The following parks and trails are free and open dawn to dusk unless otherwise indicated.
A.L. ANDERSON PARK, 39699 U.S. 19 N., Tarpon Springs (727-943-4085). This 129-acre site features a boardwalk and nature trail, boat ramp, playground, picnic shelter and restrooms.
BOYD HILL NATURE PARK, 1101 Country Club Way S., St. Petersburg (727-893-7326). This 245-acre area consists of group camping, picnic and playground facilities, although the focus of the park continues to be the nature trail and environmental education study center and library. Open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Tues.-Thurs.; 9 a.m.-.6 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun. Trail admission is $2 for ages 18 and older, $1 for ages 3-17.
BOCA CIEGA MILLENIUM PARK, 12410 74th Ave. N., Seminole (727-588-4882). At the entrance to this 184-acre park is the Pinellas County Millennium Time Capsule. Other amenities include an observation tower, a canoe launch, picnic shelters, restrooms and bicycle/pedestrian paths. The park's marshy layout has its environmental benefits as well: The five ponds on the park property serve to treat storm water runoff and hydrate the wetlands before moving on to Boca Ciega Bay. Open 7 a.m. to dark.
BROOKER CREEK PRESERVE and BROOKER CREEK PRESERVE ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH CENTER, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs (727-453-6800). This 8,500-acre wilderness preserve is located in northeastern Pinellas. Trails for hikers and horseback riders are open to the public, and volunteers offer two-hour organized hikes beginning at 9 a.m. on Sat. Tour size is limited; call 727-453-6910 to reserve a spot and get directions.
DADE BATTLEFIELD STATE HISTORIC SITE, 7200 C.R. 603, South Battlefield Drive, exit 63 off I-75 (352-793-4781). This site marks one of the bloodiest battles of the nation's Indian Wars during the 1800s. A museum contains artifacts and exhibits about the battle; the surrounding park features horseshoe and volleyball courts, a picnic ground, and a large rental hall and kitchen. Camping is not allowed. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset; the museum, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $2 per car.
EUREKA SPRINGS PARK, 6400 Eureka Springs Road, Tampa (813-744-5536). This 38-acre botanical park features a greenhouse, trellised walks, interpretive trails and a picnic area. The prime attraction remains the large collection of rare and unusual plant life collected and nurtured by the late Albert Greenburg, who donated the property to the county over a quarter-century ago. Open 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
FRED HOWARD PARK, 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs (727-943-4081). This 155-acre bayside park offers fishing, swimming, playground activities, sheltered picnic area, and a ball field with restrooms and shower facilities. Open 7 a.m.-sunset.
HILLSBOROUGH RIVER STATE PARK, 15402 U.S. 301 N., Thonotosassa (813-987-6771). This 3,738-acre park follows a good stretch of the Hillsborough River and offers visitors a deep glimpse into the charm of old Florida. Native flora and fauna — including alligators — abound in this area and are easily spotted by the quiet seeker. Canoe rentals ($8 per hour/$20 for four) and two large camping sites make this a popular, sometimes crowded destination. $4 gate entry fee per carload (up to eight people).
HONEYMOON ISLAND STATE PARK, One Causeway Blvd., Dunedin (727-469-5942). One of the few northern barrier islands accessible by car in Pinellas, Honeymoon Island features a popular beach and nature trail, plus facilities for fishing and picnicking. Open 8 a.m.-sunset. Admission is $5 per carload (up to eight people).
J.B. STARKEY'S FLATWOODS ADVENTURES, 12959 S.R. 54, Odessa (813-926-1133 or 877-734-WILD). Discover the ecosystems and wildlife found at the Anclote River ranch via a two-hour buggy tour. Learn about the history of Odessa, the Starkey family and cattle ranching. Open 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. The tour includes a walk through a cypress swamp and is $17.75 for adults, $16.75 for seniors and $10 for ages 3-12.
JOHN CHESNUT SR. PARK, 2200 Eastlake Road, Palm Harbor (727-669-1951). This 255-acre park on the eastern shore of Lake Tarpon features a canoe trail, a playground, a fishing pier, a volleyball court and a softball field. Formerly known as Brooker Creek Park, Chesnut Park is entirely separate from Brooker Creek Preserve; a golf course is wedged between the two. Open 7 a.m.-dark.
JOHN S. TAYLOR PARK, 1100 Eighth Ave. S.W., Largo (727-588-4847). Surrounding the Taylor Reservoir and Lake, this 122-acre park offers boating, fishing, exercise trails, ball fields, a playground and a disk golf course. A sheltered picnic area with restrooms is available, and there's also an entrance to Pinellas Trail from the park. Open 7 a.m. to dark daily.
LAKE PARK, 17302 N. Dale Mabry, Lutz (813-264-3806). This 600-acre park boasts five lakes, a cypress swamp, and several pine and hardwood stands. In addition to fishing and boating, recreational opportunities include a BMX track, a radio-control car track, archery range, horse arena, picnic shelters and equestrian facilities. Open 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
LAKE SEMINOLE PARK, 10015 Park Blvd. (74th Ave. N.), Seminole (727-549-6156). Bordering the eastern shore of Lake Seminole, this park offers boating facilities, fishing areas, volleyball courts, jogging/exercise trails, playground facilities and sheltered picnic areas. Leashed pets welcome. Open 7 a.m. to dark.
LETTUCE LAKE PARK, 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa (813-987-6204). This 240-acre riverside park offers a scenic boardwalk, fitness and biking trails, and an observation tower for bird watching. This is a very popular, often crowded destination. Open 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.
LITHIA SPRINGS PARK, 3902 Lithia Springs Road, Lithia; 10 miles east of Brandon (813-744-5572). This Hillsborough County park sits on the Alafia River and offers overnight camping (water, electricity), fishing, canoeing (but no canoe rentals) and swimming. Food is sold in the picnic area, while a bathhouse makes even a quick dip in the cool spring waters quite convenient. Open 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
MAXIMO PARK, 34th Street and Pinellas Point Drive, St. Petersburg (727-893-7335). At the tip of the Pinellas peninsula, this 70-acre waterfront park meets the shores of both Tampa Bay and the mouth of Frenchman's Creek. The park offers excellent boating and fishing opportunities, as well as historical and environmental points of interest. The beach area includes picnic and playground facilities.
MOCCASIN LAKE NATURE PARK, 2750 Park Trail Lane (off Drew Street, east of U.S. 19), Clearwater (727-462-6024). This park offers 50 acres of wooded area, a large educational facility with nature classes, and sheltered picnic facilities. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. and Sun.
MYAKKA RIVER STATE PARK, 13207 S.R. 72, Sarasota (941-361-6511). Fifty-eight square miles of wilderness constitute one of Florida's oldest and largest state parks. Developed in the '30s, many of the historical buildings (including five rental log cabins) are still in use. Guided tours, bikes, kayaks and canoes are all available for a fee. You may need to use all of them, too; with 39 miles of trails, there is a lot of ground to cover here. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Fri., and 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Admission is $8 for adults, $4 for ages 6-12, and free for those younger.
PHILIPPE PARK, 2525 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor (727-669-1947). Named for Count Odet Philippe, who introduced citrus culture to Florida, this 122-acre park is one of the prettiest in the area. It offers a boat ramp, fishing, picnic facilities, a nature trail, two playgrounds and ball fields with restrooms. Part of the original Philippe plantation, the park also claims a large Indian mound, where one can sometimes find old arrowheads, implements and other artifacts left from the earliest natives of the Bay area. There's also a great view from the top of the mound. Open 7 a.m.-dark.
PINELLAS TRAIL, 12020 Walsingham Road, Largo (727-549-6099). Converted from an unused railroad corridor, this 34-mile paved trail is a favorite among hikers, bikers, skaters and more. The trail begins in St. Petersburg and winds northward through Largo, Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs. The trail includes mile markers, water fountains, benches and other various amenities.
SAWGRASS LAKE PARK, 7400 25th St. N., St. Petersburg (727-217-7256). This site boasts nearly 400 acres of natural land that encompass both Sawgrass and Arrow lakes. The park features a boardwalk/nature trail, an outdoor classroom, environmental education center, and lots of trees and squirrels. Picnic facilities and restrooms are also available. Open 7 a.m.-dusk daily.
SHELL KEY PRESERVE, located at the southern end of Pass-A-Grille Channel (727- 464-4761). Each year, thousands of birds take refuge on this 180-acre barrier island/preservation area. Natural features include mud flats, mangrove islands and seabed flats. Don't forget to bring sanitary supplies if you decide to go camping here, because there are none located near the campsites.
UPPER TAMPA BAY PARK, 8001 Double Branch Road, Tampa (813-855-1765). This 2,144-acre park includes an environmental study center jointly operated by the county Parks Department and Hillsborough Community College. The site includes brackish and saltwater marshes, oyster bars and a mangrove forest — viewable from a boardwalk. Though most of the area is preserved, three nature trails, a playground and picnicking facilities are available. Open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WALSINGHAM PARK, 12615 102nd Ave. N., Largo (727-549-6142). Split by a 100-acre lake, this 350-acre park features boat launches and parking for boat trailers, as well as six picnic shelters, restrooms and playgrounds. The park is partially landscaped with sidewalks through the magnolia, pine and oak trees. Open 7 a.m.-dark.
WEEDON ISLAND PRESERVE, 1500 Weedon Drive, St. Petersburg (727-579-8360). A half-dozen surrounding islands complement this 3,164-acre shore preserve. Mangroves, birds and abundant sea life make Weedon most popular with nature watchers, though visitors also enjoy fishing from the preserve's pier. For info on guided hikes, call 727-453-6500. Open 7 a.m.-sunset.
This article appears in May 10-16, 2006.