We had some gorgeous weather over the long weekend! I made the most of it by spending a lot of time outside. Between old favorites and new discoveries, I got a lot of park time in; if you’re looking for a great park to stroll around and soak in the sunshine, look no further.
Crescent Lake Park in St. Pete
Open 30 minutes before sunrise and closes at 11:00 PM
We took the dude to Crescent Lake Park on Thursday, and it was bopping. Now that the sun isn’t setting quite as early, we clearly weren’t the only folks trying to fit in some time outside after work! There was a nice path that looped us around the lake and by the pickleball courts – just what you’d want for a walk or run – and a perfect playground for the kiddo to run (and crawl) around. It’s an awesome spot for a quick outing with the family!
Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in Port Richey
Open 8:00 AM and closes at sunset
On Sunday, I packed up the little guy and met my mom at Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park for a late morning activity. I have easily driven by this park dozens of times, but since it’s located between Gulf View Square Mall and Walmart, it’s easy to miss. We took advantage of my mom’s Florida state parks pass (more on that here) and got exploring. Pay attention to the trail markers though – we got a little lost and ended up hopping a fence to leave…
Violet Cury Preserve in Lutz
Opens at sunrise and closes at sunset
After checking in on our new house and grabbing brunch at Brunchies on Monday, Tyler and I had some time left to ourselves. A quick look at Google Maps told us that Violet Cury Preserve was well-reviewed and nearby, so we headed out. The preserve doesn’t have its own parking lot (you have to park along the fence), but don’t let that stop you from visiting. It was quiet and peaceful, offering wide trails and plenty of shade for a wonderful hour or two outside.
This weekend we also spent quite a bit of time at Lealman Neighborhood Park in St. Pete. While this park isn’t nearly as impressive as the others, its playground is perfect for a little kid to climb all over the place, and it’s generally not too crowded. We try to take our son over a few times a week to get him some fresh air and tucker him out before it’s time to nap! Other strong playground options are Julian B Lane Riverfront Park in Tampa and Wesley Chapel District Park in Wesley Chapel, though they’re definitely more popular.
Looking to go a little further south? I love Myakka River State Park and Oscar Scherer State Park, which are about an hour outside of Tampa Bay.