Hillsborough County, Fla. (May 13, 2024) - Hillsborough residents in the Wimauma area are invited to help planners create an enhanced park as part of the Wimauma Downtown Revitalization Action Plan.

The County wants to hear from the Wimauma community and learn about the park improvements, programs, and new features they would like to see.

In the heart of Wimauma lies Bethune Park, an 11-acre space offering basketball courts, a playground, a picnic shelter, trails, and home to the Boys & Girls Club of Wimauma. As part of the Wimauma Downtown Revitalization Action Plan, strategies are in the works to reinvigorate the park, making it more vibrant and inviting for Wimauma residents.

Residents can attend an in-person master plan kick-off meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, May 13, and they have another chance to engage on Saturday, May 18, at the Bethune Park Master Plan.

Community Open House and Workshop. Residents may also stay up to date by visiting the online engagement hub. The site is available in English and Spanish and will be open for resident feedback at various stages of the engagement.

Bethune Park Master Plan Kick-Off

6:30 to 8 p.m., Monday, May 13
Wimauma Elementary
5709 Hickman St., Wimauma, FL 33598

Bethune Park Master Plan Community Open House and Workshop

11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 18
Bethune Park Boys & Girls Club Building
5809 Edina St., Wimauma, FL 33598

At the May 13 meeting, Hillsborough County planners will explain the project process, timeline, the ways residents can get involved, and status update of the Wimauma Action Plan. The May 18 meeting will give residents the opportunity to share their ideas, and planners will discuss architecture and urban design strategies.

The goal is to develop a vision and design for improvements to Bethune Park that include a facility to serve as a community center. Possible additional uses for the facility include a library, space for a health clinic, or child care center. Other activities or uses may be identified by the Wimauma community and incorporated into the design.

Over the next few months, the project team will work with the Wimauma community through various outreach efforts to create and formalize the Bethune Park Master Plan, which will be presented to the Wimauma community at the end of the summer.