Tuscawilla Park Ocala
Downtown Ocala's lakeside park: tennis, basketball, the Ocala Skate Park, a playground, a stage, Lake Tuscawilla, and the Discovery Center
Tuscawilla Park is a free City of Ocala park at 800 NE Sanchez Avenue, just northeast of downtown, open sunrise to sunset. It has a baseball field, basketball and tennis courts (lighted courts stay open until 10 p.m.), the Ocala Skate Park, a playground, exercise equipment, a stage, pavilions, and a 3/5-mile concrete trail around Lake Tuscawilla with a dock for catch-and-release fishing. The Discovery Center children’s science center and the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center are in the park. Phone: (352) 368-5517.
What Is Tuscawilla Park in Ocala?
Tuscawilla Park is the City of Ocala's big park on the northeast edge of downtown Ocala, at 800 NE Sanchez Avenue. It wraps around Lake Tuscawilla and mixes sports courts, a skate park, a playground, and a walking loop with two city buildings: the Discovery Center and the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center. Like all City of Ocala parks, it is free and open from sunrise to sunset.
The city lists a baseball field, a basketball court, a tennis court, exercise equipment, and a playground. Lighted courts and fields stay open until 10 p.m. The Ocala Skate Park (517 NE 9th St), counted among Tuscawilla's amenities, reopened in March 2026 after an expansion that added more than 6,000 square feet of new terrain. Families can spread out at the pavilions, picnic tables, and grills, and the park has a stage for outdoor events. For water play, the city's free Citizens' Circle Splash Pad is a few minutes away downtown.
Lake Tuscawilla sits at the heart of the park. A 3/5-mile concrete walking trail loops the lake, and there is a dock. Fishing is catch and release only, and cast netting, swimming, and wading are not allowed. Ducks, turtles, and wading birds are regulars along the water's edge.
Two city facilities sit inside the park. The Discovery Center (701 NE Sanchez Ave) is Ocala's hands-on children's science center, open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with paid admission and exhibits that rotate during the year. The Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center (830 NE Eighth Ave) offers programs for adults 50 and older on weekdays.
The City of Ocala's Tuscawilla Art Park Series holds events in Tuscawilla Park and in the nearby Tuscawilla Art Park at 213 NE 5th St, next to the historic Union Station, including the OTrak Chalk Walk and the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll. Pavilions can be rented through Ocala Recreation & Parks.
Whether you're bringing kids to the playground and the Discovery Center, skating, hitting the courts after work, or walking laps around Lake Tuscawilla before sunset, Tuscawilla Park packs a lot into a park you can walk to from downtown Ocala.
Courts & Ball Field
Tennis and basketball courts and a baseball field. Lighted courts and fields stay open until 10 p.m.
Skate Park & Playground
The expanded Ocala Skate Park (reopened March 2026) plus a playground and exercise equipment, all free. For water play, Citizens' Circle Splash Pad is a few minutes away downtown.
Lake Tuscawilla & Trail
A 3/5-mile concrete walking trail loops the lake. Catch-and-release fishing from the dock; no swimming or wading.
Discovery Center & Stage
Home to the Discovery Center children's science center, the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center, and a stage used for outdoor events.
Park Information
Hours & Access
Park Hours: Sunrise to sunset daily (lighted courts and fields until 10 p.m.)
Admission: Free
Park problems: Park Ranger line (352) 789-1133
Location
Address:
800 NE Sanchez Avenue
Ocala, FL 34470
Phone:
(352) 368-5517 (Ocala Recreation & Parks)
Amenities (City of Ocala listing)
Tennis Court
Basketball Court
Baseball Field
Skate Park
Playground
Stage
Dock & Catch-and-Release Fishing
3/5-Mile Walking Trail
Exercise Equipment
Pavilions, Picnic Tables & Grills
Restrooms & Water Fountains
Water Feature & Public Art
Discovery Center
Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Tuscawilla Park located?
Tuscawilla Park is at 800 NE Sanchez Avenue, Ocala, FL 34470, just northeast of downtown Ocala. It is a City of Ocala park; for questions, call Ocala Recreation & Parks at (352) 368-5517, or the Park Ranger line at (352) 789-1133 for problems in the park.
What amenities does Tuscawilla Park offer?
The City of Ocala lists a baseball field, basketball court, tennis court, the Ocala Skate Park, a playground, exercise equipment, a lake with a dock and fishing, trails, a stage, pavilions and picnic tables, grills, restrooms, water fountains, a water feature, public art, and a community center. A 3/5-mile concrete walking trail loops Lake Tuscawilla. The Discovery Center children's science center and the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center are also in the park.
What is the Discovery Center at Tuscawilla Park?
The Discovery Center is the City of Ocala's hands-on children's science center at 701 NE Sanchez Avenue in Tuscawilla Park. It is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., charges admission ($8 for adults, free for ages 2 and under), and rotates its exhibits during the year.
Does Tuscawilla Park have a skate park and splash pad?
Tuscawilla Park includes the City of Ocala's Ocala Skate Park at 517 NE 9th St, which reopened in March 2026 after an expansion that brought it to about 16,000 square feet. The park does not have a splash pad. The nearest one is the City of Ocala's free Citizens' Circle Splash Pad at 151 SE Osceola Avenue downtown, open sunrise to sunset from the second Saturday in March until the Monday before the third Saturday in November. Swimming and wading are not allowed in Lake Tuscawilla.
What events are held at Tuscawilla Park?
The City of Ocala's Tuscawilla Art Park Series holds events in Tuscawilla Park and the nearby Tuscawilla Art Park (213 NE 5th St), such as the OTrak Chalk Walk and the Tuscawilla Sculpture Stroll. The park also has a stage and pavilions that can be rented through Ocala Recreation & Parks.
What is Lake Tuscawilla?
Lake Tuscawilla is the lake at the center of Tuscawilla Park. A 3/5-mile concrete walking trail loops the lake, and there is a dock. Fishing is catch and release only, and cast netting, swimming, and wading are not allowed. Ducks, turtles, and wading birds are common along the shore.
When is Tuscawilla Park open?
City of Ocala parks, including Tuscawilla, are open from sunrise to sunset, except lighted courts and fields, which close at 10 p.m. The park is free to visit. The Discovery Center and the Eighth Avenue Adult Activity Center keep their own hours.
Explore Downtown Ocala's Favorite Park
From the lake trail to the Discovery Center, Tuscawilla Park is an easy walk from downtown Ocala.