County Dedicates Seffner Community-Driven Park

SEFFNER, FL – A 17-year vision for a group of Seffner residents became a reality this month when Hillsborough County officials dedicated the Seffner CommUNITY Park and Gardens on Kingsway Road Dec. 4.

Members of the Seffner Community Alliance have been lobbying for nearly two decades to create a passive, nature-inspired park for the community where people could "walk, play, learn and grow together."

"Sometimes you think you have a really good idea, and you misread the people," said Terry Flott, president of the alliance. "That doesn't seem to be the case here. People are really excited about it."

The 17-acre park has a gazebo, a winding 1.5-mile pathway, shelters and benches, and a community garden where area residents can plant and tend flowers and vegetables. Recently planted oak and Florida maple trees now join a longstanding cedar tree.

The County has allocated $100,000 for a future, unknown art project, and alliance members hope to introduce simple activities such as hopscotch that will help children and adults learn and have fun together.

"It's going to be interesting to see how this pans out," Flott said.

What’s unusual about this park is there are no playgrounds or ballfields. The idea, said Flott, is to spur imagination and creativity in a relaxed setting.

"We never really did want all the expensive equipment," Flott said. "It's just amazing how simple things bring people together."

The Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 419 N. Kingsway Road, abuts the park, along with a mobile home park and the site of a future subdivision.

"I've already seen so many families here, and kids playing football," said neighbor Phil Peplinski. "All we've got to do now as a community is stay on top of it and keep it this way."

Photo via Hillsborough County