Touring Lake Seminole Park in central Pinellas County Florida is fine way to get to get away for a day. The park features a two mile multi use trail through the woods and around a small lake. The wide paved trail is ideal for hiking, rollerblading, biking, running or for those walking and bird watching. There is a return path provided at the one mile point for folks not wanting to complete the entire trail. The trail runs one way only with designated lanes sorted by speed from walkers to bikers. Motorized vehicles are not allowed. There are several large play grounds for kids of various ages, a ball field and a volleyball court. The thirteen picnic shelters that can be reserved on a first come first served basis up to one year in advance. One shelter extends out over a lake and there is an arched wooden foot bridge over a creek that is popular for weddings and birthdays.
Learn About Nature First Hand
A new pier on Lake Seminole has been constructed at just over the half mile marker off the hiking trail. Ideally located for bird watching, the pier is in shallow water and gives the naturalist a spectacular view of Lake Seminole and surrounding forest flat lands. Watch Ospreys and Bald Eagles snatch fish out of the lake as they dive out of the sky while a flock of White Ibis stalk their prey among the reeds. Great Blue Herons roost high in the slash pines on a new island in an interior lake. Armadillos and Gopher Turtles along with many bird species call this park home. Alligators are common and can be aggressive. Pets and small children should not be allowed to linger near shore of any body of fresh water.
Boating on Lake Seminole
Lake Seminole was created by a weir dam at the northern end of Boca Ciega Bay to accommodate Park Blvd, a major East/ West traffic corridor. Oriented on a north south axis the narrow lake and shallows afford a place for fishermen, kayakers, sailors and jet skiers. Along the private west shore of the lake ultra light aircraft can seen using the lake as a run way.
The floating double dock boat ramp is well maintained and launching is easy with a parking lot close by. Motorized vessels are allowed on the lake however the lake is really too small for a vessel over 20 feet. Sailing on Lake Seminole can be challenging in the mid to southern part of the lake due to the jet skis, boats and ultra light aircraft traffic. The northern reaches of the lake, while mostly outside the park limits provide a better area to sail. Kayak and canoe launching takes place adjacent to the boat ramp.
The southern portion of the lake, next to noisy Park Boulevard, has become something of a haven for jet skiers. There is a boat ramp of sorts on the southwestern portion of the main boat ramp parking lot. The sand ramp is just wide enough to launch a Jet Ski or very small boat.
Important Park Information
Due to budget cuts the rest rooms are only open during weekends and holidays. The park has no entry fee at this time, however all Pinellas County boat ramps charge a $7.00 fee to use the boat ramp and trailer parking. A discounted annual pass is available. Lake Seminole Park is open 7:00 a.m until sunset all year. Camping, swimming or over night parking is not available.
Few parks satisfy the needs of so many people without compromise as well as Lake Seminole Park. Although over a million people visit the park annually Lake Seminole Park maintains a sense of serenity and natural beauty in an urban setting.
Matt Maloy - Matt Maloy, writer, artist and photographer has been sailing small boats for nearly thirty years. Based in Largo Florida, he chronicles ...
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