All abroad.
Take a ride on down to this whistle stop junction, in the heart of the city at Pinellas County’s Largo Central Park.
This is no ordinary park.
For one thing, it has its very own railroad.
Largo Central Park is home to many amenities — but the thing that’s impossible to miss is the Largo Central Railroad, smack in the middle of the 70-acre public park.
It’s a favorite attraction, certainly for kids and train enthusiasts.
So grab your conductor’s hat and tickets and follow the train whistle down to Largo Central Park and Railroad — it’s definitely worth the trip.
Come on, ride the train
Down south, in Pinellas County, the Largo Central Railroad (LCRR) has been operating since 1991. It’s a full nonprofit with volunteer conductors, workers and volunteers that is open to the public every first weekend of the month.
During those weekends, park visitors can purchase tickets and climb aboard the mini train.
The family friendly, 10-minute ride traverses a 1.2-mile track. Passengers ride through a tunnel, cross a bridge over a pond with a waterfall and travel through wooded areas in the park.
Riding the train is a favorite activity among park visitors.
“We’re usually packed and were even more so before COVID,” said Eric Moulder, vice president of the LCRR. “We’re a popular attraction, so we know what to expect on the first weekend and try to accommodate everyone so they can enjoy our love of railroads as much as we do.
“We’re into trains — just a little bit,” said Moulder, with a laugh.
The railroad even has an actual steam-powered train, which is as impressive as its actual train whistle.
The trains also can be rented out for birthday parties, but Moulder said the train experience is not just for kids.
Plenty of adults come for a quick ride for the experience, as well as having regulars who have special needs, he said.
“It is kid-focused, but we do have people who come out and are adults and they’re either enjoying the park, want to ride the train or both,” he added. “Especially the train enthusiasts, and some clearly have special needs, but their guardians sign the waiver and they come out and just want to ride the train.
“We get quite a few people with special needs, but I think that’s great that there’s something for them to enjoy, and we’ll do whatever we can do to make their ride as enjoyable as anyone else’s.”
A central theme
While it’s true that the park boasts a railroad, it doesn’t have a one-track mind.
The spacious 70-acre Largo Central Park, with a paved trail throughout, offers plenty to do.
There’s the Central Park Performing Arts Center, the James S. Miles & Richard A. Leandri Military Court of Honor, a public library, the Rainbow Rotary Playground and the Historic Largo Feed Store.
The park also embraces history.
Its monuments to veterans and active military are evident with the Court of Honor.
Also, the Largo Feed Store serves not only as a small museum with historic items and artifacts, but also as a meeting place for local organizations and groups.
The paved trail features workout stations, as well as a monument to K-9 officers, while the Rainbow Rotary Playground is sure to be a fun, if not tiring experience for the little ones.
The park also has several pavilions, picnic tables and a large, open play field. The setting is perfect for kids to have fun and for birthday parties to be held.
On board and not bored
Largo Central Park and its railroad is quite the public attraction, open to anyone willing to cross the Howard Frankland Bridge or Courtney Campbell Causeway.
That being said, it is the perfect family friendly or weekend-warrior way to spend an afternoon, especially for those looking for a low-cost outing.
So, if your train of thought is to have some fun — especially if you like trains, history and a little engine that can — a visit to this Pinellas County park will keep you right on track.
Largo Central Park and Railroad
Where: 101 Central Park Drive, in Largo
When: Park hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily. Public rides are offered by the railroad on the first weekend every month, on Saturday 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
Details: This 70-acre recreational park in the heart of Largo features the Central Park Performing Arts Center, the James S. Miles & Richard A. Leandri Military Court of Honor, a public library, the Rainbow Rotary Playground and the Historic Largo Feed Store. With approximately 1.2 miles of track, many visitors come on the first full weekend of the month for “Train Weekend” to take a ride on the miniature train, Largo Central Railroad (LCRR). The railroad is a 501(c)(3), 509(a)(1) and 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) tax deductible all-volunteer group whose goal it is to share their love of railroads with the community.
For more information on the park, visit tinyurl.com/3cjfhxkk. For more information on the railroad, including becoming a volunteer, visit LCrailroad.org.
Published May 03, 2023
