Largo, FL

Largo, Florida is located in Pinellas County. Part of the larger Tampa Bay Area, Largo has a population of more than 71,000. First incorporated in 1905, the city had a history of switching back and forth from "town" to "city." Since becoming a city in 1974, Largo has transformed into a bedroom community, attracting residents with its agricultural exports industry. Additionally, Largo boasts more than 600 acres of parks.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The city of Largo has initiated a Neighborhood Partnership Program, which works with individual neighborhoods to improve communication with and services to residents. Largo aims to facilitate community investment through neighborhood associations that offer residents opportunities to voice their concerns and learn about citywide issues and events.

Largo is one of the most densely populated cities in Florida, with about 2,500 houses per square mile. The city has more than 40,000 houses, of which over half are occupied by the owners.

Many of Largo's residential neighborhoods are mobile home parks. Popular ones include Fairway Village, Island in the Sun, Town & Country, and Whispering Pines.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Largo's farmlands gave the city its reputation as the center of the citrus industry. Largo citrus fruits were being shipped to customers in the north, nicknamed "Citrus City" for it. The city, however, turned into a bedroom community due to the decline in agriculture caused by the influx of new residents to the area.

The majority of jobs in Largo are in the services sector and retail sales. Health care is one of the major industries, and the major employers in Largo are hospitals, electronics and light manufacturing. Apart from these, the other major industries are construction, finance and insurance, accommodation and food services, and educational services. The unemployment rate is a little over 4 percent.

• Largo Medical Center Hospital was built in 1978. This 456-bed facility serves Largo and surrounding communities and is the only hospital in the area with fully private rooms. This hospital is also home to several specialty units, including the Tampa Bay Heart Institute, Florida Knee and Orthopedic Pavilion, Cancer Care Program, Spine Care Center and Florida Breast Institute.
• Sun Coast Hospital is a sister facility to the Largo Medical Center Hospital and offers 175 allied health professionals with more than 50 specialties.

FOR VISITORS

• Highland Recreational Complex offers indoor and outdoor basketball courts, a fitness center, tennis courts, a skate park and a family aquatics center that is equipped with the tallest water slide in the city.
• Southwest Complex features an Olympic-size swimming pool, a tennis center and a gymnasium. It also offers voluntary pre-kindergarten for 4-year-old children.
• Largo Central Park is located on 70 acres of landscaped grounds. The park includes fountains, a clock tower and the only fully handicapped-accessible playground in the county.
• George C. McGough Nature Park offers picnic areas, a butterfly garden, walking trails and a playground. The park is also called "Turtle Park" because of the many turtles that call this area home.
• John R. Bonner Park includes a picnic area, walking paths and a playground. In addition, a pavilion is perfectly situated for a scenic view of the water.

EVENTS

Largo uses its two main parks, Central Park and Ulmar Park, for numerous events throughout the year. These events include Woofstock (a celebration of Largo's pets), Battle of the Bands (which features local talent), various Fourth of July celebrations, several Red Hat garden parties and much more.

• Touch a Truck Event is a child-friendly festival featuring trucks of all shapes and sizes. Guests are allowed to enter vehicles, beep the horns and raise the sirens. A group of Florida's clowns are in attendance and ready to make everyone laugh.
• Train Weekend, held at Central Park, gives families a chance to ride miniature trains on the Largo Central Railway.
• Harvest Market Place is open weekly for fresh local produce.
• Sunset Sounds, held monthly at Ulmar Park, pairs Largo's beautiful sunset with beautiful music.

FAMILY FUN

• Largo Central Railroad is a 1.2-mile track that runs through Central Park and is a fun ride for train enthusiasts of all ages.
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium, located just outside of Largo, offers a firsthand look into life in the sea. Daily dolphin shows and a stingray "petting tank" are sure to put a smile on faces young and old.
• Florida Botanical Gardens, with more than 30 acres of cultivated gardens and 90 acres of natural areas, is open daily and is free to all visitors.
• Largo Golf Course is a par-62, tree-lined course. Special weekend events target both beginners and professionals, providing a day of family fun.
• Kids Fire House Museum offers families the opportunity to view fire trucks and other firefighter accessories dating to 1924. The museum's tours are also designed to educate visitors about fire safety.

SHOPPING

Largo Shopping offers consumers more than 70 stores, an array of eateries and a movie theater.

EDUCATION

• Remington College offers associate's and bachelor's degrees in a number of fields, ranging from criminal justice to culinary arts. Remington is equipped with career placement and development services for new graduates, and the college offers financial aid.
• Central Florida College features a variety of degree programs in a convenient online environment and also offers financial aid packages.
• Florida Beacon Bible College is a Protestant college, offering both undergraduate and graduate-level courses.

LOCAL MEDIA

• WMGG 820 AM (Spanish)
• WWBA 1040 AM (Talk)
• WFLA 970 AM (News)
• WGUL 860 AM (Nostalgia)
• WTIS 1110 AM (Religious)

• WYUU 92.5 FM (Country)
• WXTB 97.9 FM (Rock)
• WRBQ 104.7 FM (Oldies)
• WSUN 97.1 FM (Alterative)
• WLLD 98.7 FM (Hip Hop)
• WPOI 101.5 FM ('80s Rock)
• WFLZ-FM 93.3 FM (Top 40)
• WMTX 100.7 FM (Hot AC)