Tampa Bay Hidden Treasures
 People, Places, Art, Businesses, Products, Organizations, History, Trails, Nature, Museums, Towns and Fun Places ​​
Treasure List

Solstice - Tampa

3/26/2019

 
Picture
Located at the intersection of North Tampa Street and East Kennedy Boulevard, Solstice is a twenty-eight foot metal sculpture created by Charles Perry. I always think it looks like it is about to unravel or roll away. I can definitely picture some mad scientist harnessing lightning with it to open a rift to a dimension full of goblins or something. Could this have been Perry’s plan all along? Placing it in a place like Tampa known for its frequent thunderstorms? I can almost see the goblins now climbing up the sides of the surrounding skyscrapers, cackling and stealing babies. I really should pay more attention to traffic.

I like the flow and the symmetry of the piece. It is rumored to be named Solstice because it casts a perfectly circular shadow on the solstice. That seems harmless enough.

​See list of public art in Tampa

Written by Daniel Noe, WayOutLife.com

Simmons Park - Ruskin

3/18/2019

 
Picture
taken on the day I saw the dolphins
Simmons Park has some great views across Tampa Bay. There are tables and shelters throughout offering places to sit in the breeze and watch the boats go by. There are numerous coves and mangroves as well. Along the edge there are breaks in the trees to get down next to the water and look for fiddler crabs, horseshoe crabs, or fish. Beware of sharp oysters! Every time I go exploring, I see something interesting. There are osprey nests there. I even saw raccoons once. Another time I was able to get close to some pelicans. Another time I saw dolphins! Of course, sometimes I don’t go exploring because it is also a great place to pull my folding chair out of the trunk onto the grass and read (or write) a book.
Picture
taken on a day that was overcast
Simmons Park has a boat ramp, RV parking, two campgrounds, two playgrounds, and a small beach. Shelters can be reserved for large parties. Many people go there to fish or catch snails. It seems there is something there for everybody.
​
2401 19th Ave NW, Ruskin, Florida
Visit Website

Written by Daniel Noe, WayOutLife.com

William F. Poe Plaza - Tampa

3/15/2019

 
Picture
When I have business in the area, I like to walk through the William F. Poe plaza to look at the plants, fountain, and architecture. There are many semi-secluded nooks at different levels connected by stairs. I don’t usually stop, but others do, sitting on benches or at tables outside the café. There is also a covered footbridge overhead connecting the bank and the leasing company. This area is mostly in shade and surrounded by trees. It always makes a nice place to spend one’s lunch break.
​
What I did not know until recently is how much Tampa history is connected to the place. It was the starting point of the 1909 auto race from Tampa to Jacksonville. Later in 1980, a forgotten Seminole-War-era cemetery was discovered during construction of an adjacent building. Finally, the plaza was built and named after the former mayor Bill Poe.

The plaza is located between East Jackson Street and East Whiting Street and between North Tampa Street and South Florida Avenue.

Written by Daniel Noe, WayOutLife.com

    Hidden Treasures

    Treasure List

    Town List

    All
    Apollo Beach
    Balm
    Bradenton
    Brandon
    Clearwater
    Dunedin
    Gibsonton
    Largo
    Lithia
    Lutz
    New Port Richey
    Palmetto
    Palm Harbor
    Parrish
    Riverview
    Ruskin
    Safety Harbor
    Sarasota
    St Petersburg
    Sun City Center
    Tampa
    Tarpon Springs
    Thonotosassa
    Wimauma
    Zephyrhills

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    RSS Feed

TOWNS

​​Town List

Company

About
Write 

Support

Contact
FAQ
Terms of Use
© COPYRIGHT 2015 - 2020. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.