Tag Archives: Hillsborough County

May 23, 2018

Taking a Walk

On the Wild Side

Lettuce Lake Regional Park is a 240-acre Hillsborough County-run park just outside the city limits of Tampa, Florida. Located along the Hillsborough River. More than half of the park lies in the natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River. There is a hardwood swamp forest, hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods. It provides a natural storage reservoir for floodwater and improves water quality.

A park in its natural state that is untouched and truly offers an experience of natural Florida. I recommend visiting the interpretive center for exhibits on the local vegetation and the birdlife and wildlife that call the park home. The BEST feature of the park is the 3,500 foot boardwalk! There is an observation tower too.

(Photos by RSheridan)

Have You Taken a Walk On the Wild Side Lately? Love to Hear, Please Share.

2 Comments | tags: Fauna, Flora, Hillsborough County, Lettuce Lake, Nature, Wildlife | posted in CravesLife

September 23, 2015

Lettuce Lake

By cravesadventure

Where the “Wild” Things Are

Driving into the park was quite the experience! That feeling that you have truly left the city life behind in taking a left off the main drag and entered a unique space (aka the swamp). Such a special place to explore and adventure within. You just want to take your time here and look for the special and the unique as well as the wild and the exotic!

Lettuce Lake Regional Park. A 240-acre park just outside the city limits of Tampa. The park opened in 1982.

Location: 6920 East Fletcher Avenue, Tampa, Florida. Admission: $2 per car. Hours: Spring/Summer 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Fall/Winter 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Do not forget to pack!

Good walking shoes.
Sunscreen and cool clothing.
Bug spray.
Water.

A Hardwood Swamp Forest

Oaks
Cypress domes

Park Features

Visitor Center (an interpretive center with natural history and wildlife exhibits). Education programs available.
The Audubon Resource Center (ARC) is operated by the Tampa Audubon Society in the visitor center.
Trails and boardwalks – walking, hiking, biking.
Picnic areas with picnic tables as well as shelters (some shelters are reservable). Barbecue grills.
Playground.
Fitness course.
Fishing with a dock/pier.
Canoe/kayak launch with rentals.
River access.
Birdlife and wildlife watching.

Pretty much something for everyone that visits!

I loved exploring the fauna and flora as well as the birdlife and wildlife from the boardwalk! The boardwalk is 3,500 feet with an observation tower. Pets are not permitted on the boardwalk.

On the Boardwalk

Water is Key to this Environment/Habitat

More than half of the park’s property lies in the natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River. A natural storage reservoir for floodwater and improves water quality, which acts like a biological filter to remove excess nutrients from the water. Due to the recent rains and flooding some of the boardwalk was under water. The water was pretty clear and could see water plants, bugs, fishes, etc.