Discover Hidden History and Scenic Beauty at Philippe Park

When we checked the weather on Saturday, it called for rain the next day, a real damper on our plans to visit Philippe Park in Safety Harbor.  Florida weather is…well, Florida weather. A forecast of rain rarely means a day full of rain. As it turns out,  the clouds pushed through overnight, and the day dawned clear and sunny.  Florida blue skies spanned from horizon to horizon with a short stack of clouds way off in the distance. We packed the cameras and headed out to visit Safety Harbor’s Philippe Park.

Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay area maintains some of the best parks in the state.  The waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay surround the peninsula that makes up Pinellas County. In 1948, Pinellas County began acquiring land through purchases and donations, and creating free parks for the county residents and visitors. Spanning 122 acres, the county acquired the land that became Philippe Park in 1948. It is located on the east coast of Pinellas County along the western shores of Old Tampa Bay in a small town called Safety Harbor.

Philippe Park offers lots of activities for visitors and is one of the most popular things to do in Safety Harbor.  Like many of the county parks, this one offers a huge variety of activities:

• Historic Native American temple mound
• Boat ramp
• Picnic pavilions for group functions
• Paved trails for walking and jogging
• Playgrounds
• Kayak launch spots
• Ball field
• Bird watching (including the popular Great Horned Owl family)
• Wildlife viewing

History at Philippe Park in Safety Harbor

The park holds historical significance for three reasons. It’s the site of a large and important Native American village, likely the “capital” of the Tocobaga tribe which lived along the western side of Tampa Bay from present-day Bradenton to present-day Crystal River. It’s the site, or very near the site, of a Spanish mission dating to 1566. And it’s the site of Odet Philippe’s homestead in the mid-1800s.

The Tocobaga Village (900-late 1600s)

One of the most important things to see in Philippe Park is the Native American mound within the park’s boundaries. Temple mounds like the one found in Philippe Park can be found in many coastal locations in Florida. There were at least 14 between Tampa and Sarasota. Though many mounds were destroyed in the early 1900s, seven Native American mounds still stand in the Tampa Bay area.

The native Tocobaga tribes constructed mounds in three distinct varieties – burial mounds, the midden (or trash pile), and ceremonial mounds.  The mound in Philippe Park was a ceremonial mound though experts believe many middens were also located throughout the park.  Philippe Park’s temple mound stands approximately 20 feet tall and is approximately 100 feet at each side at the base.  A ceremonial building likely stood on the flat top of the mound, overlooking upper Tampa Bay.

The ceremonial mound at Philippe Park  in Safety Harbor overlooks Old Tampa Bay offering beautiful views of the water and surrounding park. The village which once surrounded the mound was probably the “capital” of the Tocobago civilization which lived in Pinellas County from 900 to the late 1700s.  In 1966 the mound was designated an historic site by the National Park Service and is known as the Safety Harbor Site. The Tocobaga feasted on the abundant oysters in the nearby shallow water, and over the years the discarded oyster shells grew into the large mound. 

Spanish Mission (1567-1568)

In 1565, Pedro Menendez de Aviles established the first settlement at St. Augustine, a settlement which would become the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the United States. After the establishment of St. Augustine, Menendez set out to find a waterway across Florida. In 1566 or perhaps 1567, he brokered a peace treaty between the Calusa of southwest Florida and the Tocobaga of the central Florida Gulf coast. The negotiations purportedly took place at the Tocobaga village in present-day Philippe Park.

After these negotiations, Menendez had his men erect a blockhouse near the Tocobaga village and left a Jesuit priest and 30 soldiers behind. Their mission was to continue searching for the cross-Florida waterway and to convert the Native Americans to Christianity. While some Spanish stories and expeditions are still mired in mystery, the many Spanish artifacts dating from this era and found near in the area tell archaeologists that there was definitely a Spanish settlement of some sort.

In 1568, one of Menendez’s ships returned to resupply the settlement. However, the Tocobaga had killed all but three of the soldiers and burned the settlement to the ground. The mission was abandoned.

Saint Helena Plantation (1842-1869)

Things to Do at Philippe Park

Philippe Park’s 122 acres is filled with activities and fun for the entire family. One of Pinellas County’s most popular parks, the parking areas are often filled on weekends. Cyclists follow cars on the park’s roads; walkers and joggers use the paved and unpaved paths along the waterfront. A visit to Philippe Park can turn into a whole day adventure with a little planning. Here are a few of the things to do at Philippe Park.

Walking, Jogging, and Cycling

The park is a little over a mile in length. If one combines the many unpaved paths, paved paths, and park roads, it’s possible to get a good walk or jog in. Cyclists often pass through the park which has entrances at the north and south end for use by bicycles and pedestrians. The south end is not open to cars, however.

Explore Upper Tampa Bay by Kayak

At the south end of the park, a small beach and several breaks in the mangroves provide places to launch kayaks, canoes, and standup paddleboards. I’ve even seen jet skis launching from the small beach area. From here, paddlers can explore Upper Tampa Bay and the Oldsmar and Safety Harbor waterfronts.

Boating

There’s a small boat ramp that gives you access to the bay. If you’re lucky, you might spot dolphins playing in the water or catch sight of some of the many bird species that frequent the area. This is the only place in the park where there’s a fee, and it’s a small parking fee.

Wildlife Viewing & Bird Watching

Philippe Park is full of wildlife as are the surrounding waters. You might catch a glimpse of dolphins playing in the bay, manatees seeking warmer waters, or racoons scampering among the trees. Within the mangroves, you might crabs or little fish looking for safety. And there are birds everywhere. Egrets, herons, and spoonbills love to fish in the creek at the south end of the park. But one of the biggest attractions is the great horned owl family which calls the park home. When there’s an owlet in the nest you’ll know because of all the wildlife photographers gathered a safe distance from the nest, cameras on tripods to capture all the cuteness.

Enjoy a Picnic or a Group Gathering

Philippe Park is also ideal for picnics. There are tons of picnic spots with grills and individual picnic tables, perfect for a family cookout or a quiet afternoon with a book. Or you might opt to rent one of the covered pavilions which are the perfect spot for a group gathering, such as a birthday party, wedding reception, church BBQ, or family reunion.

Enjoy the Views

If nothing else, Philippe Park is a great place to relax with beautiful views. Whether you choose to do that alone or with a group, sitting under the oaks or walking the paths, one thing is certain – Philippe Park is a gem among the county’s parks.

Visiting Philippe Park in Safety Harbor

If you’re in the area and plan to visit Philippe Park, make a day of it. Bring the kayaks or paddle boards, sand toys, lunch, and even your dogs. It’s easy to spend the entire day here. Or visit for a few hours before heading south to Safety Harbor for a late lunch or early dinner at one of the award-winning restaurants in downtown Safety Harbor. However you choose to spend your day, here’s how to find the park and other information.

• Address: 2525 Philippe Pkwy, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
• Hours: Daily 7am to sunset. Closed the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
• Fee: free, except the boat ramp
• Philippe Park Website

The Wrap-Up: Philippe Park

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