Fred Ball Park

Fred Ball Park, formerly known as Palma Ceia Spring Park, is a small public park located off Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, Florida. The park offers visitors a peaceful green space with views of Tampa Bay.

The centerpiece of Fred Ball Park is a natural spring and fountain. In the early 1900s, the Palma Ceia Spring was known for its supposed healing properties, with people coming to bathe in its waters. Today, the spring feeds a decorative fountain in the park.

The park is named after Fred Ball, who served Tampa and Hillsborough County for 24 years in local government positions. Ball was instrumental in persuading the county to purchase the spring property in 1947 and convert it into a public park.

Fred Ball Park features shaded areas with mature trees, grassy lawns, and benches where visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery. The park's location along Bayshore Boulevard provides convenient access for walkers, joggers and cyclists using the adjacent waterfront trail.

While small in size, Fred Ball Park offers a tranquil natural setting and glimpse of Tampa's history as a local gathering spot centered around a natural spring. The park continues to serve as a quiet green space for the community along the popular Bayshore Boulevard corridor.