St. Pete is home to more than 150 parks, offering a wide variety of possible activities. There are more than 100 picnic areas, 80 playgrounds, 44 miles of fitness trails, 30 basketball courts, 21 boat ramps, 11 softball fields, six dog parks, five beaches, three skate parks, two disc-golf courses, and one jai-alai court. We also have 76 tennis courts. 33 football/soccer fields, 31 baseball fields, nine volleyball courts, four historic sites, three nature preserves, and numerous splash pads. And, still, there’s more! Simply put, choose an activity (or choose to just relax) and there’s a city park that fits your needs.
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 but 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 parks. The Parks & Recreation Department 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.
A Neighborhood School (Eventually) Becomes a Neighborhood Park
In 1927, the newly built two-story Rio Vista Elementary School opened its doors to a small group of neighborhood students. During a booming decade, the city anticipated a rapid growth in enrollment. Almost as soon as the school opened, the local expansion came to a crashing halt, and the school sat empty during most of the 1930s and ‘40s. The long-anticipated neighborhood growth finally happened in the golden postwar era, and Rio Vista reopened in 1950. For nearly 60 years, students filled its halls before it closed for good in 2009, a result of falling enrollments. For four years, the abandoned school sat empty as leaders debated over the best use of the land. Finally in 2013, the school came down, and the eight-acre Riviera Park was born. Two cornerstones and a historical marker remind visitors of the neighborhood landmark, but the new park far surpasses the confining limits of the small school that once stood at its edge.
Outdoor Fun at its Best
Riviera Park, at 8131 Macoma Drive NE, offers convenient parking, bathrooms, drinking fountains, and an abundance of amenities for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether a visitor wants to walk, run, bike, hit a ball, play some hoops, pump some iron, or relax, the park can accommodate. As you meander along the walking trail, a Flora & Fauna Sculpture Hunt provides a great opportunity to learn about Florida’s native plants and animals while also appreciating the beautiful mosaic work of Tom Pitzen. If something a bit more strenuous is the goal – tennis courts, basketball courts, and a full contingent of exercise equipment are available. For those looking to picnic or relax, the park offers numerous benches throughout the park as well as four covered pavilions. One has a large grill. There is also lots of open green space for frolicking dogs and people, practicing yoga, or enjoying a pick-up game. It’s a great location for cyclists as well. North Bay City Trails connects Riviera Park to First Street NE and Weedon Island by bike. Whether you’re coming by foot or wheel, it’s a great neighborhood park.
Thanks
For more information about Riviera Bay Park or any other of St. Pete’s many parks, visit www.stpeteparksrec.org or call (727) 893-7441.
