Parks
Old Seminole Heights Parks
1. Henry & Ola Park
A full-service park with a little bit of everything, including a large green space with benches at the far west end of the park. It is the beginning point for the Seminole Heights Dog Pack Walk, which occurs every Saturday at 9:30 am. There are often matches happening on the athletic fields. OSHNA’s Friends of Henry and Ola Park committee is encouraging the city’s updating of the park, which so far has included newer bathrooms, water fountains, and grills.
Amenities:
- Athletic field with bleachers
- Ball diamond with dugouts, lighting, and bleachers
- Basketball court with lighting
- Community center
- Picnic shelter with grills
- Picnic tables
- Benches
- Garbage cans
- Playground with newer equipment
- Dog clean-up station
- Bathrooms
- Water fountains
- Parking
2. Epps Park
Charming little neighborhood park that runs for about a half mile along the Hillsborough River, from West Fern Street up to the corner of N River Boulevard and W Thomas Street. The sunset views are stunning and the neighborhood vibe is “real.” The park is the midway stop for the Seminole Heights Dog Pack Walks, which start at 9:30 am every Saturday at Henry and Ola Park. Neighbors host periodic park clean ups through Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful.
Amenities:
- Picnic tables
- Benches
- Garbage cans
- Dog clean-up station
- On-street parking only
3. Riverview Terrace Park
This park is located on 4.2 acres a block south of the Hillsborough River and has Central Tampa’s only street hockey court, the Tom Oliver Memorial Outdoor Hockey Rink. In addition, there are several benches scattered about the grounds as well as two areas with swing sets. The city has a grant to improve the playground area of the park, which has already begun.
Amenities:
- Basketball court with lighting and bleachers
- Athletic field
- Street hockey court with lighting and bleachers
- Picnic shelter
- Swing sets
- Bathrooms
- Water fountain
- Garbage cans
- On-street parking only
4. Wayne C. Papy Center
The
Wayne C. Papy Athletic Center is home to the city’s award-winning dance and gymnastics teams. OSHNA assisted with funding the new covered playground area directly behind the center, which sits next to American Legion Park.
Amenities:
- Two gymnastics facilities
- Three dance studios
- A progressive training room
- Fenced-in covered playground with newer equipment
- Picnic tables
- Benches
- Garbage cans
- Water fountains
- Lots of parking
5. American Legion Park
A very active park whose ball diamond, basketball court, and volleyball court are rarely empty. The park also has a large playground with different equipment for spaced-out play. Located next to the Wayne C. Papy Athletic Center.
Amenities:
- Ball diamond with dugouts, lighting, and bleachers
- Basketball court with bleachers
- Large playground with newer equipment
- Volleyball courts with lighting
- Picnic tables
- Benches
- Garbage cans
- Water fountains
- Portable toilets
- Parking
6. Seminole Heights Garden Center
A lovely little park with green space, a play area, and nice landscaping. The brick building, which holds 80-100 people, can be rented from the city and is a popular venue for weddings and other events. This is a peaceful, quiet park, more for strolling and having a picnic as there are no sports facilities.
Amenities:
- Community center with bathrooms
- Water fountain
- Benches
- Free Little Library
- Garbage cans
- Dog clean-up station
- Small play area
- Parking
7. Angus Goss Park
This park has green space on Central Avenue and a dog park that borders I-275, with grass (not turf) and a four-foot fence so dogs can run around off leash. The dog park is not divided into small and large dog sides, only having one play place. A large oak tree shades the picnic tables.
Amenities:
- Picnic tables
- Benches
- Dog clean-up station
- Garbage cans
- Water fountains for dogs and people
- Parking
8. Lake Roberta
Lake Roberta has become a gathering place for ducks, turtles, and even geese. Hawks have been sited and an occasional spoonbill makes a visit. Most days you also can find people walking or biking with their dogs or children. On a nice day, visitors will spread their blankets and enjoy the peace of the water. The city recently completed a lake renewal to improve the water quality and striped a walkway around the lake to keep walkers and bike riders safe. Surrounded by Lake Roberta Circle, those who live across from the lake often decorate according to the seasons.
Amenities:
- Dog clean-up station
- On-street parking only
9. McDugald Park
This large park occupies two-thirds of a neighborhood block, offering ample green space and opportunities for multiple activities and groups to gather simultaneously. While there are plenty of shaded spots under grand oak trees, the park is unobstructed by building shadows, making it particularly sunny. The city is currently converting one ball field into four volleyball courts with bleacher seating, and plans to add four more courts next year.
Amenities:
- Athletic field with bleachers
- Ball diamond with dugouts, lights, and bleachers
- Playground with newer equipment
- Bathrooms
- Picnic tables
- Benches
- Garbage cans
- Lots of parking
10. Patterson Street Park
Situated along the Hillsborough River, this quaint neighborhood park is tucked among shady oaks and homes, making it a nice spot to take a stroll or bring the family. A small creek runs through one side to the river. The bench near the creek was created by local glass artist Susan Gott and funded by OSHNA.
Amenities:
- Playground with newer equipment
- Picnic tables
- Benches
- Garbage cans
- Free Little Library
- Dog clean-up station
- On-street parking only
11. Park Circle Park
This small fenced-in pocket park is nestled between homes along the Hillsborough River with mostly green space. The park has some planters along the sidewalk outside the entrance and one inside. There is also a large oak tree near the river and picnic table.
Amenities:
- Picnic table
- Dog clean-up station
- On-street parking only
12. Alan Wright Park
This is a little gem of a pocket park along the Hillsborough River. Its most charming elements are a small spring and an arched bridge. The bridge came from the old Lowry Park Zoo and is positioned along the river and over the spring. The landscaping is pretty with colorful flowers and other plants. If you’re lucky, you might spot a Muscovey duck, or maybe even an alligator, while standing on the little bridge. There is a mural painted on the street at the entrance.
Amenities:
- Picnic tables
- Benches
- Garbage cans
- Dog clean-up station
- On-street parking only
13. 22nd Street Park/Ed Lopez Park
Established in 2012, this park has a
disc golf course that borders the Hillsborough River. The mature trees contribute to the serenity and beauty of the park, and add challenges for disc golf players. There are nine concrete tees that can be played twice, for a total of 18 holes. It also has large open grassy space between the course and the ball field.
Amenities:
- Ball diamond with dugouts, lights, and bleachers
- 9-hole disc golf course
- Picnic tables
- Portable toilets
- Dog clean-up station
- Garbage cans
- Parking
14. Rogers Park Golf Course
Believe it or not, Old Seminole Heights extends all the way to
Rogers Park, where you can find the historic golf course built in 1952 by and for the city’s African-American residents during the segregation era. Spread over 160 acres, the 18-hole course is surrounded by the Hillsborough River on three sides. It is home to
First Tee Tampa Bay, a youth development organization that teaches the sport to young people.
Amenities:
- Golf course
- Snack bar
- Pro shop
- Driving range
- Putting green
- Water fountains
- Bathrooms
- Garbage cans
- Parking
15. Blackwater Hammock Park
A hidden gem nestled between the Hillsborough River and Rogers Park Golf Course at the far eastern boundary of Old Seminole Heights, the park has heavily shaded open space and a quarter-mile walking loop through hardwood hammock vegetation at its north end.
Amenities:
- Picnic tables
- Benches
- Garbage cans
- On-street parking only
