If you have been to Founders Park in Islamorada, you already know it is one of the best amenities in the Florida Keys. If you have not been yet, here is your introduction - and a heads-up that new entrance and membership rates took effect on March 1, 2026.
What Is Founders Park?
Founders Park is a 45-acre community park at Mile Marker 87 on Plantation Key in Islamorada. It sits on the bayside of the Overseas Highway and packs an impressive amount into one location: a shallow-water beach on Florida Bay, the Ron Levy Aquatic Center (an Olympic-size pool with diving boards, a water slide, and a toddler splash pad), lighted tennis and pickleball courts, soccer and baseball fields, basketball courts, a marina with a boat ramp, a dog park, a skate park, an amphitheater, fitness trails, and a playground.
Islamorada residents get in free. Everyone else pays a non-resident entrance fee - and those fees just updated.
2026 Non-Resident Daily Entrance Fees
Standard daily rates (non-holiday) are now $7 for youth and seniors (ages 3-17 and 65+) and $10 for adults (ages 18-64) for park entry only. Add pool access for an extra $3 per youth/senior or $5 per adult on top of the park fee.
On holiday weekends - Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, and all summer weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day - the park-only rate rises to $10 for youth/seniors and $15 for adults. Pool fees are additional.
Monroe County residents (non-Islamorada) have their own rate: $3 for youth/seniors and $5 for adults for park-only entry.
Membership Options for Non-Residents
If you are spending extended time in Islamorada, whether you are a seasonal resident, a second-home owner, or a long-term visitor, a membership pays off quickly.
1-Month Memberships (Park Only / Park and Pool)
- Youth / Senior: $30 / $60
- Adult: $45 / $90
- Family (up to 4 members): $125 / $175 (each additional member $40)
3-Month Memberships (Park Only / Park and Pool)
- Youth / Senior: $40 / $80
- Adult: $60 / $120
- Family (up to 4 members): $165 / $325 (each additional member $40)
Annual Memberships (Park Only / Park and Pool)
- Youth / Senior: $130 / $190
- Adult: $195 / $325
- Family (up to 4 members): $360 / $615 (each additional member $40)
Non-resident memberships cover the cardholder only. Guests of members still pay standard non-resident daily rates.
10-Pack Punch Cards
Prefer flexibility over a membership? The 10-pack punch card option has no expiration date and covers both park and pool entry. Pricing is $80 for youth/seniors and $120 for adults.
Good to Know Before You Go
The Ron Levy Aquatic Center closed February 1, 2026 for a resurfacing and facility improvement project, so confirm pool availability before your visit. Founders Park is alcohol-free — no glass containers, no smoking. Dogs are welcome on leash in most areas but not on the beach, in the pool area, or in picnic pavilions. The dedicated dog park is fully fenced with synthetic turf, agility equipment, and separate large and small dog areas.
Rates, amenities, and park rules shown here are based on information available as of March 2026 and are subject to change. Confirm current fees, hours, and facility availability directly with the park at (305) 853-1685.
Why Founders Park Matters to Islamorada Buyers
When buyers ask what everyday life looks like in Islamorada, Founders Park is always part of the answer. A world-class reef system and backcountry fishing are the headliners, but having a park like this - with a beach, a pool, sports courts, live music, and a marina - adds a layer of livability that is genuinely hard to find anywhere else in the Keys.
If you are exploring Islamorada real estate and want to understand what it actually feels like to live here, reach out. Jim Signor has been working the Florida Keys market since 1988 and is happy to answer questions about any neighborhood from Key Largo to the Lower Keys.