Information
Landmark: Al Lopez ParkCity: Tampa
Country: USA Florida
Continent: North America
Al Lopez Park, Tampa, USA Florida, North America
Overview
Al Lopez Park ranks among Tampa’s biggest and busiest green spaces, with ball fields, shady trails, and plenty of lush scenery to enjoy.Just off the corner of Himes Avenue and Martin Luther King Jr.Boulevard, this 132-acre park buzzes with weekend soccer games, festivals, and neighbors gathering under the shade of tall oaks.The park’s easy to reach, open daily from sunrise until the last streak of gold fades, and packed with amenities for every age and interest.Let’s take a closer look at everything Al Lopez Park offers, from shady picnic spots to winding trails.Cordelia B. offers recreation and fitness options, from quiet morning yoga to the steady rhythm of treadmill runs.Hunt Community Center welcomes park visitors with a mix of indoor activities, from art classes to a sunlit reading room.Inside, you’ll find a fitness room with treadmills humming quietly, ellipticals, spin bikes, and a rack of free weights.If you’re in the mood for something different, the center offers a computer lab humming with screens, a cozy craft room, a lively game room, and a flexible multi‑purpose space.The center offers a welcoming spot for community events, lively classes, and friendly get‑togethers-sometimes with the smell of fresh coffee drifting through the room.They’re open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and on Fridays they close a little earlier-6 p.m., just as the streetlights start to glow.The center shuts its doors every Sunday, leaving the hall quiet and still.Fitness Trails: The park features a smooth, 1.2‑mile paved loop, 15 feet across and lit so well you can see the glint of your shoes at night-perfect for walking, running, cycling, or rollerblading whenever you feel like it.This trail’s great if you want to break a sweat and take in the fresh scent of pine while you’re out in the open air.There’s a nature trail tucked along the park’s northeastern edge, where the path winds past tall pines.Tucked beneath a canopy of quiet pines, this trail feels far removed from the city, giving you a peaceful retreat without ever crossing its limits.It’s perfect if you’re after a peaceful place to stroll or watch finches dart between the trees.Along the trails, you’ll spot sturdy VitaCourse stations-pull-up bars, balance beams, and more-set up as part of the park’s fitness circuit.Each station offers gear and clear guidance for a range of workouts, so it’s perfect for anyone wanting to shake up their routine-whether that means lifting a kettlebell or stretching on a mat.From heavy lifts to slow, deliberate stretches, these stations have everything you need for a complete head‑to‑toe workout.Step two, keep the rhythm shifting-some lines short, others with a bit more stretch.Among the park’s highlights is a wooden fishing dock that stretches over a clear freshwater pond, offering anglers a peaceful place to cast a line and watch the ripples spread.Wooden railings line the dock, with benches set in the shade, inviting you to sit, watch a heron glide over the water, and share the quiet with family or friends.As they cast their lines, visitors can take in the lush green banks and watch herons glide low over the park’s ponds.Three.At Al Lopez Park, you’ll find a welcoming spot for pups-a dedicated dog park where tails wag and paws kick up the grass.At the Jim Urbanski Dog Park, dogs roam leash-free, darting across the grass and chasing balls in a secure, fenced-in space.The park has separate areas for small and large dogs, so every pup-from a tiny terrier to a bounding lab-can play in comfort.The dog park has water fountains and shady spots, so pets and their owners can sip and relax under the trees, especially when the sun’s beating down.Number four.Al Lopez Park offers several playgrounds, where kids can scramble up slides or race across swings, making it a great spot for families with little ones.The playgrounds have everything from bright red slides to sturdy climbing frames, monkey bars that clang in the breeze, and plenty of other timeless play gear.These playgrounds sit under leafy shade, a cool spot that keeps kids comfortable through Tampa’s sweltering summers.The park’s dotted with sturdy picnic tables and a row of shiny grills, perfect for a family lunch or a lively get‑together.The park has 15 picnic shelters you can reserve, whether you’re hosting a big group or just sharing sandwiches under the shade.Scattered across the park, these shelters offer picnic tables, sturdy grills, and trash bins where you can toss away paper plates and bottle caps.They can host anything from an intimate dinner for four to a lively celebration with more than 200 guests.These shelters work perfectly for events-birthday cakes under the shade, family reunions with kids running barefoot, or lively community get‑togethers.You can book a spot by calling the park’s administration office, where the phone always rings with weekend plans.Five.Al Lopez Park sits just minutes from Tampa’s big attractions-Raymond James Stadium, George Steinbrenner Field, and the busy international airport-so it’s an easy stop whether you’re a local or just passing through.Because it sits just minutes from the main highways, you can pull off the road and be there before your coffee cools.Accessibility features: the park’s paths and entrances are built so people with disabilities can move through easily, even on a rainy day.Smooth walkways and tidy picnic areas make it easy for everyone, from parents with strollers to elderly visitors, to enjoy the park.The trails, playgrounds, and facilities are easy to reach, so everyone can enjoy what the park has to offer-from a shaded bench to the splash of the fountain.Number six.Al Lopez Park buzzes with life, hosting everything from colorful festivals to laid‑back picnics under the shade of tall oaks.This spot plays a central role in local sports leagues, and you’ll often find it buzzing with charity runs, family picnics, and all kinds of community gatherings.Seasonal festivals and neighborhood gatherings fill the park, from food trucks lined along the path to music spilling into the warm evening air, making it a central thread in Tampa’s outdoor life.Seven.For details about Al Lopez Park-whether you’re booking a picnic spot or planning an event-reach out to Cordelia B. For info, call Hunt Community Center at (813) 348‑1172, Park Administration at (813) 274‑8615, or Shelter Reservations at (813) 274‑8184.Al Lopez Park is one of Tampa’s quiet treasures, where you can slip away from the city and spend an afternoon under the shade of tall oaks.Whether you’re out for a morning jog, casting a line by the lake, soaking in the quiet of the trees, or gathering the family for a picnic, Al Lopez Park has you covered.With winding trails, a lively playground, a dog park, and shady picnic spots, it’s the kind of place you just have to check out when you’re in Tampa.With its wide lawns, pull-up bars, and a playground that hums with laughter, the park stays at the heart of the community.
