My Downtown Tampa » Park

Joe Chillura Courthouse Square

tommyduncn — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:07:51 +0000

Joe Chillura Courthouse Square was dedicated in January 2000 by the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners.

The park is one city block, 245 feet by 242 feet, and features a circular park design, public art (Freedom Sculpture), a covered gazebo, and a history walking trail. The “dome” of the gazebo resembles the dome of the 1892 County Courthouse and the image on the County Seal.

Shade trees at the park are live oaks and the palms are the Florida state tree, the cabbage palm. The ground cover is a native plant called coontie. Ten times around the square is approximately one mile.

Joe Chillura Courthouse Square (map) is located on the block surrounded by Kennedy Blvd. on the south and Morgan, Madison, and Pierce Streets in the Government Center district of downtown Tampa.

Herman Massey Park Reopened

tommyduncn — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 11:09:05 +0000

After getting $83,700 in renovations, Herman Massey Park has been reopened.

The small park at Tyler and Franklin Streets (map) was shut down for nearby construction and then the renovations of the park.

Herman Massey Park Grand Re-Opening

tommyduncn — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 21:45:04 +0000

November 10, 2008
2:00 pm

Tampa’s first downtown park, Herman Massey Park, has recently been renovated and the City of Tampa is holding a brief grand re-opening on Monday, November 10 at 2 p.m. with Mayor Iorio. The park is located at 1002 N. Franklin Street.

The park is located on the corner of Tyler and Franklin Streets and measures 150 feet and 250 feet. The basic design of the park was kept, but repairs were made to the brick walkways, lighting fixtures and granite seating caps. A rose garden was planted thanks to the Tampa Rose Society who prepped the planting area and installed the 40 rose bushes. An ornamental black fence and water fountain were also installed.

The cost of the improvements and repairs was $83,700 and was paid for with Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds.

Herman Massey Park originally opened in 1988 and is named after a former Parks Department director.

Lykes Gaslight Square Park

tommyduncn — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 11:50:18 +0000

Lykes Gaslight Square Park is a tranquil place to break away from your busy life for a few minutes.

The X-shaped walkways cross the full city block from the corners, and oaks line the walkways, placing the park benches squarely in the shade.

Lykes Gaslight Square Park hosts some of the Florida Orchestra’s Pops in the Park concerts, Latin Fest, the Tampa Police Department Memorial Run, as well as other special events.

During the weekdays, you can grab a bite to eat nearby while enjoying a bit of greenspace. The city sometimes hires musicians to play in the park, too.

Lykes Gaslight Square Park (map) is surrounded by Tampa, Madison, and Franklin Streets and Kennedy Blvd.