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1. Do any of the parks have parking fees?

Parking fees apply at the following parks:

• Cypress Forest Spray Park (650 Pine Ave. N.) - $5 per day per car between April and October
• Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve South Support Area Beach (807 Shore Drive E.) -$5 per day per car

Oldsmar residents can purchase annual parking passes for $2.68 to avoid paying daily parking fees. The resident will need to bring their driver’s license and vehicle registration with matching addresses to Cypress Forest Recreation Center in order to purchase.

2. What is a rec card? How do I get one?

Residents and non-residents can purchase a recreation card and enjoy classes and activities for a lower price than non-recreation card holder. Residents just need to bring in their driver’s license and Oldsmar water bill to prove their residency. Residents and non-resident applicants will need to fill out our application form and pay the applicable fee. We have an interlocal agreement with Safety Harbor, Dunedin and Tarpon Springs that allows those residents the ability to act as Oldsmar residents; just bring in your valid resident rec card from one of those cities and we will honor it as our own.

3. How can I receive alerts on sport field closures?

Leisure Services uses the RAINOUT LINE to notify subscribers of sport field closures at Sheffield Park and the Oldsmar Sports Complex.

You can check field status any time by calling (813) 448-2255 and follow the options to find your park.

You can also sign up for email or text alerts via RainoutLIne.com.

Additionally, they offer Android and Apple mobile phone applications.

4. What types of programs or special events does the city offer?

The city offers a wide variety of special events and fitness, senior, children, and adult programs year-round. To find out more, see Programs and Online Registration or Leisure Services Calendar.

5. How do I sign up for an activity or program?

You can sign up for a program at the Cypress Forest Recreation Center or the State Street Center. When you visit our site, staff will ask you to fill out a Recreation Form.

6. Why are there 2 sets of rates for programs?

The majority of city programs will have 2 rates - 1 for recreation card holders and 1 for non-recreation card holders, generally 50% higher than the recreation card rate.

7. Is alcohol permitted in parks?

Alcohol is not permitted in our parks. If you wish to have an event with alcohol in our parks or facilities with alcohol, you will need to contact the Leisure Services offices at 813-749-1267 for the permitting process. 

8. Are pets permitted in the parks?

Pets are permitted in certain designated areas currently, but we ware working on revising our pet policy that should be updated after the first of the year to be a bit more liberal in allowing pets in other areas. We currently have off leash dog parks at the Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve Janice Miller Bark Park and Sheffield Park.

9. What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept cash, check, VISA or MasterCard for any payments you make with the Leisure Services Department.

10. What is the best way to stay up-to-date with new program offerings and events?

The best ways to stay up-to-date on all of our new programs and events are:

• Grab a copy of the City's tri-annual publication - Experience Oldsmar
  • Available at City Hall, Library, Cypress Forest Recreation Center
• Sign up to receive Leisure Services Newsletters - CLICK HERE to subscribe
• Call Cypress Forest Recreation Center (813-749-1152)
• Call State Street Center (813-749-1155) 
•  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram
• Check out our Podcasts

11. Why am I not considered a resident of the City of Oldsmar if I live in East Lake Woodlands?

East Lake Woodlands residents voted against being annexed in as part of the City of Oldsmar. Though these residents have an Oldsmar address, they are considered residents of unincorporated Pinellas County and do not pay taxes to the City of Oldsmar. Therefore, East Lake Woodlands families are not considered residents of the City of Oldsmar.

12. When is the Spray Park open?

Our Cypress Forest Spray Park is open April through November. A $5 per day parking fee is applied at this time. Residents can purchase a parking pass to alleviate those parking fees.

13. Do I need a reservation to use a picnic shelter at one of the parks? How do I get one?

While a reservation is not required to use one of the picnic shelters at our parks, it is highly encouraged. This will confirm that you have a shelter for your event with less worry that it will be taken by someone else who got there first. To rent a shelter, please visit one of our locations (Cypress Forest Recreation Center or State Street Center) with a $50 deposit and fill out the application. For more information on pricing, please see our Rental Information page.

14. Are programs open to non-residents?

YES! We love when non-residents join our programs. As a non-resident, you have two choices: 1) You can pay a slightly higher program fee (usually 50% higher than the rec card fee) or 2) you can purchase a non-resident rec card and enjoy our programs for the rec card fee.