Tampa seeks ideas for a planned 56-acre K-Bar Ranch park at a Thursday meeting

Tampa plans to turn 56 acres of undeveloped land in New Tampa's K-Bar Ranch community into a park, and residents can share ideas for it Thursday, Oct. 15. That night the city holds a community meeting at Cross Creek Park & Recreation Center, 19019 Basset Creek Drive.

Mayor Jane Castor, City Councilman Luis Viera and Parks and Recreation Director Ted Fowler discussed the project at a press conference Monday, FOX 13 reported. The park is still in the planning stage. City officials have not finalized its layout, total budget or construction schedule.

What could go in the park

According to FOX 13, ideas under discussion include multipurpose athletic fields, picnic facilities, exercise trails and pickleball courts. Viera said he would also support cricket fields.

Skanska is the contractor leading the project. Fowler said his team will listen to residents' wish lists, but he warned that requests will be weighed against the budget. "Not everybody's going to get everything they want, but we do our level best to make sure we give everybody as much as we can within the budget," he said, as quoted by FOX 13.

Trees and turtles

Officials said protecting the site's existing ecosystem and natural character is a top priority. The city has planted more than 10,000 saplings on the land over the past year, FOX 13 reported. Fowler also said the city knows about the local turtle population and has a plan to keep the turtles safe.

Why Viera is pushing it

Viera has lived in New Tampa for more than 20 years. He is in his final weeks on City Council before running for a Florida State House seat. He framed the park as an alternative to commercial development on the open land. "With land that's just sitting out there, instead of building a Walmart there, why don't we put this big, beautiful park that's going to bring people together?" he said, according to FOX 13.

He also argued that the area's needs differ from older parts of the city. "We are not part of that traditional core of Tampa. We're newer. Our needs are different," Viera said.

How to weigh in Thursday

The meeting runs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. It is free, open to the public and held in person, and no pre-registration is needed. According to the city's event listing, attendees can meet the Skanska project team, learn how the design process works and hear how public comments will shape the final design.

Thursday's meeting will not be the only chance to comment. The city says more opportunities to participate will come as the project moves forward. For questions, the event page lists Frank Crum at 813-727-8614, and it also has a link for requesting ADA accommodations.