1. 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. …

2. Adventure Island

   Editor's pick

   Tampa : 10001 McKinley Drive, Tampa, 33612

   Adventure Island's 30 acres provide water-soaked excitement for guests of all ages. The park's laid-back Florida Keys theme is punctuated with corkscrew slides, waterfalls, a giant wave pool and a rambling river.The 17,000-square foot Endless Surf produces rolling waves up to 5 feet high. Paradi …

3. Al Lopez Park

   Editor's pick

   Tampa : 4810 N Himes Ave., Tampa, 33614

   The park, just a punt and a bunt from Raymond James Stadium and Legends Field, thrusts a determined green jaw into Tampa's urban landscape. It features 126 acres of rest and relaxation, with 13 picnic shelters, nearly 2 miles of trails, two ponds and a dog park. The Cancer Survivors Plaza crowns …

4. Anclote Gulf Park

   West Pasco : 2305 Baillies Bluff Road , Holiday, 34691

5. Anderson Park

   South Tampa : 821 S Rome Ave., Tampa, 33606

   Anderson Park is nestled in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood of Tampa, just west of Old Hyde Park Village shopping center. The neighborhood park offers children lots of playground equipment, picnic benches and shade trees. While not quite a true sprayground, kids love running through the foun …

6. Bee Ridge Park

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

7. Biscayne National Park

   Editor's pick

   Homestead : 9700 SW 328 St., Homestead, 33033

   Biscayne National Park lies a few miles south of Miami. On weekends, the park's two main keys, Boca Chita and Elliott, fill with pleasure boaters trying to escape the hustle and bustle of one of Florida's largest cities. The bay, while not deep, is exceptionally clear. On a sunny day, you can se …

8. Caladesi Island State Park

   Editor's pick

   Dunedin : 1 Causeway Blvd. (at the West end of Dunedin Causeway), Dunedin, 34698

   Caladesi Island State Park contains one of the nation's best beaches. The 661-acre island is accessible only by boat or ferry. Caladesi has picnic tables and shelters near its sandy beach and a marina with electric and water hookups, as well as a snack bar and gift shop. Fishing is allowed, but  …

9. 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  …

10. Cypress Forest Park

    Oldsmar : 650 Pine Ave. N, Oldsmar, 34677

    Adjacent to a wildlife and environmental preserve, the 10-acre park includes picnic shelters, restrooms, a boardwalk and paths through wooded nature areas. Cypress Forest Park is a great place for summertime fun with its 1,500-square-foot sprayground bursting, shooting and cascading water throug …

11. Cyrus Greene Park

    Tampa : 2101 E Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, 33601

    Cyrus Greene Pool is open year-round. The 25-yard pool is handicapped accessible and features six swim lanes, splash pad with three water drops, floor sprays, two rain arches and a tube slide. The pool is open year-round. Hours: Monday and Wednesday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m t …

12. Davis Islands Seaplane Basin

    Davis Islands : 864 Severn Ave. , Tampa, 33606

    This isn't an official park, although many beach lovers come here to throw a blanket on the sand and read a book waterside, with downtown Tampa as the backdrop. Think twice about swimming, though — locals say the cove is polluted with waste from boats whose owners live on board. Other than …

13. Dell Holmes Park

    St. Petersburg : 2741 22nd St. S , St. Petersburg, 33712

    Dell Holmes Park is located along the north shore of Lake Maggiore in St. Petersburg. The 21-acre park features an accessible and lighted fitness trail, year-round fishing in the lake and fishing pier, gazebo, picnic shelters, and a golf driving range and putting green. The playground includes a …

14. Demens Landing

    Editor's pick

    Downtown St. Petersburg : 100 First Ave. SE, St. Petersburg, 33701

    Named after Peter Demens, one of the founding fathers of St. Petersburg, this waterfront park along Tampa Bay offers a great view of the Pier. With two picnic shelters and grills, it also makes a great picnicing spot that's often less-crowded than other parks. Demens Landing also has a playgroun …

15. Edward Medard Park and Reservoir

    Plant City : 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City, 33567

    Tucked away in eastern Hillsborough County between Brandon and Plant City, the park is a popular one for people who like to camp, fish, mountain bike, boat or hike. The park extends along 1,284 acres owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, where a reservoir offers flood protect …

16. 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 …

17. Florida Auto Exchange Stadium

    Editor's pick

    Dunedin : 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 34698

    The 5,509-seat stadium is home to the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training. In fact, the Blue Jays played their first-ever game at the old Grant Field on March 11, 1977. During the summer, the stadium is home to the Dunedin Blue Jays Minor League team. Sports Illustrated once ranked it among …

18. 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  …

19. Fred Howard Park

    Editor's pick

    Tarpon Springs : 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs, 34689

    Fred Howard Park occupies 155 acres on the Gulf of Mexico in Tarpon Springs. A mile-long causeway links the main park area with a white, sandy beach popular with northern Pinellas and western Pasco residents. The beach reopened in December 2009 after two years of repairs to causeway bridges.The  …

20. Giddens Park

    Seminole Heights : 5202 N 12th St., Tampa, 33603

    This Southeast Seminole Heights neighborhood park provides lots of opportunities for fun for the whole family. There is a fully-equipped playground, with splash pad and interactive fountain to cool off in hot summer months, sports courts and plenty of open space for games and a dog park for your …

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