It is time to discover our newest hidden treasure. The City of Tampa will be cutting the ribbon Tuesday, Nov. 12 on the 48-acre MacDill 48 Park, a stunning property that serves three major roles: It helps alleviate flooding by storing stormwater runoff, it improves water quality within Hillsborough Bay by treating stormwater runoff and removing pollutants, and it provides a huge passive park with a walking trail and natural beauty at every turn.
Form and Function
The park is a showstopper. A 1-mile, partially paved walking and bicycling trail meanders through the forested canopy that surrounds a 10-acre, 25-million gallon stormwater pond. Residents can access the trail, covered picnic tables, pond-side benches, a14-foot wide boardwalk over a natural wetland, and all of the natural beauty through three entrances today (two more will be added). Residents will notice native fish, gopher tortoises, large birds including bald eagles, and other Florida wildlife that call MacDill 48 home. No cars will be allowed in the park. Pedestrians and bicyclists will be welcomed sunrise to sunset.
The stormwater pond in the middle of the park will allow the City to maximize flood relief within the the southeast portion of the Lower Peninsula Watershed, which includes most of the area south of El Prado Boulevard. The project also includes more than 12,000 linear feet of box culverts, pipes, and drainage inlets. Green infrastructure has been added to reduce the discharge of nutrients, oils, sediments, and floating debris into Hillsborough Bay. This is an ideal of the type of stormwater infrastructure that could provide significant benefits in flood-prone parts of the City.
The park recently was honored with an Excellence in Engineering and Public Works award from the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Public Works Association, and the American Council of Engineering Companies.
“MacDill 48 Park seamlessly combines form with function, bringing much-needed stormwater infrastructure to the surrounding community, while also providing a beautiful space for all to enjoy,” Mayor Jane Castor said. “Thanks to the tireless work of our team members, and regional and community partners, we are ecstatic to include this extraordinary place in our award-winning park system and our growing list of major infrastructure upgrades.”
History
The MacDill 48 property was purchased from Hillsborough County in September 2003 through the Environmental Lands Acquisition Protection Program. ELAPP helps identify and protect environmentally sensitive land within Hillsborough County. Building out the $51.4 million project was largely funded through grants and outside sources, including a $25 million Resilient Florida Grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and a $12.5 million contribution from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
The City of Tampa funded the remaining $13.9 million.
The partnerships and support behind this project highlight the importance of multi-benefit sites like this one, and the collaboration that makes it possible to achieve the region’s sustainability and resilience goals.