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.
Honoring Veterans
Bordering beautiful Boca Ciega Bay, War Veterans’ Memorial Park is just west of the Veterans Administration Bay Pines Healthcare Center and National Cemetery. Carved out of federal surplus land, the 122-acre park was created to honor veterans of all wars and all services. Dedicated in April 1974, the park’s Memorial Center features plaques with official Armed Forces flags commemorating the five military branches of the United States as well as an impressive 3.5-ton granite sundial centerpiece specifically engineered for the site. Nearby, visitors can examine a surplus 45,000-pound 4-man Korean War era Walker Bulldog Army tank. Manufactured in 1953, the tank was acquired in 1970 specifically for display in the park. In 2015, the Memorial Center also became home to a Battlefield Cross Monument honoring fallen military service members from the Gulf War era. Dedicated on Memorial Day 2015, this monument echoes the battlefield memorials used since Civil War days to mark the spot on which military personnel made the ultimate sacrifice.
“Eagle Seal of Approval”
Before the park’s dedication, there were “worries that a family of bald eagles might not like it.” Despite concerns, the family of eagles remained on site to observe the April 6, 1974, dedication and seemed unbothered by the increased nest scrutiny after the park’s opening. Honoring military veterans is its focal point, but as the eagles demonstrated, the park also offers an expansive setting for flora and fauna. Numerous amenities help human visitors enjoy the many benefits of its waterfront setting as well. Bordering Boca Ciega Bay along both its southern and eastern edges, the park is home to five waterfront shelters with picnic tables and grills, a boat ramp, and a separate canoe/kayak launch spot. There are also several playground areas, and leashed pets are allowed throughout the park. A boardwalk/nature trail offers a clear path for walking or cycling with beautiful views and educational plaques along the way. With plenty of free parking and easy access to all its amenities, War Veterans’ Memorial Park is a great place to enjoy the benefits of its beautiful setting beyond taking a moment to honor those who serve.
For more information about War Veterans’ Memorial Park or any other Pinellas County Park or Preserve, visit www.pinellascounty.org park or call (727) 582-2100
