Tampa Republic

Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw expressed his enthusiasm for the extended Stay & Play program, stating, “The expansion of Stay & Play this Spring Break to include our Police Athletic League is an ideal opportunity to further enhance programs available for our youth. We are committed to working with our city and community partners to give our children safe and positive spaces to spend their time.”

Parks and Recreation Director Tony Mulkey highlighted the importance of the Stay & Play program, saying, “As schools let out for spring break, the Stay & Play program offers extended hours and planned activities as an option for enrichment, socialization, and fun in a safe environment. We recognize the importance of engaging with teens throughout our community for growth and character development. Stay & Play is part of Parks and Recreation’s strategy to reduce negative influences and empower our youth.”

Beginning Friday evening, March 8, the first day of Spring Break, Stay & Play hours will be extended from 10 pm to midnight at four city park locations, and an additional fifth Stay & Play location, also open until midnight, will be available at the Tampa Police Athletic League (PAL), located at 1924 W Diana St. A Tampa Police officer will be on-site at all five Stay & Play locations each night.

The initiative to extend the program's hours and add a new location was made possible through additional funding allocated to the program from the Tampa Police Department and Parks and Recreation Department following discussions of a citywide juvenile curfew.

As students with Hillsborough County Public Schools prepare for Spring Break, the enhanced Stay & Play program aims to provide supervised recreational activities for youth ages 13-19, offering a range of activities from sports leagues to creative arts. The program is part of efforts to create safe and positive spaces for teenagers to spend their time during school breaks.