Though it's located in Thonotosassa, only about 20 minutes from downtown Tampa, Morris Bridge Park feels like you've entered a distant wilderness. Recreational activities include bicycling, canoeing, fishing and hiking. I love walking the very short (0.25-mile) nature trail that circles a small island located in the Hillsborough River. Most of all, I love paddling around the river and seeing alligators, herons, turtles and various other critters big and small. 13330 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa.
This article appears in Sep 20-26, 2012.