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St. Pete/Clearwater, known as the home for America's Top Rated beaches, adds another #1 beach. Fort De Soto Park has been named America's top beach for 2009 by TripAdvisor, the world's largest online travel community. Check it out, as well as other top rated standouts.
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You Are Here: Home » Things to Do » Nature and Parks » Park Listings »
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39699 U.S. Hwy. 19 N.
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
727-943-4085
Boating, scenic views and access to Lake Tarpon are highlights of this park. Play in wooded areas, hike nature trails, have a picnic, or romp on the playground. A dog park and public boat ramp are also available. For shelter reservations go to www.pinellascounty.org/park and select the link to make your reservation on line with a credit card or call 727.453.3171.
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Three miles off the coast of Tarpon Springs
Dunedin, FL 34698
727-469-5942
Accessible only by private boat, this island park has a lighthouse and wildlife area that is a sanctuary for rare and endangered species. Accessible only by private boat, this island park has a lighthouse and wildlife area that is a sanctuary for rare and endangered species.
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591 Tom Stuart Cswy.
Madeira Beach, FL 33708
727-391-9951
727-399-3311
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12410 74th Ave. N.
Seminole, FL 33772-4917
727-588-4882
In this park, a 35 foot wooden observation tower offers a panoramic view of Boca Ciega Bay. A wide variety of birds flock to this designated "Great Florida Birding Trail" park bursting with nature-canopied boardwalks and a special bird viewing area. Visitors can fish off piers, launch a canoe or kayak, or enjoy a picnic under shelter. The parks also has a covered barrier-free playground for kids and a dog park for small and large dogs.
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1101 Country Club Way S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
727-893-7326
Boyd Hill is 245 acres of pristine Florida wilderness. The park is one of the region's least discovered yet most remarkable natural habitats, with its five distinct eco-systems situated in the state's most densely populated county. Miles of trails meander through hardwood hammocks, sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, willow marsh and the Lake Maggiore shoreline. As part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Great Florida Birding Trail, Boyd Hill is a haven for even the most seasoned birder. There is also a new environmental center with permanent and roving diplays portraying native florida.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year round, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Fees: Adults (18+): $2; children (3-17): $1. Tram tours $1 plus trail admission.
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3940 Keystone Rd.
Tarpon Springs, FL 34688-7820
727-453-6800
A $9 million Environmental Education Center opened in 2004 at Brooker Creek Preserve in Tarpon Springs. The center is set in a 8,500-acre preserve northeast of Clearwater and features 6,000 square feet of exhibits including an object theater, where holographic residents from the area’s past step off the screen to teach about the history of the area, a scaled up version of a gopher tortoise burrow that kids and adults can climb through and explore and an interactive exhibit showing the lifecycle of the surrounding wetlands through the year. The preserve offers free nature hikes on weekends and features a scenic six-mile horseback trail. the Preserve also has a series of boardwalks and hiking trails enabling residents, school groups and visitors to enjoy the many natural habitats available on this pristine piece of land including animals, birds, plants and wildflowers.
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#1 Causeway Blvd.
Dunedin, FL 34698
727-469-5918
Lay of the Land: One of the few pristine barrier islands along Florida's Gulf Coast, this---the #1 Beach in the U.S.---is accessible only by boat. While on the ferry from Honeymoon Island you can spot dolphins and osprey while learning about the history of the area. The island features abundant wildlife, a ranger station, boat docks, beach and kayak rentals, mangrove kayak trails and even a concession stand offering beer and wine.
Little Known Facts: Caladesi was once part of one large island called Hog Island after the hogs that a pioneer family raised there. A book about the key, "Yesteryear, I lived in Paradise," by Myrtle Scharrer Betz, daughter of the first homesteader, is available on Amazon.com.
Why You Should Go: Caladesi Island was named America's #1 Beach in 2008, #2 Beach in 2006 and 2007 by Dr. Beach. Do you need any other reason?
*Please note there is an entry fee to the park which is included in the price of the ferry boat ticket. See the park's website for more details.
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601 14th St. S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33705-1906
727-892-5224
727-893-7343
Houses a recreation center, gym, public swimming pool, athletic fields and several annual festivals.
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Off 29th Ave. South in the Marina
Gulfport, FL 33707
727-709-4658
Clam Bayou Nature Park is located south of 29 th Avenue South, on Miriam Street. It plays an important role in the Clam Bayou Estuary of Boca Ciega Bay. This nature park/estuary provides several environments; from the upland natural vegetation, marsh and mangrove forests, to the deeper waters of Boca Ciega Bay. These areas provide habitat and food to a variety of species such as fiddler crabs, clams, wading birds, small animals, dolphins and manatees; to name a few.
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5501 27th Ave. S.
Gulfport, FL 33707-5553
727-893-1067
Gallery showcases with street musicians & complimentary refreshments on the first Friday & third Saturday of each month.
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