July is National Parks and Recreation Month, and here in Florida we are lucky to have lots of beautiful parks. One of my favorites is Philippe Park in Safety Harbor. The park, located at the top of Tampa Bay, has a mile of shoreline, picnic shelters, a boat ramp and parking area for boat trailers, and a canopy of oak trees draped in Spanish moss (I love those trees). Another interesting feature of the park is the large Tocobaga Indian mound, listed in the National Register of Historic Landmarks.
Philippe Park was named after Count Odet Philippe, who is credited for introducing grapefruit and other citrus trees to the area. Count Philippe is buried on the grounds of the park, the site of his former plantation.
Before my parents moved out of Florida, we enjoyed many family picnics at Philippe Park. Ron and I really need to plan another picnic soon. Well, maybe when the weather is cooler. :-)
Be sure to visit your favorite park this month!
Travel Tips: Philippe Park is open daily from 7 AM until dusk. Parking is free but there is a $6 charge to use the boat ramp.
P.S. Happy 24th anniversary to my favorite travel partner! You make my life a wonderful adventure.
Parts of First Landing State Park here have the Spanish mossy trees, the northernmost it goes. There's a bayside trail in FLSP that looks like it would fit in with these pictures. The TV show Sleepy Hollow, supposedly set in New York state, but actually filmed in Wilmington NC, keeps showing Spanish mossy trees, which I find hilarious.
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful photojournalism piece on Philippe Park, my favorite park in the whole world, Susan! Thank you for your good pictures and comments.
ReplyDeleteAnd congratulations on your 25,000th hit!
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