Coral Gables has dozens of city parks plus the Venetian Pool, Matheson Hammock and Fairchild garden. Dog parks, pool hours and bike rules. Pool: 305-460-5306.
Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Facts on this page come from the City of Coral Gables parks and open spaces pages, its parks amenities list (PDF) and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. War Memorial Youth Center: 305-460-5600.
Coral Gables calls itself the City Beautiful, and much of that comes from its green space: more than 60 parks, plazas, greens and recreation sites on the city’s list, most of them small neighborhood parks under shade trees. Three bigger draws sit inside the city: the Venetian Pool, Matheson Hammock Park on Biscayne Bay and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Who to call
- City parks, park rentals, recreation programs: War Memorial Youth Center, 305-460-5600; park rental permits
- Venetian Pool: 305-460-5306
- Matheson Hammock Park and Marina (county park): 305-665-5475
- Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: 305-667-1651
- Pet waste stations and pet-friendly parks: petpoo@coralgables.com
The big three
| Place | Address | Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Venetian Pool | 2701 De Soto Blvd. | 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tue.-Fri.; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sat.-Sun.; closed Mon. | Spring-fed since 1923, refilled daily with more than 820,000 gallons; two waterfalls and grottoes; tickets online |
| Matheson Hammock Park and Marina | 9610 Old Cutler Road | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily | 630-acre county park; atoll pool flushed by the tide, beach, marina, trails, restaurant in a coral rock building; $5 per car weekdays, $7 weekends and holidays |
| Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden | 10901 Old Cutler Road | 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily | Botanic garden next to Matheson Hammock; allow three hours or more; members enter early on Tuesdays |
The Venetian Pool was closed Oct. 5-6 for maintenance; check the city’s page before you go.
City parks to know
| Park | Address | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Salvadore Park | 1120 Andalusia Ave. | Tennis center, dog run |
| War Memorial Youth Center | 405 University Drive | Recreation programs and events |
| Jaycee Park | 1230 Hardee Road | Neighborhood park with a rental area |
| Phillips Park | 90 Menores Ave. | Ball field, basketball, rental area |
| Coral Bay Park | 1590 Campamento Ave. | Neighborhood park in the south end |
| Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park | 2810 Ponce de Leon Blvd. | Downtown events, Art in the Park |
| Merrick Park | 405 Biltmore Way | In front of City Hall; farmers market in winter |
| Ruth Bryan Owen Waterway Park | 3940 Granada Blvd. | Waterway views; city sensory-friendly events |
| Majorca Park | 937 Majorca Ave. | Enclosed park with a large playground |
| Catalonia Park | 807 Catalonia Ave. | Two giant concrete turtles under oak trees |
The city’s full list has every park with a map link, and its amenities PDF shows which have playgrounds, benches, courts and rental areas. Reserving any park requires a permit.
Golf and tennis
- Biltmore Golf Course, 1210 Anastasia Ave., the city’s course at the Biltmore Hotel.
- Granada Golf Course, 2001 Granada Blvd.
- William H. Kerdyk Biltmore Tennis Center, 1150 Anastasia Ave., and the Salvadore Park Tennis Center, 1120 Andalusia Ave.
Dog parks and pet-friendly parks
Chewy Bark Park, 4500 Ponce de Leon Blvd., is the city’s first fenced space just for dogs, and Salvadore Park has a dog run. Nearly 30 more city parks are pet-friendly with dogs on a leash. Rules: leash at all times in park property, clean up right away (the city has 101 pet waste stations), supervise your dog, and no dogs in heat, sick dogs or puppies under 4 months.
Biking
From the city’s Bicycling Coral Gables page:
- You may ride on sidewalks except on Miracle Mile, and must yield to pedestrians.
- Ride with traffic on the right half of the road; obey signals and signs.
- Use a white front light and red rear light from dusk to dawn.
- Riders and passengers under 16 must wear a helmet.
- Park bikes in marked spaces in the business district.
The city installs bike racks for businesses free of charge; ask through the city’s mobile app or pwdepartment@coralgables.com.
What this means for you
- Book Venetian Pool tickets online and skip Mondays.
- Bring cash or a card for Matheson Hammock’s parking fee, $7 on weekends.
- Dogs off leash only at Chewy Bark Park and the Salvadore dog run.
More: things to do this month, farmers markets, walking and biking trails, dog-friendly Coral Gables and getting around Coral Gables.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a dog park in Coral Gables?
Yes. Chewy Bark Park, 4500 Ponce de Leon Blvd., is the city’s first fenced dog park, and Salvadore Park, 1120 Andalusia Ave., has a dog run. Dogs must be leashed in the city’s other pet-friendly parks.
What are the Venetian Pool hours?
The city lists 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Mondays. Book tickets online; call 305-460-5306.
How much does it cost to get into Matheson Hammock Park?
Parking is $5 per car on weekdays and $7 on weekends and holidays, according to the city’s listing for the county park. The park is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Can you ride a bike on the sidewalk in Coral Gables?
Yes, except on Miracle Mile, where riding on the sidewalk is prohibited. Cyclists must yield to pedestrians, and riders under 16 must wear a helmet.
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