Aqua Bowl Park

"Taylor Park is located on Aqua Bowl Lake, a nine acre reservoir. The land the park sits on used to be the site of TECO Gas and People's Gas. In 1998, arsenic, iron, manganese, ammonia, and other chemicals were detected in the groundwater and soil at dangerous levels. Some chemicals originated in the city's storage and recycling yard while materials used to build the baseball field may have contained arsenic. Buried debris was also discovered in the soil possibly dating back to the 1940's when this land was as a dump. In 1957 the plot named Gravel Pit Number Nine was renamed the Aqua Bowl when the quarry was filled with water and a baseball diamond was constructed on the park's southeast side. For decades people swam in the lake and played on the arsenic filled baseball field. The lake was filled with game fish in the 1960's that people ate and continue to eat today. Discovery of he contamination in 1998 caused the 22 acre park to shut down it's baseball field, a daycare center, a tot lot, and a city storage yard used for maintenance and recycling. All that is left is a passive park along Aqua Bowl Lake. The city didn't have the money to clean up the park and make it safe so they left everything closed until the sold it to a developer for 21 million dollars in 2017 with development rights for 2,300 residential units and 2.5 million square feet of commercial space. On the surface this park looks like a thriving ecosystem with birds, iguanas, turtles, raccoons, and big-mouthed bass. This has become a popular fishing spot. Fishing was still allowed even though the city new about the contamination. They determined the pollution is not harmful to humans but I definitely would not want eat any fish from this lake. This parcel has been a real headache for the city who has been fighting with residents who wanted a cleanup and the park restored. I don't think most people know what lurks beneath the surface at this idyllic looking park."

"Very nice calm place to just sit and have lunch.different type of birds and ducks there.very few parking spot."

"Beautiful spot to chill and it's fairly quiet. There's parking space available if you drive and benches to sit if you don't. There's wildlife animals such as ducks, birds, iguanas, and fishes."

"Thanks Aqua Bowl Park, beautiful place to enjoy all famly with the nature, also you can practice kayak, sail, yoga, meditation, recreation, and BBQ. Every weekend many people enjoy the fresh place, clean up the area around the lake must be a great look for a nice place."

"Nice place to come after work to unwind, or any time of day to see the ducks, birds, and iguanas roaming. Parking is adequate. It's always clean. If you love feeling close to nature, you have to check this place out. It's small, but its worth at least one visit. If you go once, you'll definitely want to return."