There is a lovely county park on Lake Weir --
Carney Island Recreation & Conservation Area
with a very large boat launch/parking area, netted sand beach, picnic pavilions and beautiful views. It's a 15-mile bicycle ride from The Villages, probably a little shorter by car.
The website
MCBCC | Parks and Recreation | Carney Island tells the interesting history of the park --
" Many Seminoles settled in the Lake Weir area where they farmed and raised livestock. In the 1800’s, the lake was named in honor of U.S. Army Lieutenant Weir, who was killed near the lake’s banks by the Seminole Indians in the early 1800’s. In 1875, Captain John L. Carney and his brother E.L. Carney purchased the land now known as Carney Island" -- for citrus farming -- later bought by Coca-Cola, then donated/sold to the county. There are large areas of abandoned citrus groves lining the long entry road. Very peaceful and quiet every time we have been there.