About Palm Harbor Parks & Recreation

Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation is a nonprofit organization that oversees county property. All facilities managed, except Palm Field, are owned by Pinellas County and operated by Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation. We, along with the Palm Harbor Library, are overseen by a volunteer board called the Palm Harbor Community Service Agency (PHCSA, pronounced Fix-sa). PHCSA was established in 1985 according to Pinellas County Ordinance 85-28, to provide library and recreation services to the residents of the Palm Harbor Community Services District, which is a municipal services taxing unit. The 0.5 mills ad valorem tax, voted on by the residents of Palm Harbor, is allocated to library and recreation services. Any additional funds needed to operate are raised independently by each entity.

Palm Harbor Parks and Recreation does not require a membership fee. Some programs are free to the public, while others have a minimal charge. We collaborate with various sports organizations to provide high-quality recreation on our fields. Our goal is to serve as many residents as possible!

PHCSA Meeting Agendas

Our agency proudly manages all recreation and library department funds while also hiring the directors for Palm Harbor Parks & Recreation, the Palm Harbor Library, East Lake Community Library and the East Lake Recreation Services District. Comprising eight appointed members who serve two-year terms, our professional Board conducts monthly meetings on the third Wednesday at 7:00 pm. We rotate our meeting location each month as each department hosts, and we welcome public attendance to join our open meetings.

Origin and History

The Centre was constructed in 1999 as the Palm Harbor Senior Center using funds from Penny for Pinellas, grants from the state of Florida, and a significant contribution from the North Pinellas Community Action Council from the proceeds of a land sale. It quickly became a cornerstone of our community. However, within four years, it encountered financial difficulties due to the lack of steady, ongoing funding. At that time, the Parks and Recreation department was operating out of a small, local house that had become too small for its needs. Both groups were in need of a partner.

In 2004, the experimental merger between the Senior Center and Parks & Recreation was deemed successful and made permanent. Consequently, it became known operationally as Parks & Recreation, the Senior Center, the Activity Center, and possibly under other variations of those names.

“Why Palm Harbor Parks & Recreation? Why in 2012? It was time. It was time to get everyone on the same page, to unify our multi-generational programming under one easily remembered name, and to take our place as the center of all things community in Palm Harbor.”

Palm Harbor has a rich history, as do its parks, recreation facilities, and senior community programs. Since 1985, PHCSA (pronounced Fix-Sa) – the Palm Harbor Community Service Agency – has been the governing agency responsible for providing leisure services to the residents of Palm Harbor.Palm Harbor has a rich history, as do its parks, recreation facilities, and senior community programs. Since 1985, PHCSA (pronounced Fix-Sa) – the Palm Harbor Community Service Agency – has been the governing agency responsible for providing leisure services to the residents of Palm Harbor.

The new umbrella organization of Palm Harbor Parks & Recreation consolidates parks and recreation activities with the community center. Our goal is to continue supporting and generating income to sustain our commitment to affordable and accessible programs and services. We also aim to establish a clear path for sustained growth and expansion.

Looking forward, we are confident that Palm Harbor Parks & Recreation, along with its facilities, parks, and multi-sport complexes, will remain a central part of Palm Harbor and continue to maintain a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with the community that established it.