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Officials: New fire station won't interfere with Bealsville Park

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 4, 2009

PLANT CITY - A new fire station won't hinder recreation at a popular park in rural Hillsborough, an official said.

Some residents were alarmed when a surveyor's map appeared to show that the station would be located in the center of Bealsville Park, 5009 Nesmith Road. But county fire rescue Chief Kim Olsen said that's not the county's intentions.

The county plans to build the station on the eastern edge of the park so that it won't interfere with recreational activities.

"Anything that suggests we plan to build anywhere other than on the eastern edge is erroneous," Olsen said.

County Commissioner Al Higginbotham said he may relay residents concerns at Wednesday's county commission meeting.

The Bealsville fire station will replace the Springhead Fire Station at 4503 Coronet Road. The county said the Springhead station needs about $500,000 in renovations and the area would be better served by a station in Bealsville, an unincorporated community southeast of Plant City.

Olsen said a fire station, driveways, parking and retention ponds could be built on less than 5 of the park's 20 acres.

The county has estimated the new station would cost about $1 million.

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