Plus, St. Pete's new flood rating.
 
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83º | 90% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 8:03 a.m. | Sunset 7:53 p.m. | Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 6:39 a.m. + 4:32 p.m. | Low: 10:10 a.m. | Clearwater Beach | High: 1:18 p.m. | Low: 7:25 a.m. + 8:52 p.m. | Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

From our friends at WTSP

 
🌳 Meet us at the park
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A biker takes advantage of the sunny day at North Shore Park. | Photo by TBAYtoday
Whether you’re looking for a place to play with the kiddos or to decompress with some off-screen time, the Tampa Bay area has dozens of parks to choose from.

Ready to plan your trip to the park? Grab your shades and trusty water bottle — here are some of Tampa + the Burg’s best:

Nature parks

Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave., Tampa

Featuring 130+ acres of nature trails and freshwater ponds, this piece of paradise within the city is the perfect respite from fast-paced life. Al Lopez also boasts a community center, dog park, fishing dock, playgrounds, picnic shelters, and outdoor exercise equipment.

Lettuce Lake Park, 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa

Partly located in the natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River, this Old Florida paradise is a wonderful spot for wildlife viewing and hikes. Also enjoy the playgrounds, boardwalk, 1.25-mile exercise trail, and weekend education tours.

Family parks

Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, 601 Old Water St., Tampa

The 4.5-acre park’s name Cotanchobee means “the big place where water meets the land.” Located right in the heart of downtown, the park offers activities for the whole family, including a playground, splash pad, scenic overlook, canoe launch, as well as a memorial to the Seminole Wars.

Giddens Park, 5202 N. 12th St., Tampa

This Seminole Heights park has everything you need to entertain the kiddos with a recreation center, ball fields, play courts, a playground, splash pad, and a picnic area.

Sports parks

Desoto Park, 2617 Corrine St., Tampa

Located right on the shore of McKay Bay, Desoto is home to a family pool, basketball courts, skate park, athletic fields, trails, and plenty of spots to take in the views.
City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.
 
Asked
 
What is your favorite park activity to do in our area?
A. Walking my dog
B. Spending time with the kiddos
C. Having a picnic
D. Jogging or working out
 
 
Events
 
Thursday, April 11
  • Lunch Break Terrarium Workshop | Thursday, April 11 | 12-2 p.m. | Cactus Moon, 4206 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | $40 | Stop by within the window for a 30-minute workshop on how to build, design, and maintain a succulent terrarium — all supplies included.
Friday, April 12
  • Café Con Tampa | Friday, April 12 | 8-9 a.m. | The Portico, 1001 N. Florida Ave., Tampa | $12 | Learn about the historic Moseley Homestead and mingle with other local professionals — ticket includes breakfast.
  • Sunsets in Spring: A Paint & Sip Event | Friday, April 12 | 6:30-9 p.m. | 1600 E. 8th Ave., Ste. A200, Tampa | $25+ | Paint sunsets and spring-themed pieces over appetizers and drinks — supplies are provided.
  • “A Tribute to Ed Sheeran” | Friday, April 12 | 9-10 p.m. | Centro Asturiano de Tampa, 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa | $44+ | Enjoy a “Perfect” night basking in Ed Sheeran’s hits on the strings under the glow of candlelight.
Saturday, April 13
  • Tampa Firefighters 13th Annual 5K | Saturday, April 13 | 6 a.m. | 720 E. Zack St., Tampa | $20-$35 | Join for a 5K or 1-mile race benefitting Camp Hopetake, a week-long summer camp for child burn victims.
  • Swiftie Video Dance Party | Saturday, April 13 | 4-10:30 p.m. | Fairgrounds St. Pete, 2606 Fairfield Ave. S., St. Petersburg | $22+ | Pull on your best “Eras Tour” outfit and dance along to Taylor Swift’s music videos.
Sunday, April 14
  • Writing Workshop | Sunday, April 14 | 4-5 p.m. | Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa | $5+ | Join local author Roy Peter Clark as he leads a one-hour writing workshop.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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☀️ Celebrity sighting: This solar company was featured on HGTV
a gif of three photos: a group photo of the crew and freedom solar employees; solar panels on top of a roof; two women shouting on a rooftop with solar panels in the background.
“Solar is one of those things...that for the next 20 years actually increases in value. It keeps making you money and paying off your energy bill,” said Davis of deciding to go solar. | Photos by Freedom Solar Power and HGTV
They get six weeks and a limited budget — and when it came time for real estate and design experts Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis to decide what would make their house stand out, they chose to go solar.

The fifth season of HGTV’s full-house renovation competition “Rock the Block,” takes viewers to the neighboring TBAY city of Treasure Island, where (as we all know) heat + hurricanes are a homeowner reality.

Lamb and Davis did their research and decided to partner with Freedom Solar Power (psst: they had good things to say, too). Why go solar? According to the reno duo, solar added value to the home by:
  • Keeping the house cool no matter what the summer heat is doing
  • Ensuring the power stays on through weather-induced outages
  • Providing a good return investment (think: solar adds incremental valuation to homes)
Spark your curiosity? To celebrate the HGTV partnership, Freedom Solar is offering $500 off a home solar system + a free solar e-book.
 
News Notes
 
Weather
  • Prepare for some stormy weather today, TBAY. The Tampa Bay area is under the “slight” risk of severe weather today, as of yesterday afternoon. Forecasters say we could see heavy winds + up to four feet of flooding in coastal areas as a wave of storms move in by this afternoon. (Tampa Bay Times)
Outdoors
  • Pinellas County beefed up its flood score. FEMA’s Community Rating System improved Pinellas to a rating of 2 on its scale, down from a 3. The new rating will save ~20,000 policyholders in unincorporated parts of the county money on flood insurance. (Tampa Bay Times)
Development
  • Soon, you could peer down on St. Pete Beach from above. Plans for the proposed TradeWinds Island Resort’s massive expansion include the Sunshine State’s first publicly accessible glass-bottomed observation deck. The St. Pete Beach City Commission will hear the expansion proposal Monday, April 15. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Community
  • The Tampa Bay Rodeo is in town. Head to the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds this Friday, April 12 + Saturday, April 13 to watch bronco bustin’ or bull riding, or enjoy tunes + carnival treats. Gates open at 5 p.m. both days. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Announced
  • So long, farewell. Aerosmith rocks the Cigar City one final time next Valentine’s Day. The band’s farewell tour plays Amalie Arena on February 14, 2025. Grab the remaining tickets on sale tomorrow, April 12 at 10 a.m. (That’s So Tampa)
Show
  • Don Omar — of “Danza Kuduro” fame — is bringing his musical stylings to Amalie Arena this summer. The Latin superstar plays the downtown stage Friday, September 6. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 17 at 10 a.m.
Trending
  • Today is the first day of the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. If you’re feeling inspired and want to improve your putting game, check out our guide to 12 golf courses + indoor facilities in and around the Tampa Bay area.
Sports
  • Do you think the Bucs should trade up? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
    Plan Ahead
    • Psst — Taxes are almost due. Use E-file for quick, online filing. Plus, file your federal taxes for free with their basic software plan.*
     
    TEGNA
     
    Tourism and Hospitality
     
    Ybor City’s newest gem
    Green bar stools, bartenders, and patrons sit around a bar in an industrial setting.
    Bar Martinez brings all the moody vibes. | Photo by TBAYtoday
    There’s almost a new spot to cowork, grab a cocktail, and spend a luxe date night right off Ybor City’s Seventh Avenue. Ten Rooms Ybor, a new retail + foodie hub is opening soon in the historic neighborhood’s El Centro Español de Tampa building (1536 E. Seventh Ave.).

    The space — once a former clubhouse built in the early 1900s — blends its roots, with a statute of Queen Isabella and the original tiled floors contrasting modern touches like art installments + beautiful design.

    Ten Rooms Ybor debuts Saturday, April 27 + will be open seven days a week. Here’s a peek at what you’ll find inside:
    • Bar Martinez: A fine dining bar and restaurant
    • Genevieve the Cat: A bar featuring cocktails on tap
    • The Shop at Ten Rooms: Offering boutique goods and rotating vendors
    • The Cafe at Ten Rooms: Serving all kinds of coffee and tea + pastries
    Can’t wait to check it out? Here’s a peek.
     
    The Buy
     
    Your furry friend’s new spot to sleep. Say goodbye to traditional pet beds and pick your favorite print.
     
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    The Wrap
     
    Bailey Lefever in a park near a pond Today’s edition by:
    Bailey
    From the editor
    Feeling lucky to call the Tampa Bay area home? April is Earth Month + now’s your chance to give back. Tampa Bay Watch is hosting a variety of events to celebrate, from wetland nursery planting to an oyster shell bar installation.
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