Tuscawilla Park re-opens after days-long cleanup effort

Tuscawilla Park has re-opened on Thursday after being closed for 6 days due to storm damage, officials say.

The park closed on June 23 after a recent storm, when a “heavy downpour of rain and stormwater” caused a part of the sewage system to overflow, according to Ocala spokesperson Ashley Dobbs.

“Due to the lift station overflowing, staff had to wait for the water within the park to recede before cleanup initiatives could begin,” Dobbs said via email.

City staff removed debris, used liquid chlorine to disinfect the contamination and pressure washed all of the playground equipment.

The cleanup cost $1,269.44 and took about 16 hours for the city to complete, Dobbs said.

Tuscawilla Park is located on Sanchez Avenue and is open every day from dawn to dusk.