Sonny Mccoy Indigenous Park

So, as far as Key West attractions go, this popped up because it was free and off the beaten path, literally it’s in a really nondescript off the main street where the beach and pier are. I found it because I wanted to see the Key West chickens and I hadn’t seen any at the point and there were a few there that I would be guaranteed to see. Besides chickens though are a lot of local species that are kept for conservation and education. It’s a small space but we had fun, particularly the myna bird which could talk and was cute would kick out eggs from other birds’ nests so they could lay their own. Devious little guys. It’s a short loop around and while not quite a zoo you can get pretty close to a lot of the animals here; the turtle pond in particular, those guys wake up really quickly when you make any hand or arm gesture.
All in all, it’s a good find and definitely a quirky little find in quirky Key West.

Don’t discount this place based how little it seems (especially since there is a popular, large park across the street). But this is also not a typical park, as there is no playground or typical park amenities. They do have free parking (convenient to the beach too). The park was named after Charles «Sonny» McCoy (former key west mayor for 5 terms and Monroe County Commissioner)
The «Indigenous» portion of the park’s name is the concept that this park was originally designed for. They wanted to protect the native species of trees from being destroyed and fully removed by developers, so around the park are a huge variety of trees. Okay, not exactly exciting stuff yet and not much of a reason for that 5 star rating.
They have a Wildlife Rescue center and a wildlife trail; which the kids always love.
What sold me on this place is the brand new BOCCE BALL courts (approximately 8 of them). I very much enjoy playing and finding a professional made court is very hard to find in Florida. Most parks in Broward and Palm Beach County only have grass courts and a couple on har-​tru (like a tennis court) and couple are done on artificial grass (the worst). Also the majority of parks that do have them, do very minimal maintenance so the courts are usually in a state of deterioration.
These courts are made professionally (I have never seen this quality level in any public bocce ball court within 200 miles (literally). They have composite boards (so no worries regarding wood rot), they have concrete walkways (including dips to hold the out of play balls, fully lit for night play, tons of local leagues and the course material is rock sand and clay (and the play surface is incredible)
Be sure to check this place out