Edward Medard Park extends along 1,284 acres owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), where a water control structure and reservoir offer flood protection along the Alafia River.
Located on what was once a phosphate mining site, the Park offers unique topography with elevation changes that have become very popular for children’s play. A 3-mile trail that is accessible (dry) most of the year offers equestrians and hikers a pleasant trip through pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks.
The park's main attraction is a 700-acre reservoir used for canoeing, boating and fishing. The boat launch offers boaters a number of boat slips with plenty of docks.
For overnight stays, the Park has 40 slot style campsites to accommodate both RV and primitive camping, including 2 group sites. All campsites are full service, each providing a picnic table, 30 amp electrical hook-ups, a fire ring, water and valet roadside trash service. Public restrooms with showers and an RV dump station are also available.
Edward Medard Park also offers 14 picnic shelters each with 1 grill, a boardwalk, a playground, conoe & kayak rentals, floating dock, 2 beach volleyball courts and an observation platform overlooking the reservoir.
Unique to Edward Medard Park is a new disc golf course. Although the course has not yet been dedicated, and staff are adding finishing touches, the course is now open to the public. Disc golf is similar in objective to traditional golf; the goal is to complete each hole with the fewest attempts. In this game, however, players throw specially made plastic flying discs at above ground targets instead of using clubs to direct balls to holes in the ground!
*To view reviews of the disc golf course visit the link below*
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=4568&mode=rev#36863
Hours: Spring/Summer 8 a.m. - 7 p.m., Fall/Winter 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Fees:
- Entry: $2 per vehicle carrying up to eight people and $1 each additional person
- Boat Launch: $5 per boat trailer
- Annual Pass: $50 individual, $100 family *Click link below for Annual Pass Form*
http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/resources/forms/AnnualPass.pdf
- Shelter Rental: $40/day, small shelter; $70/day, medium shelter
- Campsites: $24 per night, $18 per night for seniors
- Camping is on a first come, first served basis; Reservations are not accepted. *Campers must register with the office before taking a campsite*
- Conoe & Kayay Rentals - $25 for 4 hours
Activities & Features: Bird watching, Voleyball, Boardwalk, Overlook, Disc Golf, Equestrian Trail, Hiking, Nature Study, Picnic Area, Playground, Unique topography.
Reviews, get directions and information Edward Medard Park.
