Osceola County Chairman/ District 5 Commissioner Fred Hawkins, Jr. was joined by Osceola County Sheriff Bob Hansell, county staff, park project team members and St. Cloud Youth Football League officials for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday morning to mark the grand opening of the newly renovated Hickory Tree Community Park football field and amenities.

“This project has been the dream of many for over a decade. Through the years, hundreds of our children have played ball and cheered on this field, giving their all for the love of something they enjoy doing,” Hawkins said.  “And today we’re able to return some of that joy they’ve given us over the years by presenting them, and all of you, with this beautiful new field and amenities.”

Renovations to the park included: new landscaping, enlargement of the stormwater retention pond, new parking areas with lighting, emergency access roads, sidewalks, chain-link fencing, a new 1400 square foot concession building with adjoining public restrooms, new bleachers (both for visitors and home), a new scoreboard, a press box with a field sound system and the refurbishment of the existing football field, including new sod, irrigation and drainage, new goal posts and high-mast field lighting.

“Construction on this project began on February 8, 2010 – just 6 short months ago,” Hawkins said.  “And I’m proud to tell you that it not only came in on time, but 6 percent under budget.”

Additional funding came from a matching funds state grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, which is administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, in the amount of $135,611.

The 28-acre Hickory Tree Community Park is on Old Hickory Tree Road, behind Hickory Tree Elementary School.  

For more information, contact the Osceola County Public Information Office at 407-742-0100.