Planting for the Future at MacDill 48
This past weekend our team had the opportunity to return to one of Tampa’s newest and most innovative green spaces, MacDill 48, a stormwater smart park that opened almost exactly one year before our planting day. The park features a one mile partially paved walking and bicycling trail that winds through a lush forested canopy surrounding a ten-acre, twenty five million gallon stormwater pond. With three public entrances, visitors can enjoy covered picnic tables, pond side benches, and a fourteen foot wide boardwalk overlooking a natural wetland.
Beyond its beauty, MacDill 48 plays a crucial role in the City’s larger stormwater strategy. The massive pond at the center of the park helps maximize flood relief for the southeast portion of the Lower Peninsula Watershed, an area that often experiences heavy flooding. It is a model for how thoughtfully designed stormwater infrastructure can enhance both environmental resilience and community space.
A Day of Community, Nature, and New Trees
With nineteen dedicated volunteers, we planted thirty four bald cypresses ranging from small one gallon trees to impressive thirty gallon specimens! As we worked, we were treated to the unique sights and sounds of the nearby MacDill Air Force Base with planes soaring overhead and a surprising variety of local bird species enjoying the habitat around the pond. An unexpected highlight was a puppy meet up taking place in the park which added extra smiles to the day.
Why Bald Cypresses
Bald cypresses were intentionally chosen for this planting because they are one of the most resilient and ecologically valuable native tree species for wetland and stormwater environments. Their natural tolerance for flooding, standing water, and fluctuating conditions makes them ideal companions to the parks stormwater pond.
Bald cypresses help by:
• Stabilizing soil with their extensive root systems which reduces erosion around the pond
• Improving water quality by filtering pollutants as stormwater flows through their root zones
• Providing habitat for birds, amphibians, and beneficial insects
• Sequestering carbon and contributing to long term canopy growth which enhances shade cooling and overall ecosystem health
• Thriving in wetter climates which ensures longevity and lower maintenance as the park continues to mature
A Perfect Ending
After the planting, everyone gathered for a relaxing picnic in the park. The weather was perfect, cool, comfortable, and ideal for taking in the scenery. Volunteers were able to look out over the fresh landscape, admire the newly planted cypresses, and appreciate the collective impact of their work.
Thank You
A heartfelt thank you to our partners, Muslim Volunteer Program and Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful, for helping make this planting such a meaningful success. Your support, collaboration, and energy continue to grow a greener and more resilient community.
This event is just one of many steps toward nurturing a healthier, more vibrant environment. Stay tuned for upcoming volunteer opportunities, community projects, and ways you can continue making an impact!
