Beginning with City Park (today’s Williams Park) in the late 19th century and expanding to the waterfront in the early 20th, St. Petersburg’s parks have a long history of providing locals and visitors with a wide variety of amenities. Today, St. Pete can boast more than 150 city parks and numerous Pinellas County parks. According to the Trust for Public Land, 77 percent of residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park. Park amenities vary depending on location and size and can include picnic areas, playgrounds, beaches, boat ramps, fishing docks, playing fields, sports courts, fitness equipment, trails, nature preserves, art installations, and historic sites. Dogs and skaters even have their own spaces. Parks & Recreation also offers classes, service projects, camps, and a variety of after-school educational programs. Choose an activity or choose to relax, and there’s a park or recreation center that fits your needs.
Trails, Trees, Birds, and More!
Located at 1101 Country Club Way and bordering Lake Maggiore, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve offers numerous ways for visitors to connect with the natural world. First-time visitors should start with “The Ripple Effect: Understanding Nature’s Connections” at the onsite Lake Maggiore Environmental Education Center. This exhibit provides a great introduction to the park’s numerous and interconnected ecosystems. An extensive network of trails and boardwalks takes visitors throughout the park so they can experience the beauty and tranquility of nature. Daily tram tours also are available. In addition to tranquility, these winding paths take hikers and riders through multiple habitats and offer ample opportunities to get a glimpse of some of the fauna that make Boyd Hill home, including at least 60 species of amphibians and reptiles, over 50 species of butterflies, and more than 165 species of birds. For the more adventuresome, overnight camping spots can be reserved at St. Pete’s first public primitive family campground.
Random Bits of History
Boyd Hill’s history as a site to experience nature within the city dates back to the 1940s. Construction began on the “Nature Trail” in 1947. By the 1950s, the popular trail had expanded to include a zoo. By the 1970s, however, animal overcrowding and park vandalism spurred a call for a change. The result was the rebirth of Boyd Hill as a nature preserve and educational hub. Today that focus is more evident than ever. In addition to the on-site exhibit, the education center also offers a wide array of classes and activities designed to teach and entertain nature lovers of all ages. The Park also is home to the Birds of Prey program. Birds that cannot be released back into the wild find a safe home at Boyd Hill, where they serve as ambassadors to help educate the public. Boyd Hill is a special place. As the “Friends of Boyd Hill” describe, “This quiet corner of a sprawling city is so much more than just a nice place to walk on a sunny afternoon. It is a classroom, a playground, a camping area, a lecture room and a lovely setting for a wedding or a quiet picnic lunch.” We’re lucky to have it.
Thank St. Pete Parks & Rec!
For more information about Boyd Hill’s entrance fees, policies, hours, numerous programs, and volunteer opportunities, call (727) 893-7326 or send email to visit [email protected]. For information about any other of St. Pete’s many parks visit www.stpeteparksrec.org or call (727) 893-7441.
