City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 1800 Weedon Dr. N.E.
17. The Long Center
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (727) 793-2320
Address: 1501 N. Belcher Rd.
Description: The Long Center has a fully equipped fitness center, gymnasium, football and soccer fields, trails, an Olympic-size swimming pool, and a heated training pool. Clubs and activities at the center range from dance classes to woodcarving, and various sports leagues meet here. The Long Center also offers programs for homeschooled students and they have an all-abilities playground. Call for class schedules and fees. The Long Center and the aquatic complex open at 6 a.m. Monday through Friday, and at 8 a.m. on Saturday. They close at 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and at 7 p.m. on Friday. The aquatic complex closes at noon on Saturday, but the recreation complex is open until 5 p.m. on Saturday. The complexes are closed on Sunday.
18. Cliff Stephens Park
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 600 Fairwood Ave.
Description: The City of Clearwater has two disc golf parks that interconnect—Cliff Stephens and Northeast Coachman (1120 Old Coachman Rd.). For descriptions of a dozen or so disc golf courses in the area, most designed by local resident and multi-titled disc golf champion CR Willey, go to Tampa Bay Disc Sports Club’s Web site (www.tampabaydiscsportsclub.com). On the left rail, are links to a list of disc sport events, upcoming tournaments, a discussion board, and local stores selling disc golf equipment. Multiple title-holding disc golf champ Ken Climo also is a member of the Tampa Bay Disc Sports Club. Look for the link on the TBDSC site to Climo’s site—he provides helpful information about getting that fickle flier to fall firmly into the basket.
19. Station Square Park
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 612 Cleveland St.
Description: Talk about urban open space—this little park, sandwiched between two downtown buildings, is a lovely spot for small events. There’s not much in the way of green grass, but a small amphitheater, fountains, and thoughtful landscaping make this a refreshing midday retreat for office workers looking for a spot to eat lunch outdoors.
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 1101 Country Club Way S.
21. Dell Holmes Park
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: Located on the north end of Lake Maggiore, Dell Holmes Park offers 20 acres of tree-shaded peace and quiet—and fishing, golfing, and play areas, too. Fish off of the pier, take a lap around the fitness trail, practice your swing on the driving range, or tap a few balls into the cup on the putting green. Let the kids play on the playground. Then grill up some hotdogs or burgers and enjoy the sounds of nature. Dell Holmes Park is open from just before sunrise to just after sunset each day. Call the Parks Department at (727) 893-7335 for more information.
22. Gisella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: What do you do with a two-acre, city-owned miniature golf course that the city can’t afford to maintain any longer? That was the question that faced the City of St. Petersburg in 1976. The answer? Turn it into a palm arboretum, of course. Stroll along winding brick paving and view more than 100 species of palms and cycads, including the King Sago. (Not to be outdone, there’s a Queen Sago and an Emperor Sago, too.) Look for the Teddy Bear Palm, the Old Man Palm, and the Gru-Gru Palm. Signs give their more formal scientific names, where they’re from, and other information. There are benches and drinking fountains at the arboretum and the pathway is wheelchair friendly. Free parking is nearby. Guided tours are available on request—call (727) 893-7335 for more information.
23. Al Lopez Park
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 4810 N. Himes Ave.
Description: Al Lopez Park is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The Hunt Community Center (813-348-1172) at the park offers after-school and other programs for children ages five to seventeen. Along with 132 acres of land with picnic facilities, trails, a dog park, and a fishing pier, there is also a futuristic Evos play system accessible and attractive to children of differing abilities. Look for the “Talking Tot Turf.”
24. Cal Dickson Tennis Center
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (813) 259-1893
Address: 4011 Watrous Ave.
Description: The focus is on tennis here. The Cal Dickson Tennis Center serves up eight courts, private tennis lessons, and group tennis classes—plus picnic areas and restrooms. Bring your racket.
25. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Recreation Complex
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (813) 259-1667
Address: 2200 N. Oregon Ave.
Description: In addition to an after-school program here, there’s also an art studio (813-259-1607) offering classes to people of all ages who want to explore their creative sides. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Recreational Complex also has a gymnasium, a swimming pool (open seasonally—call 813-259-1606), shuffleboard, and other activities.
26. Wayne C. Papy Seminole Heights Athletic Center
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (813) 231-5273
Address: 6925 N. Florida Ave.
Description: Tampa’s Gymnastic and Dance Program has its home here at the Wayne C. Papy Seminole Heights Athletic Center—plus this is where the city’s Athletic Office (813-231-5270) is located. Yoga and Bunco activities are offered for adults and seniors.
27. Barrier Island Beaches in Pinellas County
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: There are a number of beach access areas along the Pinellas County barrier islands, many of which have parking, restrooms, and shower towers. Some of them have picnic shelters or benches.For information about beach access areas, go to the Web site and download the 11-page Beach Access Guide to discover the hundreds of ways to get to your own waiting-to-be-discovered favorite beach. Madeira Beach, for instance, has 17 public access areas with 556 parking spots. Each page includes a detailed map and a chart listing the various amenities to be found at each spot.
28. Ben T. Davis Beach
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 7650 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway
Description: A Tampa City Park, Ben T. Davis Beach is at the upper end of Tampa Bay on the northeast side near the Rocky Point area. Located at the east end of the Courtney Campbell Causeway and with access on the south side of the road, Ben T. Davis Beach has a concession stand, shelters, grills, beach volleyball, and the three Ss—surf, sand, and sun. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend. Whiskey Joe’s Bar and Grill adjoins the property, so be prepared for party crowds at times.
29. Cypress Point Park
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 5620 W. Cypress St.
Description: Behind you rise the skyscrapers of downtown Tampa. In front of you are the waters of Tampa Bay. Cypress Point Park offers beaches and a canoe and kayak launch spot plus shelters, restrooms, and a couple of short trails. Plus it faces west—think sunsets on the beach just a hop, skip, and a jump from your office. Cypress Point is a Tampa City Park.
30. Davis Islands Seaplane Basin
City: Tampa Bay, FL
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 864 Severn Ave.
Description: At the end of the Davis Islands and adjacent to the Yacht Club Basin, the Davis Islands Seaplane Basin has a beach with an off-leash area for dogs. You’ll find a boat ramp and a canoe and kayak launch area, too, in this Tampa City park.