Unity in the Community Park

Unity in the Community Park is named after a local non-profit organization that has contributed millions of dollars to support Plant City area programs and activities. Founded in 1999, their purpose, as stated in their Mission Statement, is "to raise funds to help benefit those in need near Plant City, Florida. Those in "need" are determined by the Board of Directors. All actions taken by Unity In The Community are done with the common goal of helping individuals, or other charitable service organizations, to improve the lives of those in and around Plant City, Florida."

The Reflections of Plant City mural resides on the south wall of the neighboring Whistle Stop Gourmet Coffee & Eatery.  Painted in Fall, 2021, by artist Keith Goodson, the mural encourages visitors to visualize Plant City's past and present. 

The mural features some iconic faces in Plant City including Henry B. Plant, the railroad and hotel magnate that is the namesake of Plant City; Officer Lee Candis, the first African-American police officer for the City of Plant City; and, E.L. Bing, a noted educator and Hillsborough County Commissioner.  It also has notable Plant City landmarks like the Florida Strawberry Festival, the Nettie Berry Draughon Municipal Building (aka City Hall), Plant City’s 1914 High School, the strawberry water tank, the historic Bing Rooming House Museum, the State Theater and more. 

Near the portion featuring the festival grounds is a shining Corvette, which represents the annual raffle conducted by Unity in the Community. The center of the piece has a strawberry field in front of City Hall. 

Workers dressed in early 1900s attire are in the field and a young girl is prominently displayed to represent not only the strawberry-loving youth of our community, but also all of the visitors who flock to Plant City for the annual Florida Strawberry Festival and a chance to enjoy our tasty crop that makes Plant City famous as the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World.  The girl is Sarah Lofstrom — the daughter of Whistle Stop owners Jerry Lofstrom and his wife Marti — who was killed in a traffic accident in 2015. 

The far right features an homage to some of Plant City’s longest serving mayors: Michael Sparkman, who has served for nearly three decades as a city commissioner, mayor and vice mayor; Rick Lott, who has served for nearly two decades as a city commissioner, mayor and vice mayor; and, Sadye Gibbs Martin, who served for 15 years as a city commissioner, mayor, and vice mayor. Sadye Gibbs Martin was not only the first woman to become mayor of Plant City, she was the first female African-American elected mayor of a major city in Florida.

The mural also includes Bill McDaniel who began a career in law enforcement with the Plant City Police Department, served as chief of police for 16 years, then served as assistant city manager, and now is Plant City’s city manager.

The mural and renovated park were dedicated on November 16, 2021 following the completion of the mural and major renovations to the 1,500 square foot pocket park.

The park and adjacent parking lot were originally opened January 10, 2010.  A unique sculpture named Eternal Time, designed by artist Robert G. Woods, is described as an abstract grandfather clock.  It sits atop a buried time capsule with memorabilia of our time. The time capsule is scheduled to be unearthed and opened on the City's 200th birthday, January 10, 2085.  A 25-foot flag pole donated by the Plant City High School Class of 1969 stands near the mural along with a water fountain in memory of the late Mayor Sadye Gibbs Martin.

Special thanks to CITY Furniture for sponsoring the cost of creating the Reflections of Plant City mural and to Whistle Stop Gourmet Coffee & Eatery for providing the wall space.