A.L. Anderson Park

Tarpon Springs : 39699 U.S. Highway 19 N , Tarpon Springs, 34689

This 129-acre park on Lake Tarpon offers a boat ramp, a dog park, nine picnic shelters, a boardwalk, nature trail and playground. Just east of U.S. 19, Anderson Park is a hilly and wooded retreat, with unusual "picnic pads" along Salmon Bay and a nature trail through the cypress trees. …

Anclote River Park

West Pasco : 1119 Bailies Bluff Road, Holiday, 34691

Bee Ridge Park

Sarasota : 4430 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, 34231

Crews Lake Wilderness Park

West Pasco : 16739 Crews Lake Drive, Shady Hills, 34610

Opened in the 1990s, Crews Lake Park is 113 acres of wild area surrounded by oak and cypress trees in Pasco County. The park features a tent camping area, boardwalk, bike trails and observation tower. There are four picnic shelters with grills ($25 for four-hour blocks) and two pavillions with  …

Flatwoods Wilderness Park

New Tampa : 14302 Morris Bridge Road , Thonotosassa, 33592

This 5,400-acre park is part of the Lower Hillsborough County Wilderness Preserve and was developed in cooperation with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Its 7-mile paved loop road is enjoyed by in-line skaters, bicyclists and runners. Flatwoods Park provides a welcome getaway fro …

Fort De Soto Park

Editor's pick

South Pinellas beaches : 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, 33715

The park comprises 1,136 acres of dry land on five interconnected islands. It is the largest of the county's parks and, while it has parking lots and snack shops, it also has large portions that are virtually undisturbed from the time indigenous people and Spanish explorers trod its shores. Its  …

Heritage Village

Editor's pick

Largo : 11909 125th St., Largo, 33774

Take a step back into Pinellas County's past, before urban sprawl, strip malls and U.S. 19. More than 28 structures and features fill this 21-acre living history museum. Some of Pinellas County's most historic buildings, several dating to the mid- to late-1800s, have been moved to this setting i …

John Chesnut Sr. Park

Editor's pick

Palm Harbor : 2200 East Lake Road , Palm Harbor, 34685

Adjacent to Lake Tarpon in northern Pinellas County, John Chesnut park is a launch site for several local fishing tournaments. Boats with combustion engines may use the lake, a fun place for water skiers and jet skiers. A canoe trail for craft with non-combustion engines leads to an interior lak …

Lake Park

Lutz : 17302 N Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz, 33548

This 589-acre park is a sanctuary for birds and wildlife, and features five lakes, cypress swamps, pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks. Lake Park is also home to an archery range, a BMX bicycle track, two equestrian arenas and a radio-controlled car track (see photo), making it one of Hillsboro …

Phillippi Estate Park

Sarasota : 5500 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 34231

Sand Key Park

North Pinellas beaches : 1060 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater, 33767

Sand Key Park is actually a park and a beach, just like Fort DeSoto. The park part offers picnic shelters with grills and tables, a playground and a dog park. The beach area contains cabana rentals, beach wheelchairs, outdoor showers and bath houses with changing stalls and restrooms. There is  …

War Veterans Memorial Park

Editor's pick

St. Petersburg : 9600 Bay Pines Blvd., St. Petersburg, 33708

Adjacent to the Bay Pines VA Medical Center, this 122-acre park on Boca Ciega Bay was donated to the county as surplus federal property. A major feature is the lighted, six-lane boat ramp that can be used 24 hours a day. There are 112 parking spaces nearby and Boca Ciega Bay provides access to t …