At a glance
| Location | Manatee County, north of University Parkway and west of I-75 |
|---|---|
| ZIP code | 34201 |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Size | About 1,200 acres, 1,202 lots in 32 neighborhoods |
| Gates | Staffed 24/7, plus a resident RFID gate on Honore Avenue |
| Club | University Park Country Club, 27 holes, owned by the University Park Recreation District |
Which University Park is this, and what county is it in?
Florida has more than one University Park. The one on this page is the gated golf community in Manatee County on Florida's Gulf Coast, between Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch; its recreation district is a Manatee County special district and its business office address is 8301 The Park Boulevard, University Park, FL 34201. Wikipedia's "University Park, Florida" article covers a different place: a neighborhood and former census-designated place in Miami-Dade County.
This University Park is not part of the Lakewood Ranch master plan, which lies east of I-75, but it sits close enough that buyers often compare the two. The country club says downtown Sarasota is about four miles away.
What University Park is known for
The community association describes a gated, master-planned community of 1,202 single-family lots in 32 neighborhoods across roughly 1,200 acres of ponds, oaks and landscaping, founded in 1991 and planned over about five years by developer Pat Neal with Rolf and Barbara Pasold. Most home sites face the golf course, water or a conservation area.
Its club offers 27 holes designed by Ron Garl, which the club says have held a four-star Golf Digest rating since 1996, along with 11 lighted Har-Tru tennis courts, 4 pickleball courts, a fitness center and croquet.
Is University Park a good neighborhood?
It suits buyers who want a mature, gated golf community with established trees and resident control of the association and club, close to Sarasota and the University Town Center. Weigh three layers of cost: the association, your own neighborhood's assessment, and the recreation district's bond payment now on every lot. The community was founded in 1991, so many homes are 25 to 35 years old and roof, HVAC and plumbing age matter more than in a new village east of I-75.
Homes and prices in University Park
The association's 2026 booklet describes each of the 32 neighborhoods. Some are landscape-maintained under a vendor contract paid through the neighborhood assessment, and others leave landscaping to the owner.
Villas and smaller homes
Whitebridge Court has 49 duplex villa buildings (98 homes) of about 1,350 to 1,750 square feet, and Notting Hill has 52 homes of about 1,300 to 2,300 square feet with a shared pool.
Mid-size single-family homes
Virginia Water is the largest neighborhood, with 115 homes of about 2,300 to 3,500 square feet, and Hampton Green has 90 homes averaging about 2,000 square feet around a community pool. Eaton Place has 86 homes of 2,700 to 3,200 square feet.
Custom estates
Mayfair has 11 custom homes from 4,000 to over 10,000 square feet along the 12th hole, and Albemarle has 11 homes of 4,000 to 8,000 square feet. Hyde Park's 12 homes sit on half-acre lots around a pond.
What homes sell for
Zillow does not publish a typical value for University Park or ZIP 34201 in our data. For context, Manatee County's typical value was $407,828 in August 2026 and Lakewood Ranch's $585,199. Compare recent sales within the same neighborhood and home size.
Living in University Park
The country club
University Park Country Club is semi-private: daily-fee golfers can book four days ahead, while members book 14 days ahead. The Park Grille and Cafe is open to the public for lunch and Sunday brunch. Membership types include full golf, racquets and a resident social membership.
Parks and recreation nearby
The association points to Nathan Benderson Park, an international rowing venue, and the club puts Gulf beaches about 15 minutes away.
Schools
Check the exact address in the Manatee County School District's school locator; attendance zones follow the address, not the community name.
Getting around
The main gate is staffed around the clock, and residents and club members can also use an RFID-controlled back gate on Honore Avenue.
HOA, recreation district and tax costs
Association and neighborhood fees
The University Park Community Association maintains roads, water lines, sewer systems, pumping stations, streetlights and the gates, and each neighborhood has its own assessment. Neither amount is published on the public site, so ask for both budgets and the estoppel figure.
Recreation district bond assessment
The University Park Recreation District owns the club. In 2026 the Florida Supreme Court ruled it could issue up to $21 million in bonds for club improvements, and the district said owners will pay an annual assessment of about $906 to $2,858, depending on the property, starting on the 2026 bill. Ask the seller or the district for the lot's figure from its assessment roll.
Property tax
University Park is unincorporated, where 2025 district totals ranged from 13.3100 to 14.7707 mills depending on the fire district and any MSTU. See the Manatee County property tax guide for a worked bill.
Flood
Henley's homes border the Braden River and many others back onto ponds, so check each address on the FEMA flood map and ask for an elevation certificate.
Pros and cons of University Park
Pros
- Mature landscaping, 27 holes of golf and resident control of the club.
- Staffed gate and a wide range of home sizes.
- Close to Sarasota, UTC and I-75.
Cons
- A new annual bond assessment from 2026.
- Older homes may need systems updates.
- Association and neighborhood fees are not published.
Compare The Concession, the Lakewood Ranch neighborhoods guide and Palmer Ranch in Sarasota.
Common questions
What county is University Park, FL in?+
The gated golf community of University Park on the Gulf Coast is in Manatee County, north of University Parkway and west of I-75, with the ZIP code 34201. A different place with the same name, a neighborhood and former census-designated place, is in Miami-Dade County.
Is University Park a good neighborhood?+
It suits buyers who want a mature, gated golf community with a staffed entrance, 27 holes and a range of home sizes close to Sarasota. Weigh the association, neighborhood and new recreation district bond assessments, and check the age of roofs and systems in homes built from the 1990s.
Where is University Park in FL?+
It is on Florida's Gulf Coast between Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch, north of University Parkway and west of I-75, with a back entrance on Honore Avenue. The country club puts downtown Sarasota about four miles away and Gulf beaches about 15 minutes by car.
Is University Park Country Club private?+
It is semi-private. Daily-fee golfers can book tee times four days ahead, members get 14-day booking, and the Park Grille and Cafe is open to the public for lunch and Sunday brunch. The club is owned by the University Park Recreation District, an independent special district.
How much is the University Park bond assessment?+
The University Park Recreation District says the annual bond assessment will range from about $906 to $2,858 depending on the property, collected on the Manatee County tax bill starting in November 2026. It replaces a proposed one-time irrigation assessment and funds up to $21 million of club improvements.
Sources
- University Park Community Association: Welcome
- University Park Community Association: 2026 Community Information booklet
- University Park Country Club: Home
- University Park Country Club: Country Club
- University Park Country Club: Golf
- University Park Recreation District: Home
- University Park Recreation District: Your annual bond assessment (August 2026)
- University Park Recreation District: Florida Supreme Court clears the way for UPRD capital improvements
- Michael Saunders and Company: University Park community guide
- Wikipedia: University Park, Florida (Miami-Dade)
- Manatee County Property Appraiser: 2025 Summary of Millage Rates by Tax District
- Manatee County School District: School locator
- FEMA: Flood Map Service Center
- Zillow Research: Zillow Home Value Index (August 2026 data)