Lake Rogers Park Explained

Lake Rogers Park
Location:Lake Rogers Park, 9010 North Mobley Road, Odessa, Florida 33556 Hillsborough County, Florida, United States
Nearest City:Odessa, Florida
Map:Florida#USA
Coordinates:28.11°N -82.587°W
Area:272acres
Open:1999

Lake Rogers Park is a 272acres park and preserve with a 2.25miles trail in Odessa, Florida.

Nature

The area includes pine flatwoods and oak hammocks.[1]

The trail beds include sand, grass, dirt, and leaf litter. The park is accessible from a parking area at 9010 North Mobley Road, west of Gunn Highway.

There are areas for fishing (including catfish and catch-and-release for bass) and areas for canoe/ kayak launching. An offshoot trail leads to an overlook on neighboring Raleigh Lake.

The lakes provide a foraging habitat for wading birds, bald eagles, and osprey. Other animals include raccoons, opossum, and otter.

Features

There are several benches, picnic areas, grills, side trails, and a nature trail. Signage highlights some of the plant and animal inhabitants.[2]

The main trail is the Red Trail, which encircles the lake most closely. Side trails include the Blue Trail, which also encircles the lake but less closely, and the Green Trail, which goes for approximately a mile on the northern and eastern boundaries of the park before connecting back to the other trails.

History

In 1987 the City of St. Petersburg leased the land to Hillsborough County for "passive natural resource-based recreation". However, the park did not open until 1999, when the Hillsborough County Commissioners provided the park with an operating budget. The official opening was in March 2000.[3]

Parking

As of 2020, there is a charge of $2 per vehicle. If attendant is unavailable, machines will take cash or credit.[4]

Notes and References

  1. http://events.tboextra.com/odessa_fl/venues/show/1138546-lake-rogers-park# Lake Rogers (sic)
  2. Web site: Keystone Civic Association . 31 July 2022.
  3. Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department flier
  4. Web site: Lake Rogers Conservation Park . 30 December 2020.