FIT4MOM Favs: 10 of Our Favorite Tampa Parks
We love our playgrounds and parks in Tampa! Here is our list of our top 10 favorites in Tampa and some benefits.
Benefits of playgrounds:
🤸It improves children's physical ability - Playgrounds allow the children to play and it improves their balance and coordination.
🗣️It helps develop speech - The opportunity that kids have to interact with others in the playground enhances speech development and communication skills.
⏱️Playgrounds build children's patience - Spending time on a playground teaches children to wait their turn without complaining, an important life skill.
🏅It helps kids overcome challenges - Playgrounds teach children how to problem-solve.
🌟Orderly chaos - Research reveals that children with the freedom to play, grow to become happier and well-adjusted adults.
Anderson Park
We may be a little biased here because this is home of our weekly Stroller Strides classes, but Anderson Park is a community staple with shaded playgrounds so kids can play comfortably even during sunny days along with a splash pad to cool off. It's also just a block's walk to Hyde Park Village for some food and shopping or Bayshore Blvd for some exercise with a great view!
Location: 821 S Rome Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Ballast Point Park
Overlooking Hillsborough Bay, Ballast Point Park offers not just a playground a beautiful pier for families to walk and enjoy the views. It also has a trail to walk, splash pad, and a separate smaller playground for little ones to play safely.
Location: 5300 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
We love this park and the great views, especially in the summer when kids can cool off in the fountains or we can take a break in the AC at the museums! It's open with plenty of green space located right on the riverwalk and attached to Glazer Children's Museum and the Tampa Art Museum.
Location: 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park
Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park is located along the Hillsborough River with beautiful views, a newer playground and the most fun splash pad for cooling off during the summer months. It also has tennis and pickleball courts along with plenty of green space and trails to run!
Location: 1001 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
MacFarlane Park
Another one of our favorite workout spots, MacFarlane Park offers a lot of shade for the hot months and Freedom Playground, built to be more accessible to all children. The park also includes a 1.2-mile shaded trail, shuffleboard, and a Senior Center.
Location: 1700 N MacDill Ave. Tampa, FL 33607
Al Lopez Park
Located in the heart of Tampa, Al Lopez Park has multiple playgrounds with equipment suitable for various ages. It has plenty of shaded areas to hide from the sun and a long trail for walking, running, and biking.
Location: 4810 N Himes Ave, Tampa, FL 33614
Picnic Island Park
A hidden gem at the tip of the Gandy peninsula, this park includes beach access, a dog beach, and multiple playground areas along with lots of space to run around.
Location: 7404 Picnic Island Blvd, Tampa, FL 33616
Cypress Point Park
This park also offers beach vibes with out all of the effort of going to the regular beaches, with a beachside playground, paddleboarding, disc golf, and a running trail.
Location: 5620 W Cypress St. Tampa, FL 33607
Water Works Park
We love this park located close to Ulele and Armature Works so you can get lunch, walk the Riverwalk, and cool down at the splash park! There's also a fenced dog park attached and often events happening at the park.
Location: 1701 N Highland Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
Lowry Park Trail
Located directly across from ZooTampa, we love to host workouts here and stop in the zoo after! This scenic park is great for picnicking and has a trail that wanders along the Hillsborough River & through a oak forest. Park amenities include picnic tables, shelters, restrooms, fishing docks, a canoe and boat launch, and grills.
Location: 7525 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33604