War Veterans' Memorial Park

History/Orientation: War Veterans' Park consists of 122 acres, located on Boca Ciega Bay with access to the Gulf of Mexico. The park was donated to the county as surplus federal property in 1963. It is built adjacent to Bay Pines Veterans' Hospital grounds and official dedication was April 1974.

Features: A focal point of the park is the landscaped Memorial Center featuring five plaques with official armed forces flags that commemorate each of the military branches of the United States. Also featured at the Memorial Center is an equatorial sundial, designed and produced by the Sundial Division of Erickson Memorial Company, Denver, Colorado. It was engineered exactly for the latitude and longitude of this site. The dial is made of granite and the gnomon (pronounced NO-mun) is made of stainless steel. The sundial is actually a miniature earth.
The Army tank is a 4-man tank of the Korean War era (also known as the "Walker Bulldog" for Gen. Walter Walker) from Letterkenny Army Depot in Chambersburg, PA, manufactured in 1953 by Cadillac/GMC. US Rep. Wm. C. Cramer acquired this surplus 45,000-pound tank in 1970 for display at the park.

Facilities include: Five picnic shelters (may be reserved up to one year in advance.) Wedding ceremonies are popular especially at the Point's Shelter #5 overlooking Boca Ciega Bay, providing a showcase photo op. Six-lane boat ramp--lighted for 24-hour use with 112 parking spaces. Two playgrounds (2 - 5 yrs and 5 - 12 yrs) ideal for birthdays; grills, picnic tables, water fountains, a one- mile unpaved trail, and restrooms provide pleasant, relaxing amenities for approximately 750,000 visitors each year.

Safety & protection for all: Pets and service dogs are welcome--must be on 6' leash. Wildlife (including raccoons, water fowl, hawks) is protected--may not be hunted, harassed, or fed. It is illegal to remove, damage, or destroy plants. Intoxicants and firearms are prohibited.

9600 Bay Pines Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33708
(727) 549-6165
Park website–includes audio tour

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