Have Your Say: Hillsborough County Invites Public Opinion on New Equestrian Center Location

In Tampa, Florida, Hillsborough County is reaching out to its residents for feedback on an intriguing proposal to trade property for a state-of-the-art equestrian facility.

The plan centers around relocating the well-established Bakas Equestrian Center from its current position on Race Track Road to a newly proposed site at the county’s Northwest Equestrian Park. This new location is conveniently situated just 2.3 miles away on S. Mobley Road in Odessa.

For over two decades, the Bakas Equestrian Center has been a staple in the community. However, its current setting is constrained to 9.26 acres within a residential area, which hampers its capacity for expansion and limits public accessibility.

To address these challenges, the county is actively considering a new, modernized facility through a request for proposals (RFP) process. By shifting operations to the Northwest Equestrian Park, the county aims to enhance operational efficiency, broaden program offerings, and improve public access.

This exchange of properties would not only allow for expanded programming but also provide a more accessible and modern environment for the community to enjoy.

Additionally, during the transition, there would be no disruption to current Bakas programs.

A virtual engagement will be conducted using the Hillsborough Engagement & Education Hub to collect feedback from the public regarding plans for the park. Input on this proposal opened Thursday and will continue through Tuesday, Oct. 28.

To participate virtually, go here.

The county will also hold two community meetings to garner input. The first will take place Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Maureen B. Gauzza Public Library, located at 11211 Countryway Boulevard. The second meeting will be on Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. at the same location.