West Tampa’s Salcines Park. By City of Tampa.
Last week, the ribbon was cut on the newly renovated Salcines Park in West Tampa. Once a hub for political and cultural gatherings.
Originally opened in 1991, the park has been a major cultural and historical part of West Tampa. It was named after Emiliano Salcines, a civic leader who community members called the mayor of West Tampa. Salcines was known from his popular department store where he aided immigrants and organized local civic groups
35 years later, the city renovated the park to create a more modernized and comfortable place to gather. While still reflecting its history and value. Tony Monk, a landscape architect with the city of Tampa’s Parks and Recreation Department, says working with the community was a top priority in the renovation process.
“The history of the community is really important to the folks who live there and that’s represented in the mural that we preserved on the wall,” said Monk. “And the materials that we chose for the park and the way that we emphasized gathering and community by having a nice large shaded shelter that really is the centerpiece of this park.”
The park now features an ADA-approved design, making the park accessible to all community members.
For more information on the history of Salcines park, visit Tampa.gov.