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 Fred H. Howard Park

1700 Sunset Dr.,
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Phone 727.943.4081

A place where people and wildlife can play and enjoy

Howard park at sunsetFred Howard Park consists of 155 acres and is located on the Gulf of Mexico. Since the parks dedication on April 16, 1966 the parks popularity has continued to increase. Almost 2 million visitors enjoy the park and its facilities annually.

Howard Park's location provides access to the Gulf of Mexico by a 1-mile long causeway. The white sandy beach is a very popular north county swim area and also provides a perfect location for visitors to enjoy many spectacular sunsets. Nesting ospreys and eagles may be viewed by park visitors as they fish for food in the surrounding waters. Dolphins, and occasionally manatees, are seen in the area. The causeway is used for sunbathing, fishing and exercising.

Virtual Tour-
360° Views of Howard Park

Butterfly Garden
Beach
Causeway
Walking Path

Fred Howard Park has and protects many important and disappearing Florida habitats.

  • Sea grass beds
  • Saline wetlands
  • Mangrove estuaries
  • Salterns
  • Long leaf and slash pine flatwoods
  • Turkey oak - long leaf pine sandhill
  • Coastal scrub

Many unusual animals inhabit Fred Howard Park including some endangered and/or threatened species, such as eagles, gopher tortoises and fox squirrels. The park also has many different kinds of butterflies and birds.

Shelters
The park offers 9 shelters with parking lots and restroom facilities conveniently located. All shelters have picnic tables and grills and may be reserved 365 days a year. Please call 727-943-4081 for reservations

Who was Fred H. Howard?
The park was named in honor of Fred H. Howard, former Mayor of Tarpon Springs first elected to the office in 1945. Mr. Howard also served as a City Commissioner and Vice Chairman of the Pinellas County Park Board for more than 30 years. Mr. Howard was a successful real estate businessman who was very civic minded and served the area in many political and organizational capacities. To provide a north county facility for the enjoyment of area residents, Mr. Howard worked to secure the property for development as a north county park. A bronze plaque at the base of the park’s flagpole commemorates Mr. Howard’s, “untiring efforts (to make) this park a reality.”Howard Park beack

Facilities

  • 9 Picnic shelters
  • 6 Restrooms
  • 3 Playgrounds
  • Softball field
  • 2 Payphones
  • Areas to walk and run
  • White sand beach
  • Swimming area
  • Lifeguards on duty
  • Wind surfing area
  • Sports craft launching area for Canoeing & Kayakingwindsurfing at Howard Park
  • Fishing
  • Beach showers
  • Outreach programs
  • Annual events
  • Kids & cops day
  • Triathlon
  • Jr. lifeguard program
  • Woman’s windsurfing day

 

 

Directions to the Park
From U. S. Highway 19 or Alternate 19: Traveling north on U.S. Highway 19 or Alternate 19 turn left on Klosterman Road and go to Carlton Road. Turn right on Carlton Road and go to the stop sign, turn left onto Curlew Place. Go to the next stop sign, which is Florida Avenue, and turn right. Go 2 miles to the red flashing light and turn left onto Sunset Drive (which dead-ends into the park.)

Color Maps & Diagrams of this park

print-friendly location map PDF file
print-friendly diagram PDF file

Download Howard Park Brochure PDF file

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