Tampa Republic

This Memorial Day, the City of Tampa will celebrate the grand opening of the Vila Brothers Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.  

The Vila Brothers Park honors seven brothers who served in various branches of the military from World War II to Desert Storm.  

Mayor Jane Castor, along with city officials, community leaders, and members of the Vila family, will be present to mark this occasion on May 29 at 10 a.m. at 700 N Armenia Ave.

Following the ceremony is a community celebration featuring family-friendly activities. This event is free and open to the public.  

The first phase of the park was made possible through a $300,000 funding allocation in 2018. This initial investment brought essential amenities to the park, including a restroom, sidewalks, ADA parking, and an improved entrance off Armenia Avenue.  

In 2020, the City of Tampa continued to enhance the park by installing a shade structure over the playground, providing much-needed relief from the sun.  

The Armory Gardens Civic Association donated $5,100 for landscape and irrigation and an additional $5,000 for the playground shade. The city also received a grant of $2,600 from the National Realtor Association, which significantly contributed to the park's beautification.  

The Tampa Parks & Recreation Department is now finishing the final phase of work with $1.7 million that was allocated in the city’s FY ’22 budget. This work includes: 

• Four Picnic Shelters 
• Dog Park Shelter
• Large and Small Dog Parks 
• Exercise Trail with Fitness Equipment
• New Playground Surfacing and Equipment for ages 2-12
• New Pickle Ball Courts 
• Basketball Court Lighting, Resurfacing, and Equipment 
• New Fencing on the West Side 
• Additional ADA Parking Spaces on Cass and Lemon Streets 
• Interior Sidewalk Connections
• New Benches 
• New Entry Structure

"Vila Brothers Park is a shining example of Tampa's unity and commitment to the community, and I am grateful for the Tampa City Council’s support for it. This remarkable space honors the Vila family's invaluable service to our country while providing a vibrant gathering place for our residents and visitors," said Mayor Jane Castor. "We look forward to seeing this park benefit our local children for generations to come."

Hector Vila had a dream of a patriotic park, and it has been his wife Martha’s mission to help carry out his dream. A red, white, and blue theme is carried throughout the park along with the use of seven stars in various locations representing the seven Vila brothers. 

Original source can be found here.