County celebrates July with award-winning programs, inclusive facilities, and partnerships that build strong, healthy communities
July is National Park and Recreation Month, and Hillsborough County has every reason to celebrate. For three consecutive years, Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation has been named one of the top programs in the nation, earning a spot as a finalist for the prestigious National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.
Presented by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the award recognizes communities that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management, and innovative programming.
This year's National Park and Recreation Month theme is "Build Together, Play Together," which is a reminder of the contributions of more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals in addition to the hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers who maintain the country's close-to-home parks.
The County's [Parks & Recreation ](HCFL.gov/Parks)department manages nearly 200 parks, 30 recreation centers, and numerous athletic fields. Whether residents are playing in a basketball league or pickleball, joining a summer camp, or enjoying a local event, Parks & Recreation is instrumental in promoting wellness, connection, and community.
Throughout the month, residents are encouraged to get outside, explore their local parks, and share their experiences with family, residents, and friends. Here are some highlights of the County's award-winning parks and recreation programs.
- The department offers more than 1,700 partnered, athletic programs with 503,000 visits annually. More than 180 partners provide programming, including 49 Youth Sports Partner Organizations, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
- The County opened its first public performing arts center in 2023: the New Tampa Performing Arts Center. Parks & Recreation also manages 167 parks, 223 sports fields, 118 playgrounds, 51 recreation centers, 47 athletic complexes, 10 dog parks, seven splash pads with three additional ones opening soon, and three cultural centers.
- Parks & Recreation serves more than 6,000 youth each year through after-school programs, summer camps, and sports programming.
- Miller Park & Life Center serves as the home of the County's adaptive sports programming and includes a 10,000-square-foot inclusive playground, 3,200-square-foot all-abilities splash pad, and an adaptive archery range. There are 35 adaptive sports programs.
- The County's Adaptive Sports program has the only team representing a government agency in the USA Wheelchair Football League (USAWFL) and has hosted an USAWFL tournament at the Tampa Convention Center each year since 2022.
- Parks & Recreation partnered with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission to host more than 20 tournaments in 2022 and 2023. Additional community partners include the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office ($4.5 million investment in seven recreation centers), the Boys & Girls Clubs (programming for 122,000 youth annually), and the Tampa Bay Lightning ($1.1 million investment in outdoor hockey rinks and programming).
- The Wellness Access Pass promotes healthy lifestyles. For $10 per month, participants receive access to County-owned fitness centers and open gyms. The affordability and variety of activities ensure accessibility to all community members.
- The Hiking Spree is an annual event that encourages residents to "Take a hike!'' and highlights trails that encompass everything from paved neighborhood trails to primitive treks.
- The County invested more than $1 million in building 10 state-of-the-art outdoor fitness zones throughout Hillsborough.
To find events or learn more about Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation, visit HCFL.gov/Parks.
