Community Corner

Gift Ideas from Hillsborough County

How about an annual pass to parks?

For those still struggling to come up with gift ideas, Hillsborough County offers the following suggestions:

By becoming a member to MOSI and/or the Tampa Bay History Center, you and your family can enjoy benefits all year long. You may also receive free or discounted membership to other attractions through reciprocal agreements.

Contact MOSI at 813-987-6000 or the Tampa Bay History Center at 813-228-0097 for details.

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  • Annual Boat Ramp Pass ($100)

An annual boat launch pass for Hillsborough County Parks is a gift that every boater will value.

The Hillsborough County Annual Boat Ramp Pass is valid at the following locations:

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  • Courtney Campbell Boat Ramp, 12030 Courtney Campbell W. in Clearwater
  • Edward Medard Boat Ramp, 5726 Partner Loop in Plant City
  • E.G. Simmons Boat Ramp, 2401 19th Ave., N.W., in Ruskin
  • Gandy Boat Ramp, 5108 W. Gandy Blvd. in Tampa
  • Harney Bypass Canal, 7115 U.S. 301 N. in Tampa
  • John B. Sergeant Boat Ramp, 12856 U.S. 301 in Thonotosassa
  • Lake Park Boat Ramp, 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz
  • Morris Bridge Boat Ramp, 13330 Morris Bridge Rd. in Thonotosassa
  • Riverview Boat Ramp, 11020 Park Drive in Riverview
  • Williams Boat Ramp, 8749 U.S. 41 in Riverview

An Annual Boat Ramp Pass can be obtained by mail with the Mail Order Form, or Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Branchton Regional Parks Office, 15502 Morris Bridge Rd. in Thonotosassa. For more information, contact the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department at 813-635-3500.

  • Annual Regional Park Pass ($100)

Hillsborough County Regional Parks are more than just your average picnic location. Each of the county’s 10 regional parks is unique and offers a variety of opportunities, including botanical gardens, camping, canoeing/kayaking, disc golf, fishing, nature study, playgrounds, R/C track, swimming, trails (bicycle, hike, horseback riding, walking) and more. The pass also includes use of the Upper Tampa Bay Trail.

Discount and free passes are available to those who qualify.

Free Lifetime Family Entrance Pass -Available to Hillsborough County residents who are honorably discharged veterans who have service-connected disabilities; surviving spouse and parents of deceased members of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserves who have fallen in combat; and surviving dependents of deceased first responders killed in the line of duty who reside in Hillsborough County. Must apply in person.

25 percent annual Regional Park Pass discount for active-duty members and honorably discharged veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserves who live in Hillsborough County; active-duty members of first responders who live or work in Hillsborough County; and Hillsborough County employees. Must apply in person.

Annual Regional Park Passes can be obtained by mail with the Mail Order Form, or Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Branchton Regional Parks Office, 15502 Morris Bridge Rd. in Thonotosassa. For more information, contact the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department at 813-635-3500.

  • Camping at a County Park ($24)

Plan a camping trip for only $24 a night for an RV/tent site or $18 senior citizen rate. Camp sites are available at the following parks.

For more information and availability information, contact each park directly.

  • Canoe or Kayak Hillsborough County’s Blueways ($25)

Plan a trip to a County Regional Park and experience Hillsborough County in a different way. Entrance is only $2 for up to eight people in a vehicle. Four-hour canoe/kayak rentals are $25.

The following Hillsborough County Regional Parks offer canoe and kayak rentals:

Aldermans Ford , 9625 Canoe Launch Loop in Lithia

Edward Medard Park, 6140 Turkey Creek Rd. in Plant City

E.G. Simmons Park, 2401 19th Ave. N.W., in Ruskin

Lake Park, 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz

Lettuce Lake Park , 6920 E. Fletcher Ave. in Tampa

Upper Tampa Bay Park, 8001 Double Branch Rd. in Tampa

For additional information, contact Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation at 813-757-3802.

  • Hillsborough County’s Preserved Land (free)

Plan a trip to one of the county’s preserved lands. Hillsborough County has more than 61,000 acres of environmentally sensitive wildlife habitat and corridors acquired through the Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP).

Annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count (free) – Through Jan. 5, 2013, tens of thousands of volunteers throughout America will take part in an adventure that has become a family tradition among generations. Families, students, birders and scientists, armed with binoculars, bird guides and checklists, go out on this annual mission that provides critical data on bird population trends. For more information, visit the National Audubon Society at http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count.

  • Scholarships

Help a loved one going through tough times by offering to pay for a class, sports or summer camp.

Athletic League ($125-$300) - Hillsborough County partners with numerous leagues to offer youth sports at 59 county-owned athletic facilities. Sports offered include baseball, football, soccer and softball.

Registration for all sports is done directly through the leagues. For more information, contact each league directly or call Aileen Henderson, Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department, 813-744-5595, ext. 223.

Rec2Six ($38 per week; discounts are available) - Hillsborough County’s Rec2Six program is more than an after-school program. It offers fun, fitness and adventure for children in kindergarten through fifth grade. For more information on the Rec2Six program, contact the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department at 813-635-3500 or visit www.rec2six.org.

Summer Camp (two-week sessions are $76 for traditional camps; $120 for nature camps)

Hillsborough County’s summer day camps are packed with exciting activities. Traditional camps, held at various recreation centers, offer themed activities including arts, fitness, leadership, music, sports and more. Specialty nature camps are held at several sites and are designed around educational outdoor activities at Hillsborough County’s Regional Parks, trails and waterways. For information, contact Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department at 813-635-3500.

Special Interest Classes (free to $10) – Hillsborough County offers a variety of free or low-cost classes including aerobics, ballet, tap, tumbling, cheerleading, karate and more at many Hillsborough County recreation centers. Classes are available for a nominal fee per class for adults and children. For additional information, contact each park or recreation center directly, or call the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department at 813-635-3520.

  •  Pet Adoption

While surprising someone with the gift of pet ownership is generally not recommended, bringing your family, loved one or partner to select a four-legged family member in person at the county animal shelter is a great idea. Hillsborough County Animal Services, 440 N. Falkenburg Rd. in Tampa, is open daily with hundreds of cats, dogs, kittens, puppies and more in a variety of breeds, colors and personalities. Staff and volunteers invite you stop in and find forever friends to fit every lifestyle. All pet adoptions include spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations, micro-chip, and Hillsborough County pet registration (rabies) tag with many adoption specials offered throughout the facility.

A holiday pet adoption from the county animal shelter is an affordable way to find the right pet for you while helping to save lives. Plus, senior citizens age 62 and older get a discount. Before visiting, feel free to view the kennels online, and download the adoption application. For more information, contact Animal Services at 813‐744‐5660.

Pet Registration Tags

Furry family members rely on us, so why not consider giving the gift of ID with pet registration? Your pet's Hillsborough County tag is great identification and lets others know that your pet is safely vaccinated against rabies. County pet registration tags also help reunite lost animals since tags can even be searched online via the county website. Hillsborough County's Animal Ordinance requires all dogs, cats, and ferrets 4 months of age or older to be vaccinated against the rabies virus and issued an official county pet registration tag. Official County pet registration or rabies tags may be obtained from the Animal Services Department's front counter as long the pet's current rabies certificate, signed by a licensed veterinarian, is on file with (or provided to the department) at the time of the pet's registration. Senior citizens age 62 and older are extended a courtesy discount on their annual pet registration tags, and the shelter is open daily for this service. For more information, contact Animal Services at 813‐744‐5660.

  • Help a Child in Need

Hillsborough County’s Children Services helps at-risk children and families. Their programs and services include delinquency prevention; reduction of runaway recidivism; residential care of abused, neglected and abandoned children; teen programs to support successful independent living; and outpatient counseling.

There are many ways to support needed children in our community, such as participating in an Angel Tree, sponsoring educational or leisure opportunities, or purchasing gifts and supplies.

Help make a child's holiday happy and bright by contacting Angel Colon, Children Services, 813-264-3807, ext. 53280, or by viewing the Holiday Giving Guide.

  • Help A Pet In Need

Shelter animals need love and care over the holidays, too. Collect and donate items listed on the Animal Angel Tree Wish List. The best way to ensure that your gift reaches the animals at Hillsborough County Animal Services is to send or bring it directly to the department, 440 N. Falkenburg Rd. in Tampa.


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