Otis Andrews Sports Complex, Florida, United States

3Dan G 5:00 PM Apr 25, 2017

Despite the millions of people, it's relaxing
Otis Andrews is where my 4-year-old practices and plays soccer in the Plant City youth league. The first time we went there, I swore I'd never go back, simply because of the parking situation. The park is located behind Hillsborough Community College, which means there's always a fair bit of traffic anyways. Add to that the collegiate-level sports, as well as an entire city's soccer mom population, and you start to get the idea of what you could potentially run into. As you head down the single two-lane drive that runs between the soccer fields and the track, you find yourself moving at a snail's pace. This is because no one knows how to drive or park. The paved lot to the right (as you head east) is nice. It's paved after all, with lighting. It's convenient to the track and big-kids soccer field. There is enough parking between the road and the field on that side, provided you park either backed-in, or pulled-in. Do you think that's the way people park, however? No? You're a smart one. People like to "parallel" park, though what they're parallel to is a mystery to me. Then, you get trapped behind those people who are too good to walk from their spots to their fields, but instead put their brakes and blinkers on to block traffic while they wait for a family of 12 to load up and back out. The dirt lot on the left side of the road (as you head east) is even more dangerous. First of all, there isn't a crosswalk between the left- and right-side parks, so Crossy Road is being played with people. There are (4) entrances to the dirt lot. By the time the entitled come in and park, however, those 4 entrances have been reduced to a single, in-or-out lane, that you have to know what you're doing in order to navigate. There are cars parked on the curbs, and the sheer uncaring of drivers trying to find spots is mind-boggling. Exiting is just the opposite of entering - it's the same situation in reverse. It might be better to park at Mike Sansone park and walk across the bridge over the creek. So you survived the parking situation! The first order of business is to down a stiff drink and check your hair for any new gray. Once you enter the field with limbs intact, it's like a sense of calm comes over you. It's a huge expanse of green, planted with grass that is somehow magically soft. Other than the gazebo immediately at the front of the park, there is no shade. For some reason, shade isn't really needed. At full sun, such as when my 4-year-old's games are, it's hot, but not uncomfortably so. There seems to always be a breeze blowing, and the crowds lessen so that you're not right on top of one another. Even the sound seems muted. It's relaxing, even when there are an even dozen games going on. There is a concession stand in the middle of the complex that sells hot dogs, chips, and drinks. I don't know of their prices, though. The soccer fields themselves are only painted on, and there are no identifying markers. It's up to you to find the right one, but it's not hard. There is a bit of a hike from the entrance to the kiddie fields at the back of the complex; I guess they figure the older ones don't need as much exercise. Finally, there is a playground directly behind the gazebo, but, there are so many occupants at a time that it's hard to discern the actual playground structure. I'm giving this an "average" score because the harsh parking experience outweighs the positive tranquility of the field itself.

2Fllorence H 5:00 PM Jan 2, 2018

Let's play ball
This complex is very busy with kids almost every weekend need shelter many soccer and play off games of all kinds family oriented