Fossil Park Sports Complex/Willis S. Johns Recreation Center

About Fossil Park Sports Complex/Willis S. Johns Recreation Center

Willis S. Johns Recreation Center, within Fossil Park, is located in an active Northeast part of St. Petersburg. The 12,500 sq. ft. center is a busy hub with a large selection of classes including dance, karate, gymnastics, language, and the long-time running Slimnastics, an adult exercise class, to mention a few. It houses a 6,700 sq. ft. gymnasium with a full-size basketball court and two studio rooms that can be rented out by the public for events.

The center also features unique artwork on the Fossil Wall, which is made up of 20 - 1.5' x 1.5' clay squares with assorted shark teeth, toys, plants, and other fossils imprinted into the squares. It was created by Michele Tuegal and Russ Gustafson-Hilton in 1997.

The Bayou Rhythm I includes two stained glass works located above each of the entrances of the facility. These colorful works depict a beach/sea setting. The artist was Lee Beistle.