Article By Nanette Wiser
Beaches and parks are open with social distancing precautions (wear mask; decreased capacity). Walk it off in Paradise, friends. Beaches may still be closed and some parks, but Paradise NEWS discovered dozens of hidden neighborhood hideaways and county/city parks you can enjoy. We were surprised to find the boardwalk in Clearwater Beach off limits, but found many Gulf view spots to linger and lunch. Playgrounds and parcours equipment are off limits for now, but add these jewels to your weekly wanderlust explorations.
Florida Botanical Gardens: So much to see, from blooming flowers to cacti (see our garden story this month) and we glimpsed spoonbills, water lilies and yes, a sunning alligator eyeing a turtle for lunch.
Pinellas Trail: Open for biking and walking, from Dunedin to Downtown St. Pete.
Indian Rocks Beach: Behind Villa Gallace, Aqua Prime and JD’s is a funky little boardwalk on the intracoastal where we discovered “Turkey Legs,” the photo shot by Deb Carson (and hand-colored), sneaky snook, egrets and free docks for boaters at Keegan Park. We walked the boardwalk behind Jimmy Guana’s and if were not a sultry humid day, might have tackled the Indian Rocks Bridge on Walsingham.
McGough Nature Park, Largo: Bald eagle, Harry Potter owls and hawks shelter in beautiful enclosures and the turtle pond is chock full of all species of turtles doing what they do best in spring! The alligator turtle is particularly menacing but we get a kick out of the snout on the softshell. You can walk to the intracoastal for a bird’s eye view, and maybe see a rabbit or three.
Boca Ciega Millenium Park, Seminole: Birds-eye views from the meandering trails and tower, and spectacular nature photo opps.
Walsingham Park, Largo: The dog park is open and the walk around the lake is amazing, perfect for biking and walking (no skating or skateboard), stretching from 102nd to Walsingham.
Redington Shores: Behind SeaBreeze and across from the Redington Towers is a neat little park on the intracoastal, and you can walk behind the now-closed Wells Fargo Bank into a sweet beachy neighborhood.
Redington Beach: Near City Hall is a sweet little waterfront park and butterfly garden in Friendship Park planted by the Garden Club in 2016.
Madeira Beach: We found a couple places to stroll, including City Hall past the library, ROC Park and Rec Center for a great bay view and across the Tom Stuart Causeway. Bring a book and a chair.
Treasure Island: Walk from the R Bar over the bridge to Paradise Island or on the long sidewalk in Sunset Beach. We also like Isle of Capri’s John Morroni Memorial Dog Park with fenced-in areas for large and small dogs, watering stations, double-gated security entrances, benches, large shady Live Oaks, grassland and free parking. Roselli Park on Capri Circle South and 2nd Street East, Isle of Capri, offers large shady oaks surrounding the playground and the Bill Lyons Little League Ball Field. There are free tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, a horseshoe pit, a basketball hoop, picnic tables, open green space and trail-like sidewalk. The Treasure Island Community Center Park (1 Park Place & 106th) is connected to the downtown business district with landscaped sidewalks and is home for many outdoor events with a fitness course, open green space, Veteran’s Memorial and the Causeway Bridge Historical Monument. (Remember, many of the recreation options are not open at this time.)
St. Pete Beach: So many walkable places, from Blind Pass’s McKinney Park and Colonel Michael J. Horan Park to the St. Pete Rec Center and Upham Beach sidewalk for fab views of the Gulf and Bay. Sunset views are spectacular. In Pass-A-Grille, the sidewalk on the intracoastal is great for fishing and strolling. Walk down the street to the Gulf sidewalk for a little peace of mind.
Gulfport: From the Senior Center to O’Maddy’s, the boardwalk and pier bay views are sensational and perfect for a cuppa java in the morning.
St. Petersburg: Sacred Gardens is sometimes open on Park St. and the waterfront walk from The Dali along the Pier and MFA and Vinoy offers unlimited water vistas. For information on City Parks, check www.stpete.org/parks_and_recreation/index.php.