TAMPA, Fla. — University Area Community Development Corporation facilities and properties, including the University Area Community Center, Harvest Hope Park, University Area Computer Lab and Mort Park, will reopen on August 10 while following new safety procedures.
The parks and other facilities closed in March due to safety concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic.
While re-opening to the public begins Monday, in-person programming will not resume until the week of August 24.
“We know the past several months have not been easy, and we continue to navigate these unprecedented waters, but we feel that we can carefully re-open to the public following established safety protocols for staff and guests,” said Sarah Combs, executive director and CEO of University Area CDC. “We will continue to act thoughtfully and adjust as needed, as we’ve done since first closing our doors to the public in mid-March. But I believe that together, we can move forward towards some sense of normalcy, albeit ‘the new normal’.”
A new feature added to Harvest Hope Park during the closure is the colorful HOPE statue, created by Artist Junior Polo and filled with messages of hope written by community members.
Additionally, staff members planted new trees and installed hand sanitizer stations.
The UACDC also developed and provided free Prodigy virtual classes and online tutorials to help ease clients' burden through this uncertain time. More than 40 free video tutorials are available online on the following topics: life skills, painting, drawing, dancing, bass guitar, the shaker and more. They are available at uacdc.org/prodigyonline.
Free, live virtual Prodigy classes currently being offered. While in-person Prodigy programming will begin August 24, some virtual classes will continue to be available.
University Area CDC also developed numerous Get Moving! exercise videos featuring body sculpting, yoga, nutrition for children or dancing for senior citizens. All the videos are free to watch and posted at uacdc.org/getmovingonline.
In-person Get Moving! Free in-person classes will also resume on August 24.
