John Chesnut Sr. Park
John Chesnut Sr. Park
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
436 reviews
Excellent
319
Very good
101
Average
12
Poor
1
Terrible
3
Robin F
Dunedin, FL112 contributions
Oct 2020
I'm here on a regular basis. The park is lovely. The trails are easy to follow. Bikes are allowed. Dogs must be on leash. You can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks. If you are having a group you should reserve a shelter ahead of time. They have about 9 picnic tables under a roof- There are grills at some shelters. The only negative is that not all shelters are near an open restroom-especially in winter. When you are near the water watch out for alligators. There is a large playground for children. Lots of parking
Written February 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AllisonCW
Boquete, Panama2,473 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
This is a great County Park with nice walking trails, boardwalks and lakes and swampy areas. We saw lots of beautiful birds and several baby alligators. There’s also a children’s playground. Everyone we saw was appreciative of the ability to get some exercise and to enjoy the wild life. It’s free to get in and there was parking in different areas of the park.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellen S
Palm Harbor, FL72 contributions
Jan 2020
This is the acerage Park to go for a Walk but it does have a Dog Park. Cant say much because we dont utilize it anymore. It also has a Playground for Kids, actually I thik it has two and it does have some Huts to BBQ under. Not sure if you have to make a Reservation for that. What is kind of neat is the Boardwalk along Tarpon Lake. Since we live closed by we take the Bike and ride around the Park. Kind of nice. People with Kids enjoy the Deer running around freely in there.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cate C
St. Petersburg, FL59 contributions
May 2024 • Friends
This was such an amazing park. Really wild and natural but with a nice wide boardwalk skirting Tarpon lake. Saw a gator right off along with lots of birds and squirrels. Also a tower for viewing the lake. Others paths to walk, some paved some not. Boat ramp available for $6 parking fee. Great playgrounds and clean bathroom facilities. Lots of free parking. Can’t wait to go back!
Written May 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alyson G
Tampa, FL21 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
Awesome park for a nice little Publix Sub picnic with a date. We easily found a table under a canopy of tall trees with a water view. Definitely a gem I didn’t know was there after 20 years living/working in Pinellas / Hillsborough.
Written March 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cherry_Wonderdog
New England4,745 contributions
Feb 2023
Really exceptional park that I visited with my son after a morning at Clearwater Beach. It’s reminiscent of old Florida, underdeveloped, with a feeling of nature undisturbed for decades. The pathways were open and beautiful, leading to a variety of shrubs, trees, grasses, and luscious vegetation.
Early on in our stroll, we followed the grasses towards the water, and sure enough, we encountered a crocodile basking in the sun by the water’s bank. No, we didn’t lose any limbs, nor were we attacked, so consider that an additional plus for why we had a good time.
We enjoyed the excellent boardwalks (made of amphibian-impervious composite material), educational material on invasive species, inquisitive squirrels, diverse avian wildlife, and succulently scenic swamp. And all of this was enjoyed with very few people around and at no cost.
High marks on Cherry Wonderdog’s rating scale. Enjoy!
Early on in our stroll, we followed the grasses towards the water, and sure enough, we encountered a crocodile basking in the sun by the water’s bank. No, we didn’t lose any limbs, nor were we attacked, so consider that an additional plus for why we had a good time.
We enjoyed the excellent boardwalks (made of amphibian-impervious composite material), educational material on invasive species, inquisitive squirrels, diverse avian wildlife, and succulently scenic swamp. And all of this was enjoyed with very few people around and at no cost.
High marks on Cherry Wonderdog’s rating scale. Enjoy!
Written February 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hondo 1 RPCV
626 contributions
Mar 2022
What a cool place. We saw all sorts of wildlife from cardinals to a gator. Quite a few wooden bridge trails to roam, a nice play area for kids, and plenty of space for a picnic. Didn't cost us anything and my teenage children were entertained. The lookout tower gave a good view of the area.
Written April 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
natalieb
Bloomington, IN98 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is a beautiful place to enjoy a walk in the sunshine. Our first visit, but my snowbird cousins walk here almost daily. Seemed very clean. Walking paths were very well-maintained. Parking is convenient to walking paths.
Written February 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daniel R
Windsor, VT45 contributions
Mar 2020
My wife and I recently visited this park. We walked around and came upon a number opportunities to see baby alligators. My wife and I also had packed a lunch,which we ate as we listened to the birds, and watched a pond with alligators. Very nice experience. I would return here.
Written March 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mainemike62
Yarmouth, ME74 contributions
Jan 2023
If you are into photography this is a palce you want to go. Visit pavillian 10 where there is a good restroom, easy parking and a walkway with benched spaced at point that are just perfect. I saw several birds, deer, even an alligator in the water over at Pavillian 9 . I will be going back to this park everytime I visit Florida now.
Written January 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the parking far away from the pavilions? I have 4 handicapped adults and invited to a child's birthday party at shelter #9, the 4 adults can't hoof it a long distance.
Written March 2, 2023
I know you can practically drive right up to some of the pavilions - as for the specific ones you are asking about I am not sure - hopefully someone else can answer this.
Written March 3, 2023
Lauren M
Holiday, Florida
Does the pavilions have electric plugs to keep food warm if needed?
Written August 22, 2019
Sorry but I'm really not sure.
Written August 23, 2019
Yes, it is. There is a fenced off area for dogs to run and play.
Written April 28, 2018
The fishing license is needed for all Pinellas County parks, and they check. it is $17 for each adult and youths 16 and over.
Written February 21, 2018
I think everyone needs a licence to fish if you are not from florida
Written April 1, 2018
How long is the boardwalk, does one have to climb steps to get on to it, and is it out-and-back or a loop or balloon of some kind? Thanks.
Written December 9, 2017
The boardwalk is maybe 1 mile at most. It’s flat - and goes through the marshland along the edge of brooker creek and Lake Tarpon.
Written December 23, 2017
What's the best time of day to see a deer ?An alligator?
Written September 7, 2017
Deer are more lively earlier in the morning or closer to dusk. Alligators are seen more when its cooler out( Morning or evening.) Thats what I was always told or have experienced.
Written September 8, 2017
No outlets from what I could see
Written July 30, 2017
Not to my knowledge. There is a newly renovated play area in the back near the lake. New play surface under the climbing equipment is very soft/cushioning. Also there is a large flat play area where a family who had reserved one of the shelter areas had set up a huge cricket-style game using pool noodles for wickets and rolling different size balls when I was there again last week. Also saw 7 little gators when I walked with new boardwalk out into the lake.
Written April 13, 2017
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