Hardee County Parks & Recreation

09/01/2026

🎃 CALLING ALL TRUNKS & CANDY CREWS!

Pioneer Park’s Trunk or Treat is coming soon on Friday, October 30, and we’re getting ready to fill the park with decorated trunks, plenty of candy, and a little "Swashbuckling" adventure.

We’re looking for local businesses, churches, organizations, departments, community groups, and families who would like to join the fun by:

• Hosting a decorated trunk
• Donating candy for the event
• Or doing both!

Trunk or Treat will take place from 5:30–7:00 PM at Pioneer Park, followed by a swashbuckling movie under the stars beginning at 7:00 PM.

This year’s event will send families on a Candy Quest in the park as they visit participating trunks and collect plenty of sweet treasures along the way.

Help us build a great night for Hardee County families and make Pioneer Park the place to be this Halloween.

Interested in hosting a trunk or donating candy? Contact Hardee County Parks & Recreation to get involved. Email [email protected] or call us at 863-473-4746.

Friday, October 30, 2026
Trunk or Treat: 5:30–7:00 PM
Movie: 7:00 PM
Pioneer Park

08/31/2026

Monday’s got you feeling a little squirrelly? Grab your coffee and come walk it off at the park.

08/27/2026

Don't miss this great opportunity at Pioneer Park to learn more about Hardee County 4H

Hardee County Parks & Recreation is happy to partner with our local 4H & IFAS programs for the youth in our community by offering free admission to the Wildlife Animal Refuge for those attending the Open House!

🍀 IMPORTANT REMINDER! 🍀
4-H Open House is THIS Saturday, August 29th! 🎉
📍 Nickerson Pavilion at Pioneer Park
🗓️ Saturday, August 29th
⏰ 11 AM–1 PM
This is a wonderful opportunity for families to come out, meet our amazing 4-H leaders, and explore the many interests and opportunities available through 4-H!
Your child can visit each booth, talk with our leaders, ask questions, and discover what interests them most. Whether they love 🐇 rabbits, 🐓 chickens, 🐄 livestock, 🌿 environmental science, or something completely different—there’s something for everyone!
And we’re excited to have some great community partners joining us! 💚
🦌 Hardee County BOCC – Free admission to the Wildlife Animal Refuge for those attending the Open House!
🌭 Hardee County Cloverleaf Foundation – Hot dog meals will be available on a first come, first served basis.
🍧 Hardee County Sheriff’s Office – Stop by and enjoy a FREE snow cone!
Bring the whole family, explore the opportunities, meet our wonderful 4-H leaders, and find the perfect 4-H interest for your child! 🍀💚
We can’t wait to see you on August 29th from 11 AM–1 PM!
🎉 Come see what 4-H is all about! 🎉🍀

08/25/2026

Congratulations Courtney on the shout out! The Parks & Rec team is so happy you are part of our team! We know who brings the fun around here 🤣🤩

-The Parks Team

Team Tuesday Shoutout this week goes to Courtney Graham.
Courtney Thank you for your dedication, teamwork, and the positive impact you make in our community. Your hard work and commitment are truly appreciated.
We are proud to have you on Team Hardee!

08/18/2026

Come out to the parks and get your daily dose of sunlight, nature & a little bit of history!

Hardee Lakes Park
Pioneer Park
Magnolia Park
Wildlife Refuge
Cracker Trail Museum

Adventure awaits in the great outdoors ☀️

08/17/2026

Meet Joyce Tullis, our Cracker Trail Museum Coordinator!

For Joyce, the museum is about more than the artifacts on display. Her favorite part is the stories behind them, especially the history of the Cracker Trail, how it got its name, and the cowboys who helped shape early Hardee County.

Although Joyce isn’t originally from Hardee County, she has spent the past 10 years living here and becoming part of the community. If she could step back in time, she says she would spend a day with some of Hardee County’s earliest settlers, experiencing life on Florida’s open range, traveling by covered wagon, watching the cow hunters herd wild cattle, and sitting around an open campfire.

One of her favorite things to share with museum visitors is the history behind the word “Cracker.” Many visitors are surprised to learn about its connection to the cracking of the cow hunters’ whips and its long history as a proud description used by generations of Florida families.

We’re thankful to have Joyce helping preserve these stories and share a little piece of Hardee County history with everyone who walks through the museum doors.

08/14/2026

🐾 WILDCATS, YOU SURVIVED WEEK ONE! 🐾

You made it through the first week of school, so we think you’ve earned a little time in the wild!

This Sunday August 16,2026, from 1–4 PM, come to the Hardee Wildlife Refuge and give us the secret code:

🤫 WILDCAT

Say the code and get into the Refuge FREE!

Trade the backpacks and school bells for bears, big cats and a little Sunday adventure.

🐾 Sunday | 1–4 PM
🌿 Hardee Wildlife Refuge
🤫 Secret Code: WILDCAT



North Wauchula Elementary Wauchula Elementary School Zolfo Springs Hilltop Elementary School Hardee Senior High School East Academy Learning Lab Alane Academy

08/13/2026

🌳 MEET THE TEAM: MARK 🌳

Meet Mark, the newest Ranger to join the Hardee Lakes Park team!

One of the biggest reasons Mark wanted to become a Ranger was simple: he wanted a job that kept him outdoors. Since starting, he says what has surprised him most is just how big Hardee Lakes really is!

His favorite part of the day? Seeing the deer out around the park in the early mornings. 🦌

We’re happy to welcome Mark to the Hardee Lakes team!

08/12/2026

🌳 MEET THE PARKS & REC SUPERINTENDENT: BEN 🌳

Ben has served Hardee County for 22 years, holding many different positions along the way. Today, as Parks & Recreation Superintendent, he helps keep our park projects and staff moving forward.

The biggest lesson he’s learned? No matter what position you hold, everyone has an opportunity to make an impact on the community and the citizens we serve.

Ben’s favorite park features are the Hardee Lakes trails and the Wildlife Refuge. He’s especially proud to have been involved with the Hardee Lakes shoreline fishing pier and recent improvements at Magnolia Park, the Wildlife Refuge, and Pioneer Park.

Thank you, Ben, for 22 years of service to Hardee County!🌟