The County's Parks & Recreation staff manages numerous top-tier parks, sports fields, playgrounds, and much more
July marks National Parks & Recreation Month, and Hillsborough County has plenty to celebrate. With one of the strongest park systems in Florida, and a finalist for a national award, the County continues to expand access and invest in programs that enrich residents of all ages.
Sports, play, nature, dogs, and even performing arts
The County's Parks & Recreation staff manages more than 3,500 acres of public space, including 180 parks, 223 sports fields, 118 playgrounds, 54 recreation centers, 47 athletic complexes, 11 dog parks, nine splash pads, and four cultural and performing arts centers.
Recreational access has expanded with a new 16,000-square-foot recreation center that opened in June, 40 new pickleball courts, six new splash pads, and additional fitness zones in underserved communities. A longterm $6 million splashpad initiative has brought new 1,200 to 3,400squarefoot aquatic play spaces to neighborhoods with economic or transportation challenges. In addition, the County launched the Swim Safe Initiative for Head Start participants where children ages 3 to 5 receive free swim lessons at nearby pools.
Adaptive Sports
Since 2021, participation in Adaptive Sports has increased more than 200%, growing from 26 programs serving 300 athletes to 68 programs serving 955 athletes. The newest addition is a dedicated Buddy Baseball field that offers a customized space for athletes ages 8 to 22 with special needs.
Health and safety
The County's Parks & Recreation department has partnerships with community organizations to provide a healthy and safe environment for residents. With the help of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, seven recreation centers were revitalized and serve more than 122,000 youth annually. And an American Heart Association collaboration netted nearly 100 Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) at high\-use parks, rural areas, and youth sports facilities, to enhance lifesaving response capabilities.
Let's celebrate
As National Parks and Recreation Month unfolds, Hillsborough County celebrates the spaces, partnerships, programs, and - most importantly - the people who make its Parks & Recreation department one of the best in the nation.