At the time, access was by dirt road only from The Meadows, a community immediately to the west, and recreational use apart from motor boats was permitted.

Also in 2010, a non-profit organization was set up for the management of the park – Suncoast Aquatic Nature Center Associates Inc. (SANCA).

North Cattlemen Road was realigned in 2012 so that a regatta course meeting the requirements of the International Rowing Federation (FISA) could be established.

In 2013, president Barack Obama, put his support behind Sarasota County's bid to host the 2017 World Rowing Championships.

[7] The lake was also the site of the 2016 and 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials- Rowing and the 2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials-Canoe/Kayak, and will be the site of the 2021 U.S. Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew National Championships in 2022 International Dragon Boat Federation Club Crew World Championships.

The park's 3.4 miles (5.5 km) of parallel paved and shell trails are popular with runners, walkers, joggers, bicyclists, rollerblades, and more.

The park is known for its fishing, both on and off the water, and is ideal for recreational kayaking, canoeing, sailing, remote-control sailboats, and other non-gas-powered vessels.