Public Parks and Recreation in Hillsborough County
Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department (PRC) manages more than 70,000 acres of parkland; 42 year-round recreation centers offering activities and classes for all ages; therapeutic programs; youth and adult athletics; and partnerships with community and civic organizations throughout the county. Athletic Services provides a youth basketball program for boys and girls in grades 1-10 and the Leaguerett Softball program, a slow pitch program for girls ages 5-17. It also operates an adult slow pitch softball program for more than 200 teams including an over 60 “senior” league. Athletic Services works with the recreation section in programming Track and Field meets and assists with organizing the athletic leagues for the teen program. Most youth sports leagues in the County (and neighboring cities) are independently organized separate of the recreation department but operate as non-profit associations on County (or City) property. The County provides assistance, maintenance, equipment, and education to the leagues, their boards, coaches, parents and players. Each league has its own set of by-laws and policies to govern its program (under County guidance) and they set their own fees for registration. There are ten regional parks of diverse natural character that have picnicking, boating, canoeing, swimming, hiking, nature study, bicycling, horseback riding, and camping available. The Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department provides a wide variety of recreational trails. Trails ranging from the Suncoast Trail, a paved trail than begins in Hillsborough County and extends 42 miles into in Hernando County at Hwy 98, to the more than 30 miles of off-road single track trails in Wilderness Park. Boat ramps are provided free of cost by the County. Hillsborough Blueways are paddling trails for canoes and kayaks on the rivers, creeks, bays and estuaries throughout Hillsborough County. There are year-round activities at recreation centers and playgrounds throughout Hillsborough County and are staffed with recreation specialists.
