Mike E. Sansone Community Park

History
The 77 acre park is named for Mike E. Sansone, a local barber, patriot and friend of scouting. Sansone, an Italian immigrant, settled in Plant City just before World War I, opening a barber shop. He left to serve in World War I and returned to help form the Plant City American Legion Post 26 in 1919. 

The Post was later named for Norman E. McLeod who was Plant City's first casualty of World War I and with whom Sansone served. Sansone also was a Master Sergeant training recruits for World War II. He became deeply involved with Scouting and devoted his life to youth. He was named the Plant City Jr. Chamber of Commerce's first Distinguished Citizen of the Year in the 1950s. Sansone was active in local volunteerism up to his death in 1963 at age 75.

Sources: Focus Magazine, Plant City Photo Archives and History Center, Plant City: It's Origins and History by Quintilla Geer Bruton and D.E. Bailey

Amenities
This park is home to:

The park facilities on either side of Sansone Boulevard include:

  • 4 lighted youth league size baseball fields:
    • Number 1 - Moore Field- Left 200 feet, Center 200 feet, Right 200 feet
    • Number 2 - Bianchi Field - Left 200 feet, Center 200 feet, Right 200 feet
    • Number 3 - Hickey Field - Left 198 feet, Center 200 feet, Right 200 feet
    • Number 4 - Walden Field - Left 180 feet, Center 180 feet, Right 180 feet
  • Two lighted youth league size softball fields:
    • Number 5 - Left 200 feet, Center 200 feet, Right 200 feet
    • Number 6 - Left 200 feet, Center 200 feet, Right 200 feet
  • Three lighted senior league size baseball fields:
    • Number 7 - Rush Field - Left 300 feet, Center 300 feet, Right 300 feet
    • Number 8 - Rupp field - Left 335 feet, Center 385 feet, Right 335 feet
    • Number 9 - Ranger Field - Left 314 feet, Center 380 feet, Right 314 feet
  • 3 concession stands
  • Bleachers
  • Score booths
  • 3 picnic pavilions:
    • SAN-2 - near Little League administration building - 5 tables, seats 40
    • SAN-3 - near volleyball courts - 2 tables, seats 16
    • SAN-4 - near east playground - 5 tables, seats 40
  • 3 restrooms
  • 1 playground
  • 6 lighted basketball courts
  • 3 lighted sand volleyball courts
  • Modular 8,500-square foot skate park
  • Paved 0.38 mile walking/nature trail through a wetland area

Visiting us for a tournament? Please stay at our local hotels

For rental information or field scheduling, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department administration office by e-mail at recinfo@plantcitygov.com or by phone at 813-659-4255 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Closed weekends and holidays. 

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Mike Sansone Park Pavilion photo
Mike Sansone Park aerial 1966
Mike Sansone Park aerial 2011