is named after a landscape designer hired by John Nolan who was the master planner for the city of Venice. Prentiss French Park has a walking Loop and a kids playground and some picnic tables and a barbecue stand very nice pocket park on the island of Venice
Trail conditions & character
“It's fairly shady and there are several benches so for parents who want a rest while their little one plays, it's a comfortable and fun atmosphere.”
“Cute little out of the way park with a playground, paved walkway and parking.”
“We are there weekly going down the slides, chasing the squirrels, petting dogs, and running around the vast field and walking paths”
“Nice park for kids but also for anyone who wants to walk in the shade along the paved path that encircles the park.”
“Plenty to do, but missing amenities like bathrooms, water fountain, etc.”
“Plenty to do, but missing amenities like bathrooms, water fountain, etc.”
Plan your run at Prentiss French Park
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websitevenicegov.com
- Phone(941) 486-2626
Hours
| Monday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Tuesday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Thursday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Friday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Saturday | 7 AM–9 PM |
| Sunday | 7 AM–9 PM |
Running trails near Venice
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
John Nolen Park
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Legacy Park
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Legacy Trail
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Maxine Barritt Park
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Pinebrook Park
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