Gilchrist Park -- One of the Parks of Punta Gorda

This past weekend we took a picnic dinner down to one of the wonders of Punta Gorda -- Gilchrist Park.  Situated on Retta Esplande along the Peace River, the park hugs the shore of the river with a winding pathway dotted with amusements and places of rest including a playground, benches and picnic areas, tennis courts, a gazebo, and a pier jutting out over the harbor.  There are also convenient and clean restroom facilities.

Sunsets are one of delights of southwest Florida...natives and snowbirds alike make the excursion near nightfall to somewhere near water in hopes of witnessing the elusive green flash.  And, among other things, Gilchrist Park is a lovely setting for this nightly ritual.  We never tire of watching the sun descend in a blaze of color over the river.

We've also enjoyed bringing our granddaughter here, listening to music at the gazebo or at one of the other spots in the park on Thursday evenings, walking, playing tennis or just enjoying time here -- time in a way we thought was long gone, of another era.  From the park you can see flocks of birds wading or flying across the horizon, admire the Victorian homes on the other side the Esplanade, enjoy dogs walking with their owners and children at play.  

Curious about the namesake of the park, I found that Albert Gilchrist was a Punta Gordean, originally from South Carolina -- most Punta Gordean's were and are now from somewhere else.  He worked as a surveyer, real estate broker and ultimately Governor of Florida.  His legacy and name rests with the park, and the bridge that crosses the harbor, and one of the counties of Florida.  But there is one other great tradition that remains with Punta Gorda for which we can thank Gilchrist.  Every Halloween the Masons provide free ice cream near Gilchrist Park to children who come in costume to the historic district of Punta Gorda.  It was Gilchrist who left money in his will for the perpetual gift of ice cream to the children of Punta Gorda.