This is an all ages, all ability, open park and playground. The location is great because it is in a neighborhood yet close to the highway. There are plenty of shade trees, and there are a few areas to picnic as well as different playground areas if you feel one is too crowded for your little one. We went to the larger playground area with my grandson, and he loved it. There are swingsets for all ages and abilities, which is very nice for all. The pirate ship has a great musical area as most kids like to bang on things that they can control the sounds. There are plenty of open areas to play ball or just run from tree to tree like the squirrels. My only complaint is that the park could be a little better maintained for trash. There was random garbage that people should have thrown away, but they didn't, so it made the park look a little unkempt. Parking is plentiful but not in abundance in any one area, so be prepared to park and walk to the playground on a busy weekend or after school. read more

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This is a great local park with wide grassy areas for kids to run around. My local park was all booked up for my daughter's birthday weekend, but there were picnic shelters available at MacFarlane Park, so we decided to check it out. We rented a "small" shelter that had 24 person capacity. An all day rental was about $27, a bargain. The park is pretty big with multiple areas where you can park, so make sure you look at a park map to get an idea of where you should park to be closest to where you want to go. The playground looked like a lot of fun, but our shelter was closer to the tennis courts, and the kids ended up just running up and down the hill, which was fine with me! The area looked well-maintained, and the shelters were in better shape than the picnic shelters in most of the South Tampa parks. read more

My review is for the playground. I love that it has so many things for the kids to play with. There are some sections that weren't available to play with when we were here. If those things get fixed, this would be a 5 star park. The parking lot isn't big but there are several places to park here. Looks like there's a trail around the whole park. I saw a basketball court and a racket ball area as well. read more

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This is a great big park with tennis courts, handball / racquet ball (I think) walled area. A community center. Large grassy area. A fitness trail. Swing and small playground area. And a large playground area with musical sculptures and climbing aparati as well as more swings. Bathrooms. Water fountains. Picnic shelters. There are some homeless type peeps and it's not as new and fancy as Julian Lane, which is well worth visiting and on the Hillsborough River. But this is a large family friendly neighborhood park with some good amenities and places to be outside among grass, trees, and laughing childrens. read more

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A friend and I dropped by Macfarlane Park last minute. As we set up beneath the gazebo, the clouds began to drizzle, which set an interesting mood. We played music and danced to two songs. This park helped us to return to a calmer place. Thank you. I intend to return. read more

Macfarlane Park - stroll - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This is a classic park space in Tampa. At one point, West Tampa was a separate city, merged with Tampa in 1925. This was the 'Central Park' of that separate city... a place platted and developed by none other than Hugh Macfarlane. There used to be a graceful brick school across the street - the School Board took it down due to foundation issues - and build a hideous stucco monstrosity in its place, making the view from the park way less nice. The School Board frequently does terrible things like that. The center of the park has a wonderful hill that I used to run up and down when I was a kid. Great trees cover this space - a space that has served its community for near a century. read more

Courts are open till 10pm every night, with lighted outdoor racquetball courts and hard court tennis available. I find it to be safe after dark, but still daytime is better if you aren't adventurous with your safety. Macfarlane Park is currently one of six parks within the city that offers shelter rentals. For more information about these or other shelters within the City of Tampa, please call the Parks and Recreation's Main Office at 813-274-8184. It is home to the David Barksdale Senior Citizen Center and Freedom Playground Foundation Tampa's first universally accessible playground. It is also home to the Barksdale Senior Citizen Center and Freedom Playground, the city's first universally accessible playground. LOCATION: 1700 N. MacDill Ave. Tampa, FL 33607 PHONE: 813-274-8184 read more

The park is a little run down, but it's not that bad. I haven't spent much time doing anything other than playing racquetball. The courts are in pretty good condition, for a public park. (To be honest, though, I was pleased just to find a place to play racquetball for free.) I noticed they have tennis courts and a playground, and they appear to be in use every time I go to play racquetball. Also, I've never noticed a shortage of parking--it's free and plentiful enough. read more

The city has done a lot with this park and it is very impressive. The entire park is centered around this pirate ship platform with plenty to climb on and plenty to boost children's imagination. They have multiple music areas built within the play area including mallets to hit against drums or xylophone setups. The play area is definitely also one of the larger spreads I have seen when compared to other Tampa parks. They also have one of the better age appropriate playgrounds for the small kids (under 3). It can be a struggle to find the smaller playgrounds without areas where a toddler may fall out of openings. They seemed to have a few homeless people but they weren't close by the children's play area necessarily and nobody seemed to be a threat at any point. I wouldn't stay too late to be safe. They have a restroom onsite as well although it wasn't very clean. I wouldn't have expected as much normally from a public park and would have tried to avoid it anyway but when a toddler needs to go, you go. read more

This park is awesome for kids. So much to explore and do. My toddler pretty much ran the whole entire time finding all of the different elements of the park. Wasn't sketchy to me. read more

This is your old school type of park. It has more dirt than grass, a see saw, a ring around game & some of the other old favorites. I have started keeping a change in my car & if I pass a park or some outdoor area that looks good, I just chanel & give it a try. Yes, I had been here numerous times before, but not in many years. I am sorry to say it has digress ed a bit & appears somewhat distressed. I enjoyed a lovely walk around the park. I will definitely caution you while you are at this park. Stay in the open areas where other patrons can see you & DO NOT STAY CLOSE TO DUSK. Prior to leaving, I started to get some sketchy vibes, trying to enjoy an afternoon walk. Not cool. What's a girl to do? Keep your head up, eyes open & alert while remaining in the public focal area's. read more

Totally redone, looks awesome. Cool features, sets them aside from other parks. Musical section. Play house. More shade than a lot of other parks. Plenty of sitting areas, unlike other parks. Downside: twice now, they've been pressure washing and kids couldn't play...they were pressure washing at the time when the school across the street let out... lots of kids go there after school. Maybe the pressure washing can be done in the morning when there's less kids there. read more

Macfarlane Park - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Having to entertain a toddler is no easy job unless you have access to parks such as these. Not too far away from town center this park offers something for all ages. From baby swings to tennis and racquet ball courts. You may also reserve some of the gazebos for personal events. Some transient population is present, but they pretty much keep to themselves. Park is kept clean. read more

Macfarlane Park - Adult swings, musical features, in all an awesome park. - Parks Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Have enjoyed this neighborhood park repeatedly with kids Not heavily used, but several areas with playground equipment for tots and young kids, lots of open space and shaded rest areas, picnic pavilions, grills, tennis and racquetball courts. Always well maintained and repaired, with no significant problem with transients camping out or teens loitering. Plenty of parking except for major events like the Flavor of Tampa Annual food & music event, which this park successfully hosted in 2012, offering much more and better space and parking than the traditional location at the West Tampa Convention Center. read more

Racquet ball, tennis courts, large open field, track for walking, picnic tables, shaded play areas, sand boxes, musical Instruments, pirate ship and lots of smiling I families. This park was revitalized and was beautifully done. A great place to bring the family read more

It is a good place to get workout in early because it is not busy yet. With a baseball field right across the street, the area can get crowded fast on a weekend day. Nice place to reserve a spot for a family event or gathering. read more

I took my kids here for the first time today. It was very busy with lots of peopole but there was so much for them to explore. I loved the sandbox (although I have a love/hate relationship with sand and kids) and will bring sand/beach toys next time. I have a toddler, preschooler and school-aged child and all of them enjoyed themselves. We brought our lunch and were able to find several shaded tables to sit and eat. I mostly love that there is lots of seating for parents/guardians to sit while watching the little ones. Although we're trying to check out several Tampa-area parks, we'll definitely be back to Macfarlane! read more

I recently went to the Taste of West Tampa event here and experienced the park for the first time. Didn't realize it was so big, and my step kids really enjoyed the playground afterwards. read more

Great park. I like the fact that it has racquetball and tennis courts and is open after dark which in my experience is a rarity in Tampa for whatever reason. read more

The part rangers here are not dog friendly. While my friends and I were visiting the park with our dogs we were told to get them out of the pavilion and tie them to a tree away from the pavilion. I'm sure that would fall somewhere between animal cruelty and stupidity. We drove to the front of the park and seen two people with their dogs in the pavilion and the park ranger was over at the next pavilion and said nothing to the owners of those dogs. In short, I would not reccomend this park to those of you who love and respect your dogs. I love my dog and would never tie her to a tree. That was sad instruction from a park ranger employee. read more