Ribbon Cut For Completed Vila Brothers Park In Tampa

TAMPA, FL — Honoring all seven branches of the military, it was only fitting to host the grand reopening of the Vila Brothers Park on Memorial Day, said Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.

The city took advantage of the holiday to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and community celebration on Monday at the park at 700 N Armenia Ave., Tampa, named for the Vila brothers, seven brothers who served in seven branches of the military from World War II to Desert Storm.

The patriotic park honoring not only the members who served in the military in his own family but served throughout Tampa was a dream of the late Hector Vila, and his wife, Martha, made sure his dream became a reality, carrying out a red, white and blue theme throughout the park along with the use of seven stars representing the seven Vila brothers.

The first phase of the park's renovation was made possible through $300,000 in city funding in 2018, allowing the addition of essential amenities including a restroom, sidewalks, Americans with Disabilities Act parking and an improved entrance off Armenia Avenue.

In 2020, the city continued to enhance the park by installing a shade structure over the playground and adding landscaping and irrigation with a $10,100 donation from the Armory Gardens Civic Association and a $2,600 grant from the National Realtor Association.

Now the Tampa Parks & Recreation Department is finishing the final phase of renovations at the park using $1.7 million allocated from the city's budget in 2022.

This will cover the cost of:

• Four picnic shelters
• A dog park shelter
• Large and small dog parks
• An exercise trail with fitness equipment
• New playground surfacing and equipment for children ages 2 to 12
• New pickle ball courts
• Basketball court lighting, resurfacing and equipment
• New fencing on the west side
• Additional ADA parking spaces on Cass and Lemon streets
• Interior sidewalk connections
• New benches
• And a new entry structure

"Vila Brothers Park is a shining example of Tampa's unity and commitment to the community, and I am grateful for the Tampa City Council’s support for it," said Castor. "This remarkable space honors the Vila family's invaluable service to our country while providing a vibrant gathering place for our residents and visitors. We look forward to seeing this park benefit our local children for generations to come."

Among those attending were council members Luis Viera and Guido Maniscalco; Sherisha Hills, director of parks & recreation; Martha Vila, representing her family; EJ Salcines; Gold Star Family representative Paula Rodriguez.