FunKidsActivities
Simmons Park

Simmons Park

University Of South Florida, 12101 USF Beard Drive, Tampa, FL 33620, USA

Overview

Category:Hiking with Kids
Location:Tampa, FL

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Simmons Park offers a uniquely tranquil and clean natural environment, ideal for families seeking a peaceful escape. Its value proposition lies in its uncrowded atmosphere, beautiful natural setting with water features, an adorable bridge, and a gazebo, making it perfect for relaxing walks, picnics, and enjoying sunsets, especially if you're looking for a quiet nature experience near USF.

Key Highlights

  • Consistently described as clean and not overcrowded, providing a peaceful experience.
  • Features a relaxing atmosphere with shade, a fountain, and opportunities for bird watching.
  • Boasts an 'adorable bridge', a gazebo, and water features that create a 'perfect relaxing backdrop' for activities like yoga.
  • Excellent for enjoying nature and spending quality time outdoors with family, including watching lovely sunsets.
  • A beautiful place perfect for a walk, described as the 'best park around USF'.

Standout Features

  • Cleanliness and a consistently uncrowded environment.
  • Beautiful natural setting with relaxing water features, a fountain, and shade.
  • An 'adorable bridge' and a gazebo for scenic spots.
  • Opportunities for bird watching and enjoying sunsets.
  • Proximity to USF.

Perfect For

All ages (especially for nature walks/picnics): Ideal for families with children who enjoy quiet walks, nature observation (birds, water), and picnics. The park's focus on relaxation and natural beauty means it's suitable for strollers and younger children who are content with observing or gentle movement. Teens might appreciate the peaceful atmosphere for reading or quiet outdoor time, but there are no specific play structures or high-energy activities mentioned.

Ideal For

Families looking for a peaceful, uncrowded place for a walk or gentle hike with kids.
Picnics and enjoying nature with family.
Watching sunsets.
Relaxation, reading, or quiet contemplation.
Yoga or other calm outdoor activities.
A calm place to sit and have lunch, particularly if waiting for family/friends nearby (e.g., Moffat).

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • **Bring your own amenities:** Parents are advised to carry a book, snacks, and a picnic mat to fully enjoy the park's atmosphere.
  • **Evening Parking Strategy:** If visiting at night and without a permit, you might be able to 'catch security' who *might* let you park for an hour to get a walk or workout done (implies this is not a guaranteed solution, but a possibility).

Things to Consider

  • Most parking is permit-only, which can be a significant hurdle for visitors without a permit during the day.

Price & Value

No pricing information is mentioned in the reviews, suggesting it is a free public park. The value comes from a clean, peaceful, natural, and uncrowded environment for relaxation and outdoor enjoyment without an entry fee.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accessibility accommodations are mentioned in the reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Outside food is encouraged; reviewers suggest bringing snacks and picnic mats, and one mentions having lunch there.

🚗Parking Info

  • Mostly permit-only parking. There's a slight possibility of parking for an hour at night if you 'catch security'.

👥Crowd Levels

  • Consistently described as 'not overcrowded' and a 'nice peaceful place'.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Reviewers mention it is 'clean'. No other specific safety features like staff supervision, first aid, or controlled access are noted.

When to Avoid

  • If your children require playgrounds, active play structures, or highly stimulating entertainment (none are mentioned).
  • If you require guaranteed, easy, non-permit parking during the day.

Photos

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What People Say

Areas for Improvement

  • Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 3 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Matthew

Matthew

2 weeks ago

This is a nice place to relax in the shade...listen to the fountain...and watch the birds.

Benedito Monteiro

Benedito Monteiro

2 months ago

Beautiful place and perfect for a walk

ANGELICA GREENE

ANGELICA GREENE

2 years ago

We love going to this park, it’s not over crowded and is clean! Most of the parking is permit only but if you catch security at night they’ll let you park for an hour to get your walk or workout done. The bridge is adorable, there’s a gazebo and the water is the perfect relaxing backdrop for some yoga.

Komal Matai

Komal Matai

2 years ago

The best park around USF. Carry a book, some snacks and a picnic mat! Perfect place to enjoy nature and spend time in the outdoors with your family! You can also see a lovely sunset from this park! Head to Simmons Park today!!

Elizabeth Stewart

Elizabeth Stewart

2 years ago

Nice peaceful place to sit have lunch while waiting for friends or family members in moffat having surgery. Just a nice calm place to sit in general.

Contact Information

University Of South Florida, 12101 USF Beard Drive, Tampa, FL 33620, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.6
Total Reviews144
Recent Reviews5