Live oaks with swaying streamers of Spanish moss, lines of ducklings, and nosy purple gallinules await on this very special waterfront walk.
Tucked into the curve of a cove off Lake Harris, Venetian Gardens nevertheless is always naturally air-conditioned by its breezes.
One of the lakefront bridgesOur loop connects the main parking area facing the lake at Venetian Center with Ski Beach Park and Rogers Park in an always-waterfront walk.
The portion that arcs along the lakeshore offers opportunities for round-trips onto the central islands, but water is always within view.
The Venetian CenterResources
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Overview
Location: Leesburg
Length: 1.1 miles
Trailhead: 28.805297, -81.875207
Address: 201 E Dixie Ave, Leesburg
Fees: Free
Restroom: At the trailhead
Land Manager: City of Leesburg
Phone: 352-728-9885
Open sunrise to 11 PM. No smoking. Do not pick plants. Leashed dogs welcome; pick up after your pet.
Directions
From the intersection of US 27 and SR 44 in Leesburg, drive east 0.8 mile to the park entrance on the right. Turn in and follow the entrance road to the last place to make a right. Continue past the Ski Beach Bar & Grill to park between it and the Venetian Center at the edge of the park. If this parking lot is full due to an event, alternate trailheads are at Rogers Park and Ski Beach Park off Venetian Park Dr and Lakeshore Dr, respectively.
Hike
Along an expanse of lawn behind Venetian Center, follow the broad concrete path to the floating docks on the lake.
They float serenely atop the gently undulating waters of this northwesterly cove of Lake Harris, the larger lake at the horizon line.
Floating docksTurn right to begin the waterfront walk, bearing left towards a bridge where the path splits.
The sign at the dock explains how to identify purple gallinules, which are commonplace in this park.
They hang out near the bridges and sometimes rush right up to you since people have fed them.
Purple gallinuleNote the islands in the channel on the right. Fringed by marsh vegetation like spatterdock and duck potato, they date to 1925.
A sawgrass marsh historically filled this cove. Dredging to create a harbor and boat channel left spoil piles behind a rim dike.
In 1936, men employed by the Depression-era Works Progress Administration planted the first ornamentals on the islands.
Mature trees top landscaped islandsWhile the gardens have had a manicured look from their inception, native species now outnumber plantings.
Reach the first island under the shade of a fluffy lakefront pond cypress.
If you’re not in need of staying on the accessible loop, the first bridge to an inner island is across a grand lawn on the right.
First bridgeEach foray off the main loop on a bridge to the next island is a round-trip adding at least a tenth of a mile.
The inner islands do not interconnect, and only the one in front of the Venetian Center has a defined path.
Bridges between islandsAll of the islands have benches in the shade for quiet contemplation and birding.
Continuing on the concrete path, pass an accessible waterfront picnic pavilion with grills. The path splits again.
Picnic pavilionThe right branch leads to a bridge to the next inner island. Keep left to remain on the main route.
It sweeps closer to the water’s edge with unobstructed views. Cross a lakefront bridge to the next outer island.
The cove on Lake HarrisClusters of water lilies float in the channels between the inner islands. A line of cypress trees tempers the breeze off the lake.
The cypresses attract ibis feeding in their shadows. Watch the marshy edge leading up to the last inner island bridge, where gallinules often browse.
Ibis browsingA slight curve past a sycamore and under an oak leads to the final bridge to Ski Beach Park at 0.3 miles.
Turn around for a waterfront round-trip, or for the full accessible loop, follow the path across the park road and around the restrooms.
Bridge from gardens to Ski Beach ParkThe paved path emerges through a gap in the park fence to a sidewalk adjoining Lakeshore Drive.
Turn right, crossing the park entrance. An asphalt path begins along the rim of Venetian Gardens.
Exiting Ski Beach ParkAt a higher elevation than the lakeshore path, this asphalt path affords a better view across the islands than it did.
Benches sit on concrete platforms in the shade of a large oak. While live oaks provide occasional shade, this path is largely in the sun.
Shady spotA roadside warning sign about ducks crossing appears just as the duck family does, living near the water’s edge.
A half mile into the walk, pass a parking area on the other side of Venetian Park Drive.
Almost-fledged ducklings staying close to MomThe path curves, offering more open water views between the islands. By 0.7 miles, parallel the roadside parking area at Rogers Park.
The pathway draws closer to the Venetian waterway. A staircase and ramp lead to Rogers Park for access to its playground, restrooms, and splash pad.
Playground at Rogers ParkRestrooms for Venetian Gardens are within a green space where this pathway ends at Dixie Ave.
Turn right and pass between the stanchions on a broad sidewalk staying within the park, adjoining Dixie Ave.
StanchionsElevated above the grassy slope, it is shaded by live oaks and provides views across the islands. It ends at the parking area for the Venetian Center.
A reconfiguration of the route has made an accessible approach impossible to the original bridge to the near island.
Island views from sidewalkIf accessibility is needed, you must loop around the center’s parking lot to the the newer bridge fronting it.
If not, walk across the grass from the parking area to the long wooden bridge at 0.9 miles.
Wooden bridgeWhere this span meets a circular concrete path around the island, turn right. Walk counterclockwise among the big shade trees and azalea gardens past a gazebo.
Pause to read highlighted inscriptions. Each is a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King. The pathway circles the island to the main bridge.
Island loopAcross from it, a monument declares this walkway a tribute to the Black pioneers of Leesburg.
Exit the island on the bridge facing the Venetian Center doors and turn right, taking the waterfront path to your vehicle for a 1.1 mile loop.
Back to the starting pointTrail Map
Explore More!
Video
Hiking Venetian Gardens Park
Slideshow
See our photos from Venetian Gardens Park
Nearby Adventures
Flat Island Preserve Established as a botanical preserve for native plants, Flat Island Preserve protects islands in the Okahumpa Marsh, offering hikers and paddlers immersion in a lush wilderness
Bourlay Historic Nature Park Rich with the history of Leesburg’s early settlers, Bourlay Historic Nature Park features quaint century-old buildings and a system of short nature trails. 
PEAR Environmental Park Discover a deeply shaded walk on a nature trail that follows the trickle that is now the Palatlakaha River flowing towards Lake Harris. 
Lake Griffin Nature Trails In the uplands above the Dead River Marsh, a set of nature trails showcase wild landscapes and one of Florida’s largest live oaks at Lake Griffin State Park.
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