KEY ENCOUNTERS

When you think of Longboat Key, a postcardperfect scene of sugary white beaches stretching for miles alongside the turquoise Gulf of Mexico probably springs to mind. It’s an accurate picture. But this island has another side. Joan M. Durante Park is a slice of subtropical paradise along Sarasota Bay. If you’re seeking a key encounter with Florida’s luscious flora and fauna, look no further. This 32-acre park boasts thriving wetlands and a coastal hammock ecosystem. In this magical space, the pace of life slows down. You’re on nature’s time with zero stress and infinite possibilities. There are miles of walking trails, a children’s playground and a boardwalk that winds through mangrove forests and leads to a killer view of the bay. Your destination is up to you. Meditate beneath a gumbo limbo tree. Sit by the pond and watch water birds sweep down for their afternoon sip. Wander down any path with no particular direction. Wherever you go, you’ve clearly arrived.