There are more than 150 parks in the Tampa Bay area and that doesn’t include the expensive amusement and theme parks. These free community parks have such features as ball fields, beaches, boat ramps, canoe launch, recreation centers, computer labs, food concessions, dog parks, fitness facilities, golf courses, grills, gyms, jogging paths, picnic spots, piers, sports courts, playgrounds, pools, restrooms, shelters, tennis courts and walking trails.
Our community centers and playgrounds provide a safe, structured and fun environment. The City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department offers activities and classes for all ages: tots, youth, adults and seniors. Whatever your pastime, activity or outdoor interest may be, there is surely a park to indulge you.
Here are a few examples:
Al Lopez Park is 132 acres of Florida wildlife with a pond for fishing.
Ballast Point Park offers views of downtown Tampa, jogging, walking and rollerblading on walkways along the water, plus picnic shelters, children’s play area, and shade trees.
Ben T. Davis Beach is 10 minutes from downtown Tampa, and offers panoramic views of Tampa Bay. Soak up the sun, relax with a picnic or enjoy a game of beach volleyball.
Calvin Taylor Park offers many art and craft classes for children and adults. Classes include silk screening, digital mixed media, jewelry making, pottery, and much more.
Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park in downtown Tampa is the site for dragon boat races, the duck race, as well as weddings and ceremonies.
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park amenities include the Great Lawn, a dog run, two interactive fountains, a kiosk and pavilion with restrooms and new playground.
Cypress Point Park has a beautiful beach with stunning sunsets, a.90-mile asphalt trail and.44 miles of nature trails, beach walks, dunes, beach wildflowers and fishing.
Davis Islands Seaplane Basin offers a small beach area, off-leash area for dogs, picnic area, canoe launch and boat ramps.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Complex offers community centers and playgrounds in a safe, structured and fun environment with activities and classes for tots, youth, adults and seniors. Amenities include a gym, sports courts, playground, shuffleboard, computer lab, pool and art studio.
Eureka Springs Park is a 31-acre botanical garden of rare and unusual plants, with a greenhouse, trellised walks, interpretive trails, boardwalks, and a picnic area.
Gadsden Park includes MacDill Trail, a 1.47-mile asphalt trail, picnic tables, shelters, restrooms, ball fields, dog park, playground and fishing lake.
Gandy Park’s “Salty” Sol boat ramp offers two ramps and four lanes to launch, which are open 24 hours and there is trailer parking, restrooms and a boat wash area.
Hunt Community Center is an 11,000-square foot facility with a computer lab, arts and craft room, fitness room, conference room and game room with programs for adults and children.
Lettuce Lake Park has a 1.8 mile loop along Hillsborough River with a bicycle path and jogging trail, fitness course, interpretive exhibit center, two boardwalks and an observation tower for viewing birds and other wildlife in the cypress swamp.
Loretta Ingraham Recreation Complex has a pool with 5,078-square-feet of surface water.
Lowry Park has a 0.9-mile asphalt trail along the Hillsborough River. Park amenities include picnic tables, restrooms, fishing docks, a canoe and boat launch, and grills and shelter rentals.
Macfarlane Park is home to the Barksdale Senior Citizen Center and Freedom Playground, the city’s first universally accessible playground.
New Tampa Community Park has 40 acres with softball and soccer fields, concession stand and restrooms, plus a Recreation Center with 12,500 square-foot gymnastics area, large multipurpose room, and snack bar.
Picnic Island Park has a breathtaking view of the city, plus 7.8 acres of sandy beach access for swimming, canoeing, picnicking, and fishing from the pier.
Riverview Terrace Park has 4.23 acres with playground, basketball court, football/soccer field, and street hockey/skating area.
Robles Park boasts a pond encircled by paved trail for walking and viewing Florida’s wildlife.
Rowlett Park offers amenities for every member of the family: street hockey, tennis courts, trails, picnic tables, pier, fitness stations, and more.
Sulphur Springs Park & Pool provides a safe, structured and fun environment with views of the springs, sand volleyball court and a pool with 7,300-square-foot surface.
Upper Tampa Bay Park has kayaking, canoeing, fishing, hiking, picnicking, plus an environmental study center and more.
Woodland Terrace Park has a Cricket playing field among other sports amenities.
