MANATEE COUNTY, FL (April 30, 2026) – Manatee County officials, community leaders and residents will gather at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 7, to celebrate the ribbon cutting of Washington Park, marking a major milestone for District 2 and the Palmetto community.

The event will recognize the completion of the park’s first phase, which includes a new playground, pavilions, restrooms, and the first stretch of walking trails, creating a new space for families, neighbors, and future generations to gather, celebrate and connect.

District 2 Commissioner Amanda Ballard, who will serve as emcee for the ceremony, said the park reflects a deeper investment in the community’s future.

“This is the realization of a vision that this community has carried for generations,” said Commissioner Ballard. “Washington Park represents what can happen when residents, community leaders, and County staff work together to create something lasting. We are proud to celebrate this investment and even more excited for what is still to come.”

Washington Park will continue to grow with future elevated trail expansions and the anticipated opening of the Lawrence C. and Clifford B. Livingston Community Center later this year. The center will serve as the heart of the park, honoring the legacy of community leaders whose impact continues to shape the Washington Park neighborhood.

The ceremony will include an invocation by Bishop Lawrence Livingston of Eternity Temple; the Pledge of Allegiance led by Michael Gallen, Director of Human Resources for the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and former District 2 Commissioner; and a special sign unveiling.

Additional remarks will be shared by Charlie Hunsicker, Director of Natural Resources for Manatee County; Laura Wallace, Chairman of the Washington Park Community Development Corporation; and Rita Smith, President of the Washington Park Community Committee.

Washington Park is part of Manatee County’s continued commitment to investing in neighborhoods, preserving community identity, and creating spaces that improve quality of life for residents across the county.