Willis S. Johns Recreation Center (Fossil Park)

Willis S. Johns Center, within Fossil Park, is located in an active Northeast part of St. Petersburg. The park was named for the large number of Indian artifacts and fossils on the property. Look for the Fossil Wall which is made up of clay squares with assorted sharks teeth, toys, plants and other fossils imprinted into the squares. The recreation center contains a skate park, pool, two outdoor basketball courts, six tennis courts, four baseball fields and a fitness trail. The 12,500 square foot center is a busy hub with a large selection of classes including dance, karate, gymnastics, language and the long-time running adult exercise classes, to mention a few. It houses a 6700 square foot gymnasium with a full size basketball court and two studio rooms that can be rented out by the general public for events. The center was named in 1971 in honor of Colonel Willis S. Johns, USAF Ret in recognition of his contributions to the community in the Meadowlawn area.