Lee County will celebrate a milestone this weekend when it opens the gates to the new Lee County Athletic Park, a multipurpose recreation facility years in the making. The grand opening is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. at 1304 Broadway Road in Sanford and will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, demonstrations, and activities for the public.
The park has been described by county officials as both a community gathering space and an economic asset. With fields designed for multiple sports, trails for walking and jogging, and facilities built with accessibility in mind, the Athletic Park is expected to expand opportunities for recreation across the county while positioning Sanford to host regional events.
The idea for the Athletic Park first surfaced during county planning sessions aimed at addressing the growing demand for modern sports facilities.
Youth leagues and families had long voiced the need for more fields, while civic leaders sought spaces that could support community health and attract outside visitors. Those conversations evolved into the blueprint for the new park, which now stands ready to welcome its first guests. At its heart, the park features multipurpose athletic fields that can be used for soccer, baseball, softball, and football. Trails weave through landscaped green areas, providing space for walkers and joggers.
Shaded seating and ADA-compliant restrooms reflect the county’s commitment to inclusivity, ensuring the park is accessible to residents of all abilities.
The design is intended to accommodate both casual recreation and competitive play. By meeting the standards needed to host tournaments, the park could draw teams from across the region, boosting traffic at local restaurants, hotels, and shops. Saturday’s event will give residents a chance to experience the park firsthand.
Tours and demonstrations, with Parks and Recreation staff guiding guests through the facilities will follow the ribbon-cutting. Food vendors, music, and activity stations will add a festive atmosphere, while families are encouraged to explore the grounds and join in the activities.
The event is free and open to the public, underscoring the county’s emphasis on making recreation accessible. Parking will be available on-site. The project has been framed as a quality-of-life improvement, ensuring that residents have access to safe, well-maintained recreational spaces close to home.
The Athletic Park is the product of a cooperative effort among the county, the state, and community partners. Funding was provided by county allocations, state recreation grants, and contributions from local sponsors.
Leaders have described the park’s completion as a model of how resources can be combined to achieve projects that benefit the public long-term. Once the opening ceremony is over, Lee County Parks and Recreation will begin the work of managing programming, maintenance, and scheduling. Seasonal leagues, school partnerships, and community events are expected to fill the calendar in the months ahead.
Officials have emphasized that the park will not remain static but will adapt to the needs of the community as it grows. Accessibility is expected to remain central to those plans, with the park designed to serve not only athletes but also walkers, families, and residents seeking social connection. From pickup games to tournaments, the facility is envisioned as a versatile hub that reflects the diversity of its users.
For Lee County, Sept. 13's ribbon-cutting is more than a ceremonial event. It represents the completion of a long-discussed project and the opening of a new space for recreation, connection, and opportunity. The county is inviting all residents to attend and see firsthand what years of planning and investment have built.
The celebration will be a moment of pride, not only for county officials but also for the families and organizations that advocated for expanded recreation. In the years ahead, the park will likely become a backdrop for countless games, gatherings, and memories.
As the ribbon falls, the Lee County Athletic Park will open as both a community space and a symbol of progress, a new facility that reflects the county’s commitment to health, vitality, and shared experience.