Over the last 20 years, Hillsborough County has tested several different policies related to athletic field development, operations, maintenance, and improvement plans. Some parts of the County have seen enhancements in assets and programs, while other areas have not for many reasons. The County had a goal of providing access to high quality athletic fields for all residents, so it engaged SFA to provide data, insights, strategies, and policy recommendations to achieve its goal.

Working with the County’s Parks & Recreation leadership and coordinating with elected officials, SFA assessed the historic field use agreements, analyzed field maintenance costs, developed a tiered cost recovery model, created guidelines for a scholarship program, and created implementation guidelines for new policies. SFA’s work helped guide the County in its decision making and communication efforts. Today, the County is on track to achieve its goal of providing better access to better assets and do so in a sustainable operating structure.