SPORTS & RECREATION / PARKS & NATURE
Nature Centers & Preserves
Big Cat Rescue
12802 Easy Street
Tampa
813-920-4130
www.bigcatrescue.org
Boyd Hill Nature Park
1101 Country Club Way South
St. Petersburg
727-893-7326
www.stpete.org/fun/parks/ayboyd3.htm
Brooker Creek Preserve & Environmental Education Center
1001 Lora Lane
Tarpon Springs
727-453-6900
www.brookercreek.org
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater
727-441-1790
http://www.seewinter.com/
Crowley Museum & Nature Center
16405 Myakka Road
Sarasota
941-322-1000
www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org
Dunedin Nature Center
903 Michigan Boulevard
Dunedin
727-298-3271
www.dunedingov.com
Eureka Springs
6400 Eureka Springs Road
Tampa
813-744-5536
www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks
The Florida Botanical Gardens
Pinewood Cultural Park
12175 125th Street North
Largo
727-582-2100
www.flbg.org
Historic Bok Sanctuary & Bok Tower Gardens
1151 Tower Boulevard
Lake Wales
863-676-1408
www.boktower.org
Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center
1101 Country Club Way South
St. Petersburg
727-893-7326
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
811 S. Palm Avenue
Sarasota
941-366-5731
www.selby.org
Moccasin Lake Nature Park
2750 Park Trail Lane
Clearwater
727-462-6024
www.myclearwater.com
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
18328 Gulf Boulevard
Indian Shores
727-391-6211
Sunken Gardens
1825 Fourth Street North
St. Petersburg
727-551-3100
Weedon Island Preserve
1500 Weedon Island Drive
St. Petersburg
727-453-6500
www.weedonislandcenter.org
Parks & Recreation Contacts
City of Tampa
813-274-8615
Parks, pools, tennis courts, trails, sports facilities, and marinas are all included in the vast array of recreational amenities under the city’s supervision.
City of St. Petersburg
727-893-7335
http://www.stpete.org/
Select from a number of sports leagues, visit a lush local park, enjoy one of the pristine beaches, or take advantage of a full calendar of special events.
Pasco County
813-929-1260
www.pascocountyfl.net
Residents can enjoy outdoor recreation in nearly 35 county parks with a wide range of amenities from wilderness camping to sports fields. The county is also home to three state canoe trails.
Pinellas County
727-464-3347
www.pinellascounty.org/park
Nearly 4,200 acres offer sun-drenched beaches, sparkling lakes, and emerald expanses of natural habitat. Amenities are equally diverse from learning centers and playgrounds to outdoor recreational facilities.
Hillsborough County
813-975-2160
www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks
More than 200 recreational sites combine with 170 regional and local parks to offer in excess of 50,000 acres of well-managed recreational resources and miles of trails.
Sarasota County
941-861-5000
https://www.scgov.net/Pages/default.aspx
Lush parks, beautiful beaches, and a vast array of athletic and recreational facilities, programs, and services are available throughout the county.
County Park Highlights
Alderman’s Ford
9625 Canoe Launch Loop
Lithia
813-757-3801
www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks
Canoeing, picnicking, and hiking on nature trails are popular activities at this 1,141-acre park.
Anclote Gulf Park & River Park
2305 Baillies Bluff Road
Holiday
727-942-4030
http://www.pascocountyfl.net/index.aspx?NID=681
The gulf park offers a fishing pier, picnic areas/shelters; the river park provides a boat ramp, fishing access, and swimming.
Boca Ciega Bay
Fort DeSoto Park
3500 Pinellas Bayway
St. Petersburg
727-582-2267
www.pinellascounty.org/park
Interconnecting islands offer fishing piers, historic features, camping, and a fine beach.
E.G. Simmons Park
2401 19th Avenue
Ruskin
813-671-7655
www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks
Public beach with boat ramps and fishing pier attracts water-sport enthusiasts as well as anglers and nature lovers.
Fred Howard Park
1700 Sunset Drive
Tarpon Springs
727-943-4081
www.pinellascounty.org/park
This gulf waterfront park features a beach and mile-long causeway connecting the swimming area with the mainland.
Key Vista Park
2700 Ballies Bluff Road
Holiday
813-929-1260
www.pascocountyfl.net
This regional coastal environmental park offers picnic areas and nature trails.
Lake Park
176302 N. Dale Mabry Highway
Lutz
813-264-3806
www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks
Five lakes for boating and fishing combine with motorcross and equestrian facilities in a wooded setting.
Sawgrass Lake Park
7400 25th Street North
St. Petersburg
727-526-3020
www.pinellascounty.org/park
Features include a boardwalk through one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Upper Tampa Bay Park
8001 Double Branch Road
Tampa
813-855-1765
www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks
This environmental study center on 2,144 acres offers picnicking, hiking, and bay views from boardwalks.
Regional State Parks
Alafia River State Park
Lithia Area
813-672-5320
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Alafia-River
Anclote Key State Preserve
Tarpin Springs Area
727-469-5943
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Anclote-Key
Caladesi Island State Park
Dunedin Area
727-469-5918
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Caladesi-Island
Cayo Costa State Park
Boca Grande Area
941-964-0375
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Cayo-Costa
Don Pedro Island State Park
Boca Grande Area
941-964-0375
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Don-Pedro-Island
Egmont Key State Park
Tampa Bay Area
727-893-2627
www.floridastateparks.org/egmontkey
Estero Bay Preserve State Park
Estero Area
239-992-0311
www.floridastateparks.org/EsteroBay
Gasparilla Island State Park
Boca Grande Area
941-964-0375
www.floridastateparks.org/gasparillaisland
Hillsborough River State Park
Thonotosassa Area
813-987-6771
www.floridastateparks.org/hillsboroughriver
Honeymoon Island State Park
Dunedin Area
727-469-5942
www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland
Lake Manatee Recreation Area
Bradenton Area
941-741-3028
www.floridastateparks.org/lakemanatee
Little Manatee River State Park
Wimauma Area
813-671-5005
https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Little-Manatee-River
Myakka River State Park
Sarasota Area
941-361-6511
www.floridastateparks.org/myakkariver
