Al Lopez Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Al Lopez Park is a popular park located in the city of Tampa, Florida.


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Summary

It covers over 132 acres of land and is a great place to visit for anyone looking to enjoy nature and outdoor activities. There are a variety of reasons to visit the park, including its numerous walking and biking trails, picnic areas, playgrounds, and sports fields. Visitors can also enjoy fishing in the park's lake, which is stocked with a variety of fish species.

Some specific points of interest within the park include the historic Roy Jenkins Pool, which was built in the 1930s, and the Tampa Bay Audubon Society Bird Sanctuary, which is home to a variety of bird species. The park also has several large pavilions that are available for rental for events and parties.

One interesting fact about Al Lopez Park is that it was named after the first Hispanic-American to manage a Major League Baseball team, Al Lopez, who was born and raised in Tampa. The park was established in 1980 and has since become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.

The best time of year to visit Al Lopez Park is during the cooler months of the year, typically from October through April. This is when the weather is most pleasant and outdoor activities are most enjoyable. However, the park is open year-round and visitors can enjoy its amenities whenever they choose to visit.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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