The boardwalk in Boca Ciega Millennium Park provides easy access to wildlife viewing.
Accessible Parks in St. Pete-Clearwater
St. Pete-Clearwater is filled with a wide range of parks, from urban greenspaces fronting Tampa Bay to more natural expanses with abundant wildlife. Read this guide to discover accessible parks all across the area.
Suggestions from an Expert
Beth Stombaugh is passionate about the outdoors. Indeed, on any given day, you might find this resident of Gulfport, Florida, visiting local greenspaces to indulge in her hobby of wildlife photography. Beth has also been a manual wheelchair user all her life and is an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. This first-hand knowledge of accessibility issues made her the perfect person to report on accessibility at local parks and beaches throughout St. Pete/Clearwater, a project she undertook in spring 2022. Before retiring and moving to Florida, Beth taught special education in Ohio for 24 years.
Don’t miss our guides to Accessible Beaches, Museum Accessibility and Attraction Accessibility – other projects that Beth contributed to.
Beth’s Top Picks
When we asked Beth to name some of her favorite parks, it was hard for her to narrow them down. We have so many wonderful parks! Eventually, five rose to the top of her list: Largo Central Park Nature Preserve in Largo, Fort De Soto Park in Tierra Verde, Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs, plus Crescent Lake Park and Sawgrass Lake Park, both in St. Pete. The reasons for her choices included long boardwalks through diverse ecosystems, plenty of wildlife sightings and wheelchair-accessible overlooks, picnic tables, parking and bathrooms.
Find links to three stories about accessibility in St. Pete-Clearwater parks below, arranged by geography.
Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Oldsmar & Safety Harbor
Look for wildlife along the Osprey Trail in Honeymoon Island State Park.
Look for wildlife along the Osprey Trail in Honeymoon Island State Park.
Explore parks along the coast with easily accessible Gulf and bay views views, or head inland to wander through expansive wildlife refuges.
Clearwater, Largo & Seminole
Largo Central Park Nature Preserve has accessible boardwalks and paved trails. Photo: Beth Stombaugh
Largo Central Park Nature Preserve has accessible boardwalks and paved trails. Photo: Beth Stombaugh
Discover recreational areas with paved trails, wildlife sanctuaries with raised boardwalks and a rail trail that links several communities.
St. Pete, Gulfport & Tierra Verde
Beth Stombaugh enjoys photographing nature in Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Pete.
Beth Stombaugh enjoys photographing nature in Boyd Hill Nature Preserve in St. Pete.
Enjoy up-close views of Tampa Bay from a string of waterfront parks, get lost in nature along shaded boardwalks or stretch out on miles of paved trails near award-winning beaches.