Ballast Point Park In Tampa Caters To Kids, Families

Looking for a cool place to take the kids on a hot afternoon? Check out the new play spaces, climbing apparatus and water jets at the redesigned Ballast Point Park in south Tampa.

Designed by Hardeman-Kempton and Associates, construction on the $995,602 improvement project began in December 2011 and was funded by the City of Tampa‘s Community Investment Tax (CIT). The City matched a portion of funds raised by Ballast Point for a tot lot, a playground for children under 5 years old.

“Ballast Point Park has been an integral part of our community for over 100 years,” says Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. “It’s a popular spot because it has something from everyone — from the fishing pier to the expanded wellness center to the new splash pad.”

In addition, park improvements include a sail structure to cover an existing playground, a great circular lawn, four new prefabricated picnic shelters featuring benches and grills, eight additional parking spaces and a new patio at the existing Joe Abrahams Fitness and Wellness Center. Florida friendly landscaping and irrigation were also installed.

The park also features a New England-style restaurant, Taste of Boston, featuring seafood, burgers, a kid’s menu and Old Meeting House brand ice cream served on the edge of the Tampa Bay. The restaurant recently underwent new management.

Ballast Point Park was originally developed as a tropical park in 1984, serving as a terminal for an electric trolley-car line at the south end of Bayshore Boulevard; the park was previously named Jules Verne Park.

Writer: Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Mayor Bob Buckhorn, City of Tampa