Eureka Springs Conservation Park
6400 Eureka Springs Rd.
Tampa, FL 33610
HOURS:
Mon. – Fri.: 9 AM to 5 PM
Sun. & Sat.: 8 AM to 6 PM
Not far from the urban sprawl of downtown Tampa lies an oasis, a piece of paradise where you would least expect to find one. Bordered by Interstate 75 to the east, I-4 to the south, Tampa Executive Airport to the north and the Tampa Bypass Canal to the west, this botanical wonderland is a breath of fresh air. Founded by Albert Greenberg, Eureka Springs Park is the only botanical garden run by Hillsborough County.
Albert Greenberg was the founder of Florida’s $60 million aquaculture industry, the first person to successfully open and operate a tropical fish farm and aquatic plant nursery in the state. Greenberg donated a portion of his land, 31 acres including the 11 springs, to Hillsborough County for a public park and botanical garden. His only stipulation was that it always be a garden for the public to enjoy.
Over the years he had filled this area with exotic plants, creating a beautiful, rain forest-like garden for his own enjoyment. Today, Eureka Springs Park remains a haven for unusual flora. It boasts the largest public collection of ferns in the state, rare varieties of bromeliads and orchids, an extensive trail system, and a 1,700-foot boardwalk.
On his death in 1993, Mr. Greenberg was buried in the park.
Nature lovers can gaze at the park’s rose garden and orchid room, as well as stroll along walking trails and the boardwalks that wind through a lush floodplain forest of maples, cypresses, and tupelo. The park also features a greenhouse, picnic tables and shelters, a reservable Eureka Springs party pavilion, and interpretive trails. Admission is $2 per vehicle with up to 8 people per vehicle. Such a deal!!
If you’d like an inexpensive nature spot to visit right in the city of Tampa, Florida, go to the Eureka Springs Conservation area.
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Oh what a wonderful, exotic and colourful nature Post. Thank you for all Information about the Park and Albert Greenberg.
Greetings from a rainy and grey Germany
Kirsi
Thanks for the greeting Kirsi – have a beautiful day!
Edenic place indeed! And at a throwaway entrance fee too! Would love to spend some time there!
Looks like such a beautiful and interesting place!!
Hugs,
Debbie
So beautiful, Carol! I’m loving that blue sky. We haven’t seen a lot of that here lately! Heaven!
Sending you warm, sunny thoughts!
So beautiful!
What a wonderful place! Great photos!
Hello, this is a new park for me, it is beautiful. I love the view looking up at the sky and trees. The plants and flowers are beautiful. I always would enjoy the boardwalk trails. Lovely photos. Wishing you a great day and weekend ahead!
Happy Thursday!
Lovely pictures of the lovely park!
What an awesome spot, and great photos. Looks like a hidden gem!
What a lovely place! I’m sure I could spend a lot of time taking photos there!
It’s great to see your post on ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
My Corner of the World
Really beautiful place and to think it’s so near the urban area. I love all the florals. TFS and have a wonderful weekend.
Have a great weekend!
How beautiful! And what an inexpensive entry price too!
Just wonderful, a place for nature with many, many ferns, I like that! If I had the opportunity, I would visit this park!
Looks like the perfect place for a stroll, as long as the alligator stays in the water. – Margy
What a beautiful place to visit! 🙂 Wonderful photos too.
I haven’t spent much time around Tampa. But heading to Bonita Springs very soon.
Have fun – I’ll look forward to your photos.
Thank you, Carol, for sharing this lovely place. I may be going to Tampa Bay next year. I made a note to visit Eureka Springs Park.
You might want to check out Lettuce Lake Park (https://www.comfortspringstation.com/2019/04/04/lettuce-lake-park/) and Florida Botanical Gardens (https://www.comfortspringstation.com/2018/01/11/the-florida-botanical-gardens-a-tampa-bay-favorite/) and Fort De Soto Park which is in St Pete (https://www.comfortspringstation.com/2019/01/24/fort-de-soto-park/) None of these parks are expensive though Eureka Springs admission is ridiculous. All are county parks – either Hillsborough or Pinellas. Read up and explore!
That IS an oasis. Lovely green place.
And lovely pictures from Eureka Springs Park. 🙂 I particularly love the picture of the palms.
Have a good weekend, Carol. 🙂
Happy Saturday Dee!
…what a gorgeous place to explore!
Carol – how inspirational. Thank goodness for the generosity and vision of Mr. Greenberg, to conserve this slice of paradise among the “sprawl” of Florida. Your pictures give a vivid and thorough view of the park – I know I would love it there! And you’re right – the entry fee is a deal. Thanks for sharing this colorful park with everyone at Mosaic Monday!
OYou how truly beautiful!! I’m so very fond of water lilies and that photo brought back memories of our little pond. Wishing you a wonderful week!
What a lovely park and beautiful photos!
Looks like a beautiful place to wander… well, except for the gator!
Looks like a beautiful place to visit. I bet it often mistakenly gets looked over with so many headed to the theme parks of Orlando!
Lots of visitors to Tampa only head to Busch Gardens theme park – there is so much more!
A lovely place! Looks like a treasure trove!
Thanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2019/10/toothless-carnivores.html