Hardee County parks department details parks upgrades, events and $5 million grant for Pioneer Park

Lacey Webb, Parks, Recreation and Marketing Manager, told the Hardee County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 16 that the department oversees roughly 1,400 acres of parkland, four parks, eight boat ramps, three playgrounds, a splash pad and several community facilities, and presented updates on completed work and planned capital projects.

Webb said the department of 25 staff is finalizing several projects, including shade sails at the splash pad, a new playground at Magnolia Park, exterior coating for the pool pavilion and new pickleball courts at the Nickerson Alworth Building. She said an infrastructure project to bring Wi‑Fi to Reiner Park is about 45% complete with installation expected to begin the following month; funding sources include Florida Commerce and local EDA grants.

Webb told commissioners Pioneer Park received a $5,000,000 grant in 2025 for water, waste, utilities and infrastructure; planned work there includes a new bathhouse, an AV system at the Nickerson Orange Building, a new playground and renovation of the pool pavilion kitchen and restrooms. For Hardy Lakes, Webb said the department will add an equipment storage shop, enhanced RV site upgrades, asphalt paving of an entrance and a disc golf course. Hardy Park will receive a safety fence around soccer fields, footbridge replacements, asphalt paving and a new parking area; baseball fields will receive batting cages and a scoreboard replacement. Magnolia Park fencing is complete and bathroom renovations are planned.

Webb reviewed programming and marketing efforts: a drive‑in movie series, a Halloween trunk‑or‑treat at Pioneer Park, a monthly vendor pop‑up series (November–April), partnerships with the library and local schools, and plans to expand countywide tourism branding and marketing via a new web page and social media campaign. She said Parks staff will continue to pursue grants and partnerships to minimize local cost.

Commissioners praised the department’s outreach and community events and encouraged continued marketing to attract visitors. Commissioner comments noted parks and tourism can help counter perceptions that Hardee County has “nothing to do” and urged continued efforts to highlight existing county assets.

Webb closed by inviting commissioners and the public to upcoming events and thanking department staff for their work.