Shepard Park

Alan Shepard Park in Cocoa Beach is a family beach park that earns its name — this spot is named after Alan B. Shepard Jr., the astronaut who became the first American in space and grew up on the Space Coast. For families visiting Kennedy Space Center, that connection adds a layer of meaning to what is already one of the nicer beach park setups in Brevard County.

Located at 299 E Cocoa Beach Causeway right on the Atlantic Ocean, the park provides direct beach access with proper facilities: restrooms, shower stations, and parking. That last point matters more than it sounds — showering beach sand off kids before the car ride home is a quality-of-life upgrade that many beach spots skip.

The park is adjacent to the Cocoa Beach Pier area, giving families easy access to the surf culture, dining, and activity rentals that make Cocoa Beach one of Florida's most family-friendly beach towns. Surfboard and boogie board rentals are available nearby, and the Cocoa Beach Pier restaurants offer everything from casual fish tacos to sit-down meals.

For very young children, the playground equipment at the park gives toddlers who aren't ready to wade in the ocean something engaging to do while older kids surf or swim. The overall setup is genuinely multi-generational — this is a park that works for grandparents and toddlers and teenagers simultaneously.

Entry to the park is free; parking fees may apply depending on the lot. Arrive early on busy summer weekends — spots fill fast and the beach gets crowded by mid-morning.