A brand-new playground is now open at Edward Medard Conservation Park in Plant City, giving families another reason to visit the sprawling 1,284-acre park built atop a former phosphate mine. Hillsborough County announced the playground's completion on Facebook, noting the park welcomes visitors daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 6140 Turkey Creek Road.
The announcement, posted Saturday by Hillsborough County, Florida Government on Facebook, marks the latest addition to a park with a long and unusual history. The land was mined for phosphate ore by the American Cyanamid Company between 1963 and 1969 before the company transferred the deed, according to the Southwest Florida Water Management District. What was once industrial mining land has since been transformed into one of Hillsborough County's largest regional parks.
From Phosphate Pit to Regional Park
In 1970, crews built a dike and water control structure on the property, creating a 700-acre reservoir intended to provide flood protection along the Alafia River basin, the water management district's records show. The reservoir sits along the Little Alafia River channel. The site was first known as Pleasant Grove Park and Reservoir before being renamed Edward Medard Park and Reservoir in 1977, honoring a water management district governing board member who helped launch the project.
Hillsborough County began developing the site as a regional park under a 1972 agreement, and that arrangement continues today. The county's Conservation & Environmental Lands Management Department manages park facilities, while the Southwest Florida Water Management District retains ownership of the land and operates the dam structure, per the district's own documentation.
What Families Will Find Near the New Play Area
The new playground joins a park already known for one standout natural attraction: the Sacred Hills, where soil erosion across old phosphate mining mounds has exposed live oak root systems that form natural climbing and tunnel structures. As the Plant City Observer has reported, the exposed roots draw families and hikers who navigate them like a natural jungle gym.
Beyond the playground and Sacred Hills, the park offers an 18-hole disc golf course, a 42-campsite campground with electric and water hookups for RVs and tents, three miles of hiking trails, and a 730-foot boardwalk fishing pier, according to the Florida RV Trade Association. Edward Medard Conservation Park draws an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 visitors annually, the trade association reports.
Fishing Rules and Recent Reservoir Work
Anglers on the 700-acre reservoir should note it is designated a Fisheries Management Area by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which enforces specific catch and size limits for largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish and crappie. The designation lets state wildlife officers actively monitor fish health and population density on the lake.
The reservoir has also seen recent maintenance activity. In a partial drawdown announced by water authorities in May 2025, the reservoir underwent structural testing that temporarily closed the boat ramp to larger vessels while land-based amenities, including trails and campgrounds, stayed open. That followed a much larger two-year maintenance drawdown completed in 2012.
Visiting the Park
Hillsborough County charges a standard $2 per-vehicle entry fee covering up to eight occupants, with annual individual passes available for $50 and family passes for $100. Senior citizens and military veterans qualify for discounted pass rates, according to the county's parks department.
The park has also hosted community programming beyond its trails and playgrounds. In February, the county held its annual Prescribed Fire Fest at the park, an event focused on educating residents about ecosystem health and wildland fire management, featuring live equipment displays, firefighting skills activities and conservation exhibits.
