Hercules Park Playground: Where Forest and Legacy Meet

Who would have thought that the site of a former turpentine mill would one day elicit wows from the local children? That’s exactly what happened when the City of Zephyrhills, Florida, set out to transform a landmark of local history—and the surrounding natural forest—into a multifaceted outdoor recreation space for families. What began as a forgotten piece of land is now Hercules Park, a nature-inspired destination filled with laughter, activity and wows.

The land's story stretches back nearly 80 years. From 1946 to 1962, the Hercules Powder Company was a defining part of the local landscape. Nestled among the area’s oaks and conifers, the company’s mill and surrounding campus of residential buildings played a crucial role in the region’s economic and cultural fabric. Employees harvested pine stumps, which were processed to create turpentine and other chemical compounds used by the Navy. In its heyday, the Powder Company was the largest employer in the Zephyrhills area, offering not just jobs but housing to many local farmers and ranchers.