Congratulations to the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Division, which has now opened Part 1A of a brand new $6.7-million multi-phase enlargement of Branchton Park at 15508 Morris Bridge Rd., lower than a half-mile south of Cross Creek Blvd.
On a frosty chilly Jan.23, Hillsborough’s director of Parks & Recreation Rick Valdez, District 2 County Commissioner Ken Hagan, park mission supervisor Jason McKenzie, New Tampa resident and Dist. 4 Comm. Christine Miller’s legislative aide Rico Smith have been amongst those that reduce the ribbon on the brand new 43-acre park.
Valdez mentioned the brand new park features a splash pad (which wasn’t but open, nevertheless it was too chilly to attempt that day anyway), a big playground space (with a blue turf facsimile of the Hillsborough River operating by way of it), plus a number of altering rooms, restrooms and a “Cop Cabin” the place Hillsborough Sheriff’s Workplace (HCS) deputies can have a desk, a lounge (with a working hearth) and a spot to control what’s taking place within the park.
Additionally beneath development in Part 1B are six pickleball courts, large- and small-breed canine parks and an extra restroom. Part 1B is predicted to open by no later than March of this 12 months.
Part 2, which is funded and consists of renovations to the unique 19-acre Branchton Park, additionally is predicted to incorporate a zipline (in partnership between the county and a personal contractor, who has not but been chosen) and an occasion heart. Valdez mentioned Part 2 will take about two years to construct.
“I’m thrilled to be right here this morning because the commissioner who championed this mission for over a decade,” Comm. Hagan mentioned previous to the ribbon chopping ceremony. “How this occurred is that, for six years, I lived across the nook, off Cross Creek Blvd. And on daily basis, I’d drive on Morris Bridge Rd., as a result of earlier than we widened Bruce B. Downs (Blvd.), the site visitors was horrible.
“So, I’d go down Morris Bridge, and I’d at all times look over right here and see this stunning space and I’d by no means see greater than two or three individuals on the basketball courts or within the little picnic space. And I simply keep in mind considering that we may actually do one thing particular and make a vacation spot right here. Nicely, a few years later, we’ve created it [and we] labored intently with the New Tampa neighborhood to get the facilities the residents wished to see right here.”
Hagan added, “This park will serve 45,000+ individuals inside a ten-minute drive of this space.”
For more information, go to HCFL.gov.
