Hillsborough County To Reopen Nature Preserves; Parks Stay Closed

RUSKIN, FL — Hillsborough County will open a majority of its nature preserves and the boat ramp at E.G. Simmons Conservation Park in Ruskin on Saturday, May 2.

Several conservation parks, along with walking trails at six neighborhood parks, will open on Monday, May 4, to give residents additional options for recreation and exercise.

Residents will be required to follow social distancing guidelines, and portions of the parks will remain closed, including playgrounds, picnic areas and kayak/canoe facilities.

The boat ramp at E.G. Simmons will reopen at 8 a.m. Saturday along with all Hillsborough County nature preserves (except for Apollo Beach, which remains closed until further notice). Find a complete list of county nature preserves here.

The following conservation parks will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday:

• Flatwoods Conservation Park, 14302 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa, and 18205 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa
• Morris Bridge Off-Road Biking Area, 12651 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa
• Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park, 100 Alderman’s Ford Park Drive, Plant City, for hiking and biking only
• Upper Tampa Bay Trail and all parking areas

Walking trails only will open at the following six neighborhood parks at 8 a.m. Monday:

• Jackson Springs Community Center, 8620 Jackson Springs Road, Tampa
• Northdale Community Center, 15550 Spring Pine Drive, Tampa
• Carrollwood Village Community Park, 4680 W. Village Drive, Tampa
• Ruskin Community Center, 901 6th St. S.E., Ruskin
• Apollo Beach Community Center, 664 Golf and Sea Blvd., Apollo Beach
• All People’s Life Center, 6105 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa

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These parks and preserves are the first to reopen since all county parks and preserves were closed in late March because of the coronavirus pandemic. All other county parks and boat ramps remain closed.

The following county boat ramps remain closed:

• Tampa Bypass Canal-Harney Park Boat Ramp, 7269 N. U.S. 301 Tampa
• Edward Medard Park Boat Ramp, 6356 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City
• John B. Sergeant Park Boat Ramp, 12702 U.S. 301 N., Thonotosassa
• Lake Park Boat Ramp, 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz
• Morris Bridge Park Boat Ramp, 13630 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa
• Trout Creek Park Boat Ramp, 12550 Morris Bridge Road, Thonotosassa

Other county Conservation Parks, Dog Parks, Skate Parks and Park & Trail Closures will remain closed.

At the Hillsborough County Emergency Policy Group meeting Thursday, Tampa Mayor Sandy Castor said the city has six trail areas open for exercising but all city parks and beaches remain closed including the Tampa Riverwalk and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

Trails open for exercise include:

• South Manhattan Avenue from Interbay Boulevard north to West Bay Avenue then west and continuing north on South Manhattan Avenue to Legacy Park Drive
• Bayshore Boulevard from Gandy Boulevard north to Platt Street
• 20th Street from Adamo Drive south to Maritime Boulevard
• 22nd Street from 21st Avenue north to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
• Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail
• Bruce B. Downs Boulevard Trail

The following city boat ramps are open:

• Lowry Park Boat Ramp
• Ballast Point Boat Ramp
• Picnic Island Boat Ramp

Temple Terrace Acting Mayor Andy Ross said all Temple Terrace parks and boat ramps are open but the playground equipment has been roped off and remains closed.

Plant City Mayor Rick Lott said city parks are currently closed but the city plans to have a grand reopening of all park facilities next week.

See related stories:

• Commission Votes To Reopen Pinellas Beaches Monday Morning
• Hillsborough County Coronavirus Update: What You Need To Know