Tampa Parks and Recreation is bringing back its annual Stay & Play summer program, offering teens ages 13-19 a safe, supervised place to spend summer evenings from May 29 through Aug. 8.
The program runs daily from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., except on holidays, at select recreation centers and pools throughout the city.
Launched in 2015, Stay & Play has welcomed more than 200,000 teens to participating locations across Tampa.
"We are just trying to make sure that we provide a safe and supervised environment for kids to be able to hang out. They can get food, they can play basketball, they can do arts and crafts. The Jackson Heights location have multimedia rooms where kids can go record music," said Lawrence Hollyfield, communications coordinator for City of Tampa Park and Recreation.
Activities throughout the summer include field trips, culinary classes, guest speakers including former and current athletes, future leaders training, community service projects, pool parties, art and music programs and athletics.
“Tampa’s teenagers don’t need to look far for something to do this summer, and we’re making sure of that before the school year even wraps up,” said Mayor Jane Castor in a press release. “Safe spaces, food, and something worth showing up for, that’s what Stay & Play and PAL deliver every year, and we’re proud to get the doors open early.”
Teens interested in participating must obtain a free “Teen Rec Card,” which can be registered for online. The card provides access to open gyms, fitness rooms, computer labs and open swim sessions at City of Tampa recreation centers.
The nine participating Stay & Play locations are Copeland Park Center, Cyrus Greene Community Center, DeSoto Park Center, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Complex, Grant Park Center, Gwendolyn Miller Center, Jackson Heights Center, Springhill Park Community Center and Williams Park Center.
With recreation centers open late and activities schedule throughout the summer, city leaders say Stay & Play continues to provide Tampa teens with safe spaces to stay active, connected and engaged while school is out.