Funny how a name can influence your perceptions. I decided I wasn’t going to like Lettuce Lake long before I got there. I mean, who names a park after a vegetable?
I was wrong. It’s a beautiful, quiet place – a feast for the eyes and a respite from noise and bustle. If you’re a thinker, it’s a perfect spot to perch on one of the numerous benches along the boardwalk and contemplate life.
I’ve been there twice. The first time, the observation tower was closed so I walked the boardwalk and called it a day.
The most interesting part of that trip occurred when I found a picnic area on a cement slab near the water’s edge and sat down to see what I might locate if I sat perfectly still and listened and watched. Sure enough, I noticed a tiny ripple in the water that seemed to be moving in my direction. Turns out it was a baby alligator that stopped about 6 feet from me, only the eyes visible above the water, and watched me for about ten minutes.
Perhaps he was trying to figure out if he could take me . . . Not.
On my second visit, I climbed the short flight of stairs to the top of the observation tower to get the cover photo of the lake. Back down on the boardwalk, I stopped to take in the myriad shades of green and mysterious, other-worldly nooks tucked away among the trees.
This time, I stopped to listen to the insects and nearby bird songs and to focus on the world around me. That proved fruitful. Those critters can be elusive, and they camouflage well. If you’re in a hurry, this isn’t the place for you.
I grew up in a small Texas town where I kept rabbits in the backyard and waded through creeks in pursuit of turtles. On summer nights, we’d toss hand-made quilts on the front lawn and nearby neighbors would join us for fried chicken (everything was fried in Texas in my childhood), potato salad and homemade peach or strawberry ice cream. After eating, we’d lie back on the quilts and watch the stars. Idyllic. And quiet. I felt that same “simple things” lure here.
Lettuce Lake is located just outside the Tampa city limits, directly across from Telecom Park. The address is 6940 E. Fletcher Avenue. It opens at 8 AM 7 days a week and closes at 6 PM during the Fall/Winter and 7 PM Spring/Summer. The entrance fee is $2 per car (maximum 8 people per vehicle). Pets and bicycles are not permitted on the boardwalk so if you’re in a wheelchair, you should be able to complete the loop. It’s 3,500 feet.
Whatever you do, be darn sure to wear sunscreen and a hat. If I were you, I’d think about sneaking along some tissues or paper towels as well because, trust me, you will sweat. I have a friend whose comment to everything I say about the variable weather is, “This is Florida.” So although you can’t be sure if the rain clouds are going to dump on you or not, you can always count on muggy and hot. The Visitor Center has air conditioning and restrooms, so if you don’t feel like completing the boardwalk loop, you can always hang out there and birdwatch. In any case, I found Lettuce Lake to be a peaceful, beautiful place and I’ll go back.
Lisa Browder 
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