"Discovering" this new (to me!!) hidden gem illustrates why as much as I'm turning into a "lone wolf" these days (or so it seems...) every now and then, ESPECIALLY when you're spending time with locals, it PAYS to follow their lead and go where they suggest. My SIL has lived in the area for years, and knowing how much I love exploring nature near and far, she recommended a visit to this gem of a park only 10-15 minutes from her home. PERFECT choice!! We didn't have a ton of time, but squeezed in a FINE early morning walk around the lake, and I confess I slowed her down taking TONS of pictures (as usual...) because even though it's far from "wilderness," it's a great spot to see lots of nature and wildlife (no alligators this visit!!) and get away from the hustle and bustle normally part of my visit down to the Clearwater area. So many beautiful birds!! There's a well-marked trail around the lake, passing by picnic areas, playgrounds, disc golf courses, and more. Wish I had more time to explore, but at least I know where to go to "decompress" next time I'm down in this area. Definitely worth a visit... Enjoy!! read more

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A beautiful park where nature abounds. A great place to spend a day bird watching or just hiking the woods. A small piece of paradise. read more

John S Taylor Park - American Goldfinch - Parks Near Me - Largo, Florida

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You need to experience Taylor Park in Largo- I always feel closer to nature here, surrounded by all the trees. Alligator look out and watching is a must in the low portion and the bridge. Do not approach them! There's also a disc golf course on the western side of the park with ample parking and easy access for ADA folks, like me! I do use this park to start my bike rides on the Pinellas Trail and that's another reason to just go out and enjoy it. It's right next to the Pinellas Trail and good to mention the "Rails to Trails Conservancy" here! So glad to be a small part! There's a huge playground for children of all ages and a place to eat a nice picnic lunch underneath a nice open shelter. It's well patrolled by the friendly park ranger team and they are always out cleaning and repairing the park. Largo PD and the PCSO drives through a few times a day and this keeps the place quiet and calm. Beautiful place to calm the soul! Just Breathe! read more

John S Taylor Park - My "Map my Ride" photo of my daily ride through Taylor and Walsingham parks! - Parks Near Me - Largo, Florida

Had a nice time again today. Love this park. It is a nice bike ride loop around. Lots of gators to look at. Great place for a pub sub read more

John S Taylor Park - in nature - Parks Near Me - Largo, Florida

We went there hoping to see some alligators! Although, we didn't see any, but it was beautiful! Very nice and long trail around the lake. Lots of benches to sit on. We saw beautiful birds and some turtles! Dog friendly park. read more

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Came here for a wedding AND a rehearsal here (shelter #5 if you were curious). It had lots of seating, plenty of parking, and a great view by the lake. It was a bit of the ways in the park, so keep that in mind if you're driving. Just keep going if you haven't found it yet. The park also has some fun other stuff, like a trail that's about a mile that stretches around the entire lake which I got to walk. There's also a disc golf course, which I didn't get to try. I saw signs that said to watch for disc golfers but I didn't see too many, even though the weather was nice. read more

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Best place but they should stock the pond with more bass to be honest but love the place read more

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OMG! John S. Taylor Park is just awesome! It's a perfect example of the beauty of Florida. It's not located off a major road. So, you really have to know where you're going to get there. You need to go south on Missouri/Seminole Rd. in Largo. Then, go west on 8th Ave. SW. Just past Clearwater-Largo Rd. it's on the south side of the street. Overall, the picnic areas were spotlessly clean as well as the parking areas. There are lots of picturesque sitting areas next to Taylor Lake. There were many walkers/hikers/dog walkers out on the day we stopped by. If you haven't found John S. Taylor Park yet, you should hunt it down! read more

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My nephew turned one on Saturday so friends & family enjoyed a lovely day at Pavillion 5 celebrating this precious little boy. Considering it was just few days after Eta came through, the park was clear of debris. The Pavillion was clean and perfect for our get-together. The caterer was a bit late but with snacks set out and the bouncy house for the kids all went well. The lake was beautiful l even with the large alligator 'hiding' near the shore. Lots of other folks were enjoying their day picnicking and playing freebie golf. The roads are well maintained however the Pavillions could be identified better. All in all, this is a nice park. read more

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Very nice park. Shaded parking. A lot of the trail is shaded. Benches along the way if needed. I think the whole park is a mile or so long. They have a disc golf course. Dog and bike friendly. Also, free! read more

John S Taylor Park - Parks Near Me - Largo, Florida

I've always loved coming to this park, it's nice and shaded and perfect for BBQ's or picnics. It's great for dogs, for walks and even has a bike trail! There are so many things to love about this park and it's definitely one of my top 10 in the Tampa bay due to cleanliness, activities and family-dog friendly places. Rarely do I ever see trash pile up or the grass not being cut. I love the parking here because there's so many shaded areas to park at so you don't have to worry about going back to a super hot car. Also, the picnic shelters are generous! They are huge and the grills are always clean to use and I mean, I could go on! I haven't had any issues with gators yet that I've been there in the last 5 years so I can't comment on that but I just know that I love this area and park! read more

I write this after living around taylor park since 1985,the place is a breeding ground for very large alligators who stalk all mamals that come within 50 yards of the water,plenty of dogs have been dragged into the water while the owner was holding the leash,i was there a couple weeks ago and was stalked by a gator,see photo ,there is a large alligator in it at waters edge,iam very surprised there has not been multiple human fatalities there last time I saw a women pushing a stroller while her other little child was within ten feet of the bank,the lake needs a fence around it,as long as you keep away from the water and leave your pets at home it can be a pleasure amazing how somebody would find this review funny? read more

John S Taylor Park - Parks Near Me - Largo, Florida

Decided to check this place out after all the positive reviews. They wasn't lyin' This is a nice park that circles around a beautiful lake. Lots of wild life, decent parking and a playground for kids. Right across the street in the running/biking trail that now has me searching for a bike to purchase just so I can ride it! The highlights of this park is that its quiet, safe and beautiful. read more

John S Taylor Park - Bailey enjoying the scenery lol - Parks Near Me - Largo, Florida

I love this place. I've been coming here for many years. It's peaceful, quiet and full of wildlife. You can see moorhens, mallards, egrets, alligators, turtles, pelicans (well, I saw one there last week - which surprised me), squirrels, etc etc. There are a pretty decent playgrounds for the kids, walking trail, disc golf, picnic shelters, boat ramp, rest rooms, access to Pinellas Trail, etc. What's great is this place is relatively quiet and very clean. A great place to take photos, relax, read, have a picnice, etc. read more

John S Taylor Park - Taylor Park, Largo, FL - Parks Near Me - Largo, Florida

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Unbelievable park!! Spent hours walking with my dog enjoying the weather and the views! There are multiple places to park and several activities to do. read more

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Water is filthy our wildlife is earing this trash and plastic, they need to constraint on the water just as much on the outside read more

John S Taylor Park - Plastic/ trash in water - Parks Near Me - Largo, Florida

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Named after a former town mayor, this park includes gazebos with picnic tables and rusty iron barbecues, a children's playground, a softball diamond, and a two-mile hiking/jogging/biking trail that encricles a freshwater lake well-stocked for fishing. What I found most surprising was the vast number of towering pines, a tree I always have associated with northern climates. There's some spectacular birdlife here - during our stroll, we saw several egrets and a number of attractive species I was unable to identify - and the squirrels are friendly enough to eat out of your hand. Walking too close to the water's edge could be dangerous, as alligators lurk in the thick vegetation just off-shore. It may get crowded on weekends, but on a Tuesday afternoon it was the perfect place to escape for some peaceful solitude. read more

John S Taylor Park - Parks Near Me - Largo, Florida

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Very nice park! Beautiful lake and walking path around it. They have a disc golf course too. We saw turtles and a huge alligator!! Plenty of parking. Will definitely go again! read more

Great little park right in my neighborhood! Beautiful pond that has lots of wild life - gators, birds, turtles! There is a gorgeous walking path, a play ground for kids and a few seating areas. Also everyone there seems to be super dog friendly with lots of friendly pups! It's well lit and not a lot of "brush", so I feel quite safe walking alone during the day (and with someone else after dark!). This park is perfect for those who enjoy jogging or walking! read more

WOW! ... all I have to say is John S Taylor Park is the definition of what a true park is. It had playgrounds, walking trils, nature, picnic tables, grass is green and most importantly the place is very very quiet. They have some nice places to take pictures. I took my girlfirend to this place and both she and I enjoyed it. I recommend this park to anyone who either lives close to the area or is passing by. This review will self destruct in 5 seconds ... :-) ... read more

Dirty and very unkept. Like something in the bad area of Chicago. Dirty bathroom and garbage cans are full and stink, been there awhile

John S Taylor Park is actually a pretty decent park. If you're looking for a nature preserve, this can be it You likely won't find much in terms of wildlife other than the wildly popular squirrel, some ducks, and maybe a gallinule, but there are other things that it has in its favor. John S Taylor park has a huge lake, with a walking path all around it. This is a great way to get your exercise without being bored of standing around and seeing nothing, like you would at a gym, for example. Fishing is allowed, but swimming is not. There are many people running and walking along that path, as well as walking their dogs. Speaking of dogs, this is a dog-friendly park, but dogs must be leashed and you must be willing to clean up after them. I'm glad this is enforced, the park was clean, read more

I am a big fan of this park. It's spacious and absolutely beautiful. It's a great place to run through, too. My favorite half marathon, the Florida Holiday Halfathon, ends here, but there are lots of other things available such as pavilions and a playground. Parking is aplenty as well. What I like best about this park is the access to the Pinellas Trail which makes it a great place to start a trail ride. read more

Very challenging disc golf course here. However, it is also a very fun challenge. Played here with my family and we loved it. Beware of the water and gators haha. Enjoy it! We certainly did! read more

John S Taylor Park - The front map to the disc golf course at John S. Taylor Park. - Parks Near Me - Largo, Florida

The Disc Golf course here is one of the nicest you will ever see. Professional satellite view type tee signs, benches, and bag posts at every hole. Multiple pin locations ensure your round will likely be different every weekend (or at least change monthly) water come in to play on several holes, and every hole is wooded. The Taylor Park Disc Golf Club, the "Sand Slugs" keep the course current and updated. Come out and play a round... If you've never played... find a club member on the course- I bet they would let you jump in and let you borrow a disc for a round! read more

The Pinellas County Parks and Rec Bureau deserve a job well done for grooming parks in the greater Tampa area to the specs of the Florida tax payer. Located in Largo, Taylor Lake is in no way distinct in the realm of urban habitat. It is a playground for adults, children and nature enthusiasts , whom have the options of fishing, jogging a mile marked 'Vita Course', disk golf and bbq equipped lodges to pass away a lazy Sunday. The South end of the lake is much more verdant; lily pads dot the water surface provide sanctuary and shelter for looming wildlife above and below waters. Birds, fish, turtles, frogs, alligators and even a few humans call Taylor Lake home. I am very happy to have this peaceful recreation area in my back yard. Literally. read more

A beautiful park! Almost had our wedding here, but when we saw a poisonous snake and alligator on shore (and yes we know they could be anywhere) we decided to go to a different park less on the water. I come out here all the time to think and walk off my nerves. This park stays clean most of the time, but like every other park, they could be cleaned a little deeper and more often. read more

If you look at night you can see the alligators opening their mouths in the water. Very pretty park.

Great Park to walk Ride a bike Feed the ducks kinda Small very clean park ....... I'm not sure why I have to leave suck a long review for a park But your Welcome YELP read more

This park was great. It is well kept and a beautiful place to go take pictures. We decided to try this park out after we ate lunch and wanted some nice trails to walk. This park had it all. Well groomed trails, awesome lake, awesome wildlife, and plenty of placed to sit and look at all the awesome things. There was plenty of parking and the trails are wide enough that passing people is not a problem at all. I highly recommend this park to people in the area or people who are just visiting this area. It is beautiful. read more

This was a nice stroll around the water with our little dog. We kept her over to the side just in case something was lurking by the water. This place isn't anything special (when compared to other parks, but a nice park none the less), but a good place for a family to have a picnic or play disc golf. We did see some birds and a small alligator. Highlight: An older gentleman was playing an accordion which made me feel like I was at a carnival. read more

Great place to go for an outing.walks pathways with workout things to do..scenic with fishing and picnic and bbq grills at the covered picnic tables..play area with swings jungle gym and slides for the kids.bathrooms available only some of the time they are usually locked..i saw ppeople playng frisbee disc golf too looked fun.. read more

Been coming here since I was a kid..Every summer my Nonnie and I would wake up early and walk this park trail this has so many memories for me and the scenery hasn't changed a bit..The slides and equipment for children have upgraded of course and they also have workout equipment thru out the trail which is an added bonus. It also has trail access If you want to jump on pinellas county trail. If you bring your paw pal be sure to keep them leashed and on the opposite side of you while walking the lake dogs have been known to get loose and we'll there are gators but you can't blame them owners need to keep pet leashed and be aware of surroundings. Expect to see ducks, fish and gators sometimes even some chickens..You can fish out of certain areas to my knowledge..Great for a barbq, shelters for a birthday party, plenty of benches, even play a sport.. read more

Since i was little I've always visited this park.This park was part of my memories.There's animals,a pretty environment,playgrounds,trails,etc.The park has great views to take pictures too and film videos.It's a nice place to hang out and have a picnic or something. read more

All I can say is that I was here as our Holiday Halfathon started in Madeira Beach and ended at the finish line in Taylor Park! Nice lakes with gators! ;-P Great places to picnic, run, play Frisbee golf, launch boats, and playgrounds all over the place for the kids. One thing I can tell you is that there is definitely a high standard for parks in Pinellas County! I know I will return here. read more

Nice little park for kayaking or canoeing. Seen a few gators, caught a few fish. Even a tilapia of some variety.

It has been many years since I have been to this park, but I have such fond memories of this place. It is one of my more favorite parks. It's lake has ducks, turtles, and alligators. You are likely to see alligators sunning themselves during the hot day. The playground equipment is great for children, and there are lots of hiking and biking trails. read more