Seffner Community Alliance Gets Its Park

SEFFNER, FL – About 17 years ago, the Seffner Community Alliance first proposed their vision of turning a parcel owned by Hillsborough County into a park. Its members suggested a passive, nature-inspired spread where people could “walk, play, learn and grow together.”

After nearly two decades of conceptualizing, planning and work, Hillsborough County officials and community members formally dedicated the Seffner CommUNITY Park and Gardens, 406 N. Kingsway Road, on Dec. 4.

“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 centerpiece of the 17-acre Seffner CommUNITY Park and Gardens is a community garden where area residents can plant and tend vegetables and flowers. The park also features a winding 1.5-mile path, a gazebo, shelters and benches.

Hillsborough County allocated $100,000 for a future art project. Alliance members said they hope to introduce simple activities like hopscotch, which will help children and adults learn and have fun.

“It’s going to be interesting to see how this pans out,” Terry said.

Unlike other parks in the area, there are no playgrounds or ball fields at the Seffner CommUNITY Park and Gardens. The idea was to create an atmosphere for imagination and creativity in a relaxed setting.

“We never really did want all the expensive equipment,” Terry said. “It’s just amazing how simple things bring people together.”

The Seffner-Mango Branch Library, 419 N. Kingsway Road, is adjacent to 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 Seffner resident Phil Peplinski. “All we’ve got to do now as a community is stay on top of it and keep it this way.”

Image via Hillsborough County Government website