Living near Weedon Island Preserve in St. Petersburg means having mangrove paddling trails, boardwalks, fishing spots and hiking paths on Tampa Bay a short drive from home, while staying close to Gandy Boulevard, I-275 and the Gateway area. The homes nearby are mostly single-story block houses in Northeast St. Pete, ZIP 33702, set back from the water.
This guide covers what the preserve offers, which part of the city is closest, what to check when you buy near the bay, and how a home like 7400 Locust St NE fits the lifestyle.
What is Weedon Island Preserve?
Weedon Island Preserve is a large county-managed natural area on the western shore of Tampa Bay in Northeast St. Petersburg, made up mostly of mangroves, tidal flats and upland habitat. It is a preserve, not a park with ballfields, so the draw is water, wildlife and quiet.
The preserve has marked paddling trails through the mangroves, boardwalks and hiking trails, an observation tower, a fishing pier, and a cultural and natural history center that covers the area's ecology and its long human history. Kayak and paddleboard rentals operate near the launch during posted hours. Access is by vehicle from the neighborhood streets on the bay side of Northeast St. Pete; there is no through traffic, which is part of why it stays quiet.
Which part of St. Petersburg is closest to Weedon Island Preserve?
The closest homes are in Northeast St. Petersburg, ZIP 33702, on the streets east of the 4th Street North corridor and south of Gandy Boulevard. From there the preserve entrance is a short drive or a bike ride.
The housing stock in this pocket is mostly single-story concrete block homes on modest lots, with some frame homes and newer infill. A smaller number of homes sit directly on canals or the bay; the rest are a few streets back, which is where you get the access to the preserve without the price and insurance profile of direct waterfront. 7400 Locust St NE is in that second group: a block home on a corner lot in 33702, minutes from the preserve by car. Gateway area St. Petersburg commute to Tampa
What can you do at Weedon Island on a regular weekend?
Paddle, fish, walk and look. The preserve rewards repeat visits, which is what makes living near it different from visiting it.
- Paddle the mangrove trail. Launch your own kayak or paddleboard or rent one on site, and follow the marked route through the tunnels of mangroves out to open water.
- Fish from the pier or the flats. Bring your Florida fishing license and check current regulations before you go.
- Walk the boardwalks and trails. Several loops connect the upland trails to the boardwalks and the observation tower over the bay.
- Visit the cultural and natural history center. Worth a first visit for the maps and the story of the island.
- Watch wildlife. Wading birds, ospreys and the occasional manatee or dolphin, depending on season and tide.
What else is near Weedon Island Preserve?
Mangrove Bay Golf Course, Gandy Boulevard, the Gateway area and the 4th Street North corridor are all close, so the preserve sits inside an everyday part of the city rather than out on its own.
Mangrove Bay Golf Course is a public course a short drive from the preserve. Gandy Boulevard runs north of the neighborhood to the Gandy Bridge and South Tampa. I-275 and the Howard Frankland Bridge connect to Tampa International Airport, and St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport sits on the far side of the Gateway area. Downtown St. Petersburg, with its waterfront, dining and arts district, is a straight run south on 4th Street North, and the 4th Street corridor carries the groceries, shopping and dining. We describe these in relative terms because drive times depend on the hour and the bridge.
| Outdoor spot near Northeast St. Pete | Best for | Getting there from 33702 | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weedon Island Preserve | Paddling, fishing, boardwalk trails, wildlife | Short drive east through the neighborhood streets | Rentals and center have posted hours; bring sun and bug protection |
| Mangrove Bay Golf Course | Public golf on the bay side | Short drive | Municipal course; check tee-time booking |
| Gandy Boulevard bay approaches | Sunset views, bridge access to Tampa | North on the main corridor | Traffic builds near the bridge at peak hours |
| Downtown St. Petersburg waterfront | Parks, pier, dining, arts, events | South on 4th Street North | Plan for event-day parking |
What should you check when buying a home near Weedon Island?
Check flood risk, insurance, the roof and windows, and where you will store the gear, in that order.
- Look up the flood zone yourself. Use the FEMA flood map and the Pinellas County property record for the exact address. We do not state flood-zone status for any property; verify it and ask for an elevation certificate if one exists.
- Get flood and homeowners quotes. A licensed insurance agent should quote both before your inspection period ends, using the home's roof date, window type and wind-mitigation report.
- Check the roof and the openings. A recent roof and impact-rated windows and doors matter more near the water than anywhere else in the city. impact windows in Florida homes
- Confirm the construction. Concrete block is the common standard here; ask what the walls are made of and whether any additions match.
- Plan for the gear. Kayaks, paddleboards, bikes and fishing equipment need a home. A garage, carport or shed makes the difference between using the preserve weekly and using it twice a year.
- Verify any HOA or deed restrictions. Trailers, boats and outbuildings are common restrictions; a no-HOA street gives you flexibility, but confirm with a title search.
How does 7400 Locust St NE fit a Weedon Island lifestyle?
7400 Locust St NE was built for exactly this kind of use: a five-bedroom, two-bath concrete block home in Northeast St. Petersburg, FL 33702, with 3,209 sq ft under roof around 1,824 sq ft of living area, which means covered space for the gear as well as the cars.
An oversized 2-car garage and a separate 2-car carport give you four covered parking spaces, so a kayak trailer or a second vehicle has a place. The workshop shed handles paddles, rods, bikes and repairs. The fenced yard on a 6,991 sq ft corner lot and the screened front porch, looking out at the preserve and park across the street, are where the day ends after a morning on the water. On the building-envelope side, the 2021 roof, 2023 impact windows, 2024 A/C and water heater and updated electrical panel are the items a near-the-bay buyer checks first, already done. Built 1972. Solid block construction. No HOA. Offered at $499,995 against a stated opinion of value of $550,000, with 2025 taxes of $4,948, MLS TB8544117. Room for the things you actually own, use and enjoy. buying a home with a workshop and garage in St. Pete
If a block home with a garage, carport and workshop a short drive from Weedon Island Preserve is what you are looking for, ask us for the showing code and disclosures.
Ask about 7400 Locust St NEFrequently asked questions
A: Yes. Kayak and paddleboard rentals operate near the launch during posted hours, and the marked paddling trail is designed for beginners as well as regulars; check current hours and conditions before you go.
A: A few are on canals or the bay, but most homes in the nearby streets of 33702 are a short drive back from the water. That is where you get preserve access with a standard block home rather than a waterfront property.
A: That depends on the specific address and your lender, so look up the flood map for the exact property, ask for an elevation certificate, and get a flood quote from a licensed insurance agent rather than assuming either way.
A: It is on the northern end of the city's bay shoreline, reached by heading north on 4th Street North and then east; treat it as a short drive and test the route yourself.