- The Florida Botanical Gardens is a public garden which is also home to Pinellas County Extension. The beautiful garden features native and tropical plants, demonstrating creative landscaping techniques.
The botanical beauty includes themed gardens - the tropical, rose, topiary, jazz, English cottage and celebration/wedding gardens. Guests might be treated to butterflies, herons, otters, eagles, and other wildlife encounters. One-of-a-kind gifts may be purchased in the Botanical Bounty gift shop. Call 582-2100.
Located at the southernmost tip of Pinellas County, Fort De Soto County Park is the largest park in the county’s park system with 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands.
Opened in 1962, the park boasts sandy beaches, historic features and a wealth of recreational opportunities.
In 2005, the park’s North Beach topped Dr. Beach’s list of top American beaches. Citing its wide sugar sand beach, great shelling and thriving natural dunes, this much-deserved honor came as no surprise to Pinellas residents.
Walkers, joggers, skaters and bike riders have made use of the unique Fred E. Marquis Pinellas Trail since the completion of its first segment in 1990.
The first 5-mile stretch ran from Taylor Park in Largo to Seminole City Park and provided a protected greenspace for trail-goers. A linear park and recreation trail now extending from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs, the corridor connects some of the county’s best parks, coastal areas and neighborhoods.
Parks adjacent or close to the trail include, from south to north, Trail Head Park, Azalea and Abercrombie City Park in St. Petersburg; War Veterans County Park in Bay Pines; Seminole City Park; Walsingham Park, Heritage Village, Ridgecrest and Taylor Park in Largo; Coachman Park in Clearwater; Pioneer Park, Edgewater Park and Hammock Park in Dunedin; Stansell Park and Wall Springs County Park in Palm Harbor; The Dunn Conservation Park and Craig Park in Tarpon Springs.
Located on the Bayboro Harbor in downtown St. Petersburg, the Salvador Dali Museum is the permanent home of the world’s most comprehensive collection of works by the late Spanish surrealist Salvador Dali.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the museum. Compiled by Dali’s close friends, A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse over 45 years, the museum collection includes 94 original oils, more than 100 watercolors and drawings, 1,300 graphics, sculptures, holograms, objects d’art, photographs and an extensive archival library.
The Pinellas Trail is one of the most popular and successful projects ever launched.
Officially known as the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail, the 35-mile paved path has not only become a favorite of cyclists, but of skaters, runners and walkers as well.
Like a great serpent, it snakes its way through Pinellas County while sprouting spurs that together eventually will become 100 miles or more long.
The land boom that gripped much of Florida in the 1920s largely bypassed the sleepy backwaters of Pinellas County. Instead, most Pinellas residents scraped a living from whatever bounty the land and the sea provided.
Visitors can step back to that simpler time at Heritage Village, the county’s open-air historical museum. Heritage Village is a town that never existed. It was created, starting as a bicentennial project in 1976, to give visitors the feel of a typical 1920s Florida small town.
From the pier, kayaks point toward the shell strewn shore. Rowers and paddlers pack with granola bars, insect repellent, towels and bottles of water.
There is a marked trail around the bend at Weedon Island, a preserve originally acquired in 1898 by Dr. Leslie Weedon.
Ironically the original inhabitants of these lands were the Weeden Island Culture.
The four-mile canoe trail loops gently through low, thick mangrove forest and long stretches of seagrass flats.
There are many species of birds including: rosette spoonbills, ibis, great blue herons, plus schools of mullet and a fair share of mosquitoes and no-see-ums.
Ask a Nurse Wellness Clinics for Pinellas Park residents LEALMAN – Ask a Nurse Wellness Clinics, held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4364, are available free to Pinellas Park residents.
The clinics now are offered on second and fourth Saturdays, 3 to 5 p.m., at the post, 5773 62nd St. N., St. Petersburg. The clinics coincide with the VFW Burn Your Own Steak dinner, 4 to 7 p.m., which also is open to the public. The cost for the dinner is $10.
A Palm Staffing, based in Palm Harbor, provides the clinic. Consult with a nurse for blood pressure checks, medication questions, diabetes information and dietary concerns. Wound care is offered, along with mini health evaluations that can be shared with your doctor. Lab work can be done on-site with doctor’s orders.
Cello concert
SAFETY HARBOR – Concert cellist Theresa Villani will share her newest musical masterpieces from her album, “Music for Meditation and Reflection” on Saturday, May 25, 1 to 2 p.m., at the Safety Harbor Public Library, 101 Second St. N. Call 724-1525, ext. 4112.
Piano accompaniment will be provided by Dr. Anne Marie Scotto. The concert is made possible through the sponsorship of the Friends of the Safety Harbor Library, and it is free and open to all ages.
An art show that showcases the repurposed art and 3D hanging wood sculptures of Villani will also coincide with this concert and will be on display through Sunday, June 30.
Clearwater Gateway Farmer’s Market CLEARWATER – The Clearwater Gateway Farmer’s Market is open each Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Cleveland Street east of Missouri Avenue. Parking is available at Fifth Third Bank, 1150 Cleveland Street; Greektown Grille, 1230 Cleveland St., and Maxa Enterprises, 1275 Cleveland St.
This family friendly event welcomes customers with children, bikes and dogs as they shop for local food, produce, artisan goods, and enjoy the free entertainment.
Visit www.myclearwatermarket.com or email myclearwatermarket@gmail.com.
Open air market LARGO – The open air market continues every Saturday through May 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Largo Community Center.
Browse through a variety of fresh local produce and food vendors, crafters, and jewelry artists. There will be entertainment and plenty of family fun. The market is located at 400 Alt. Keene Road.
For more information, call 518-3131 or go to our website at LargoCommunityCenter.com.
Police equestrian speed show
PINELLAS PARK – Pinellas Park police will hold its monthly equestrian speed show on Saturday, May 25, 6 to 10 p.m., at Helen Howarth Park, 6301 94th Ave. N.
This event is free and open to the public.
The show will include exhibition, hairpin, jackpot and Texas barrels, poles, and flags. Event proceeds will go to the Pinellas Park Police Department Mounted Patrol Unit and Volunteer Mounted Unit.
Call 547-8495 for more information.
SYAA fundraiser
SEMINOLE – Seminole Youth Athletic Association will hold a fundraising night at Sweet Tomatoes at the Largo Mall, 13101 Seminole Blvd., Saturday, May 25, 6 to 9 p.m.
For more information, visit www.syaasports.com.
Wildflower Garden Club meeting
TARPON SPRINGS – The Wildflower Garden Club will meet Saturday, May 25, 8 to 10 a.m., at Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center, 3940 Keystone Road. Call 453-6800 or visit www.brookercreekpreserve.org.
The Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve will get their gardening hands dirty in the preserve’s wildflower garden. Attendees are asked to bring garden gloves and a hat. Morning snacks are usually provided. The activity is free. Registration is required.
Zumba classes
PINELLAS PARK – Zumba classes are offered at Broderick Recreation Center, 6101 66th Ave. N., every Saturday from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Cost is $5 per person. Call 204-0973 or email michelle@zumbastpete.com for more information.
Zumba is a high-energy cardio, Latin dance fitness class designed to be fun and easy on the body. All ages and fitness levels are welcome. Wear comfortable workout clothing and sneakers, and bring water.
Alateen meetings for teens CLEARWATER - Al-Anon for teens is offered Sundays, 10 a.m. at the Serenity Club, 631 Turner St., Clearwater. Al-Anon members who are interested in becoming an Alateen sponsor are also needed, and they must meet three requirements. They must have been in Al-Anon for three years and attend regular meetings. They must be at least 23 years old, and they must attend training with details of the WSO Safety and Behavioral Requirements. An Alateen sponsor is a trained AMIAS who facilitates the Alateen meeting. They do not sponsor Alateens. Only trained AMIAS’s are allowed in Alateen meetings. It is not open to adults.
For information, contact Laurie at alateenlaurie@yahoo.com or 954-3607.
Corey Fresh Market Sundays
ST. PETE BEACH - Corey Fresh Market continues on Sundays, 9 a.m. To 2 p.m., through the end of May. Average 40 local vendors including organic produce, plants/orchids, specialty foods, arts/crafts and live music. Corey merchants open during market hours. Free parking. Located just off Gulf Boulevard in downtown St Pete Beach. Call 727-498-8778 or visist www.coreyave.com.
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