Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park

The Play List: Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park

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Let’s explore a huge, beautiful waterfront park in downtown Tampa right across the Hillsborough River from the David A. Straz Center for the Performing Arts. An easy pick for your summer bucket list, Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park has a ton to offer families.

If you’ve never been before, this 25-acre park could be a bit daunting with its multiple parking lots, but don’t let that keep you away! This gem of a spot is perfect to fill a morning or afternoon and just right for a home-packed picnic under the shade or a stroll along the water.

Julian B. Lane playground climbing structure photo credit Zoe Joiner

Featuring six tennis courts, two pickleball courts, basketball courts and a multipurpose sports field for football, soccer and lacrosse, Julian B. Lane also has a picnic area with five shelters and a NEOS® Playground system, which my 5-year-old loves.

There are dog parks for large and small breeds on the north end of the park as well as a boat dock for water taxi stops, rowing practice and kayak launches. This is also where the gorgeous Tampa River Center event space is, not to mention an event pavilion and a giant lawn for festivals, including most recently Gasparilla Music Fest (which we’re hopeful will return soon!).

The best part though is of course, the playground and splash pad! Best for children ages 2 to 12, the playground has some of the most fun climbing structures in town. The splash pad is a huge hit as well and has a big tipping splash bucket and water guns.

Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park

The playground is split up into a little and bigger kids’ sections and is surrounded by a huge fence with entrances on either end (so don’t try to enter through the middle). It’s as shaded as it gets for a Tampa playground, with natural cover from trees and canopies overhead. It also has a nice view of the park looking down towards the river and downtown. The only thing it’s missing is swings!

 

Know Before You Go:

The park is situated just north of the University of Tampa and Tampa Preparatory School on North Boulevard, right before you get to the I-275 highway overpass. There are two main parking lots: one by the basketball courts on the northern edge (W. Laurel St.), and another at the southern edge of the park closest to Tampa Prep (on W. Cass St.).

We prefer parking in the southern lot since it’s next to the NEOS® Playground.

The playground is smack dab in the middle of the park in between both parking lots so it doesn’t matter which lot you park at. You might notice a third parking lot, but it’s for the Recreation Center which offers camps for kids ages 5 and up.

 

Park Info & Hours:

1001 N. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33607
Picnic Shelter Reservations – 813-274-8184

Tampa River Center – 813-274-7452
402 W. Laurel St., Tampa, FL 33607

7a.m. to 10 p.m.

tampa.gov/parks-and-recreation/featured-parks/riverfrontpark

 

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Photo credit: Zoe Joiner | Originally published in the July 2025 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.