St. Pete Parks ranked 14th Best in the Country

St. Pete Parks ranked as the 14th Best system in the Entire Country

The 2022 ParkScore rankings are in and St. Pete has ranked number 14 in the U.S. for park systems by the Trust for Public Land!

St. Petersburg's parks are marvels of nature that provide locals with an opportunity to observe Florida's fantastic wildlife, and to learn about their relationship to the natural world.

The ParkScore index ranking is based on five characteristics: access, acreage, amenities, equity, and investment. According to The Trust for Public Land, 77% of residents live within a 10 minute walk to a park. 

Approximately 14% of St. Petersburg city land is used for parks and recreation. The city itself scored 82% for park access equity, and 87% for investment.

These are some of the top local parks in St. Pete:

Vinoy Park - If you have nowhere to be and time to kill, take a stroll through Vinoy Park. Walk down towards the water and have a seat on the sea wall. If you wait down there, you’re sure to see dolphins swimming through! There is a play area for kids and plenty of space to relax and enjoy the waterfront view.

Lassing Park - Located in Old Southeast, Lassing Park is the perfect quiet park to take a peaceful walk and unwind. It is the perfect spot for a picnic on the water because of the large field that overlooks the bay. 

Weedon Island - Weedon Island offers the perfect shady walking trail. This park is perfect for those who like the view but aren’t necessarily adventurous because the walking paths are very clearly marked. We recommend walking one of the trails and then sitting in the gazebo. 

Crescent Lake - Crescent Lake is the perfect walking place in the Crescent Lake Neighborhood area. With a sidewalk around the perimeter of the lake, you can walk side by side with nature. For the dog-owners out there, Crescent Lake also has a dog park area that is gated off and secure for your little buddy to freely run around.

Boyd Hill Preserve - The lake at the heart of the preserve, Lake Maggiore, is approximately 380 acres and supports a large local wildlife. Hammock's and beautiful forest area. 

Sawgrass Lake - Sawgrass Lake Park is one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The park has both a mile-long boardwalk and a half-mile dirt trail. If you look closely, you are sure to see herons, egrets, ibis, wood storks, alligators and turtles along the canals and lakes.

Flora Wiley - This park has over 11 acres of bike trails, walking paths and scenic landscapes to explore. Located on the St. Pete waterfront, this park is always lively. You can almost always expect to run into a pick up game of soccer or kickball. 

Maximo Park - The views at Maximo Park are stellar but what makes it stand out to us is the disc golf course. There’s no better way to start a morning than with sunshine, a cool breeze and a few rounds of frisbee golf. The 70-acre park also features playground, boat ramps, an Indian Midden site and paintings by artist Hermann Trappman.

Abercrombie Park - The park is located in the Jungle Terrace neighborhood and offers a relaxing and serene area to enjoy with family and friends. You will also find picnic tables, a boardwalk, scenic views to watch the sunset, and a historic Indian midden.

Clam Bayou Nature Preserve  - Clam Bayou Nature Preserve is a great destination for avid kayakers or paddlers and nature enthusiast. It also offers recreation trails and the Blueways Trail System. You can connect to both the Skyway Trail and the Pinellas Trail on foot or by bike from here.