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Is Lake Maggiore Shores safe?

St. Petersburg, Florida · safety score updated nightly

61out of 100

Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.

VibeLoco rates Lake Maggiore Shores as “Caution”.

Gogo's take on Lake Maggiore Shores

“Go with care. Lake Maggiore Shores offers quiet residential streets and direct access to some of South St. Petersburg's best natural parklands, but property crime and occasional violent incidents in adjacent South St. Pete corridors warrant situational awareness. Visiting the parks during daylight hours is pleasant, but nighttime foot travel outside designated park amenities is not recommended.”

South St. Petersburg continues to see city-backed economic and infrastructure investment through the South St. Petersburg CRA, though sporadic gun violence in surrounding southside neighborhoods remains an ongoing focus for local law enforcement.

About the area

Lake Maggiore Shores is a primarily residential neighborhood on the eastern and northeastern banks of Lake Maggiore in South St. Petersburg. The area features modest mid-century single-family homes, scenic waterfront greenery, and immediate proximity to Dell Holmes Park and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. While the natural surroundings provide a peaceful atmosphere, nearby commercial corridors experience higher-than-average crime rates.

  • Residential
  • Parkside
  • Car-Dependent
  • Scenic Waterfront

Walking and biking in Lake Maggiore Shores

Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 58/100

The neighborhood connects conveniently to the Pinellas Trail via dedicated bike lanes along 22nd Street South and designated neighborhood greenways.

Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice

Pros

  • Direct access to Dell Holmes Park, Lake Maggiore, and nearby Boyd Hill Nature Preserve.
  • Lower traffic density with quiet, tree-lined residential side streets.
  • More affordable housing stock compared to downtown and north St. Petersburg, attracting steady renovation.

Cons

  • Property crime rates (car break-ins and theft) are higher than the Pinellas County average.
  • Higher poverty rates and lower median household incomes relative to the broader Tampa Bay metro.
  • Limited commercial infrastructure within the neighborhood itself, requiring travel to busier corridors for dining and retail.

Homelessness: Visible homelessness is occasionally seen in and around public pavilions at Dell Holmes Park and along the 22nd Avenue South corridor, but large permanent encampments are not prevalent inside the residential core.

What Lake Maggiore Shores is like at each time of day

Morning · 5a – 11a
Peaceful and calm, with morning walkers and dog owners enjoying Dell Holmes Park and the lakefront paths.
Afternoon · 11a – 5p
Active around park areas and recreation facilities, feeling generally safe for visitors keeping to public amenities.
Evening · 5p – 10p
Quiet as daylight fades; street activity drops off rapidly and residential streets become sparsely lit.
Late night · 10p – 5a
Isolation increases risk; walking alone after dark is not advised due to limited lighting and isolated pockets.

Transit, parking and getting around

Public transit is operated by PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority), with Route 14 and Route 7 providing north-south connections to Downtown St. Petersburg; the SunRunner BRT line is located roughly 2.5 miles north on 1st Avenues North/South.

Ample free surface parking is available inside Dell Holmes Park and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, while residential streets offer unmetered curbside parking.

Things to do in Lake Maggiore Shores

  • Explore the walking paths, playground, and splash pad at Dell Holmes Park.
  • Visit the adjacent Boyd Hill Nature Preserve for wildlife spotting, birdwatching, and tram tours.
  • Fish or launch a kayak from designated access points along the Lake Maggiore shoreline.

Local favorites

  • Boyd Hill Nature Center · Nature Center & Park · 4.8★ (1650)
    A nearby nature education center featuring miles of boardwalk trails, raptor aviaries, and eco-tours.
  • Heavy's Take Out · Southern / Soul Food · 4.4★ (320)
    A longstanding neighborhood counter serving generous portions of classic ribs, fried chicken, and soul food sides.
  • Mullet's Fish Camp & Market · Seafood Restaurant · 4.7★ (1420)
    A popular South St. Pete staple serving fresh smoked fish dip, tiki-bar drinks, and casual seafood fare.

Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.