St. Petersburg was ranked the No. 1 city for parks in Florida by the Trust for Public Land’s 2018 ParkScore index; so naturally, one of the best things about living in the Sunshine City is the accessibility to public space for recreational use.
As parents, this means we always have something fun and free to do — weather permitting — and no shortage of options when our kids need to run, climb, and play.
With 77 playgrounds and over 150 parks to choose from, many of our favorites are found south of Central Avenue. Characterized by close proximities to water, gorgeous scenery, some really entertaining playgrounds, and our favorite feature, the convenience of public restrooms, parks in south St. Petersburg are definitely worth a visit this spring.
Bay Vista Park
Located in Greater Pinellas Point, Bay Vista Park offers just what its name implies — a beautiful view of Tampa Bay and the Skyway Bridge — plus one awesome little park set under a canopy of shady trees. The unfenced playground features some unique equipment with the padded turf we all love underfoot and is close enough to the water to catch a good breeze even on a hot day. Park shelters and the indoor recreation center are available to rent making this the perfect spot for a springtime birthday party or a picnic with friends. Other amenities at Bay Vista include a boat ramp, kayak rack, and scenic observation pier. 7000 4th Street S.
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
The playground at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve is easily the most unique in the area. Designed with the setting in mind, find this natureinspired play space tucked behind the preserve’s entrance and picnic shelters (available for use on a first-come, first-served basis). The structure and its accessories are mostly made of wood with limited use of plastics and metal and encourage creative, adventurous play in the middle of the park’s characteristic woodland terrain. Access to the playground is free, but pay just a few dollars to walk the trails to see the birds of prey aviary or alligators and other wildlife around Lake Maggiore. 1101 Country Club Way S.
Dell Holmes Park
Home to the ever popular splash pad that opens on May 1st each year, Dell Holmes Park is situated along the northwest corner of panoramic Lake Maggiore. The fenced and turfed playground is enormous and includes some really exciting equipment while also offering inclusive and wheelchair-accessible options. There are several shaded tables in the play space, but it’s important to note that the playground can get very hot on sunny days — hence, the need for the splash pad next door. This park is in demand for birthday parties and other events during spring and summer so rent a shelter in advance for all of your get-together needs. 2741 22nd Street S.
Maximo Park
Go ahead and squeeze in a history lesson when you visit Maximo Park. This 70-acre Tocobaga archaeological site makes learning fun with educational signage scattered throughout the park and its 18- hole disc golf course. Near the shell-laden beach overlooking Boca Ciega Bay is the fenced and (almost) fully covered playground that is just the right size for even the littlest park-goers. Park shelters are available to rent around the playground, and a nearby observation tower allows for some nice views of the water. Sunshine Skyway Lane S. & Pinellas Point Drive S.
For a full list of St. Petersburg Parks & Recreation parks, visit http://www.stpeteparksrec.org.
