Located on Tampa Bay is the 258-acre E.G. Simmons Park, a Hillsborough County conservation park. A mangrove swamp (that is a bird and wildlife sanctuary) covers about 200-acres of the park.
Parking near the beach, we followed the path past several covered picnic shelters to check it out (no pets allowed). It is a lovely (700-foot) beach along Tampa Bay.
We set out on the hiking trail (leashed pets permitted). The trail wanders through the mangrove swamp to Manatee Bay. Our sweet doggie, Sadie, was thrilled to go for a swim in the calm water.
Fishing from piers and from the shore are popular activities in the park. Some also enjoy canoeing/kayaking through the waterways here.
This clever osprey had captured his lunch and found the perfect forked branch of a mangrove to secure the fish for snacking.
On our way to the boat launch, John found this beautiful intact lightning whelk. It’s the largest one we have found in nature! The park sponsors a children’s life-jacket loaning program to support safe boating. Near the boat launch area are docks for visiting boaters.
As we were returning to the parking area, we passed this nice playground.
This is a lovely place to spend the day with family and friends. Some of the shelters can be reserved (at www.HCFLGov.net/parks). The rest are first come, first served. The entry fee is only $2/vehicle (boat launch is $5, and canoe rental is $25/four hours). A campground (100+ sites) is also available at this park (water and electric hookups).
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