ORLANDO, Fla. – Former Orlando District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill is raising concerns about the City of Orlando’s new plans for the Jackson Community Center in Parramore, saying residents have been asking questions about what changes mean for the neighborhood’s longtime resource.
“Service is the rent I owe for being here,” Hill said Monday, as she pressed city leaders for clarity.
Hill, who was raised in Parramore and previously attended programs at the Jackson Center, said some community members recently approached her believing the facility would eventually be used only for 13-year-olds. She argued the center has traditionally served a wide range of residents — including seniors and adults — not just youth.
“For seniors, for community members to come and work out because there’s a health and wellness component that’s community-related to this facility,” Hill said.
The City of Orlando says the Jackson Center will shift its after-school focus starting Tuesday. Going forward, the center will operate as an after-school program for students in grades six through eight, Monday through Friday.
City leaders said the middle school years were chosen intentionally, describing the time as critical for keeping kids on a positive path.
“That is primetime when you talk about going in the right direction, wrong direction,” said current District 5 Commissioner Shan Rose.
Commissioner Rose said the decision was also driven by concerns raised by residents.
“We’ve had community fights in the neighborhood and they’ve told us they don’t have anywhere to go,” Rose said.
Another city official said middle school students in mixed-age households often don’t get space of their own.
“When you have mixed households middle school kids don’t really get a chance… to breathe, to think, to process. They’re always in like second parent mode,” said Commissioner Rose.
The city emphasized that other parts of the Jackson Center’s services will remain available, even as the after-school programming shifts toward middle school students.
“You can still rent the center for activities. You can still come to the weight room. Our seniors program will remain the same,” a city representative said. “But what’s changing is our after school… making sure [middle school kids] have a place that’s safe to call their own.”
City leaders said the goal is to support students during a key stage and help them grow into well-rounded members of the community.
City officials said the change is part of a broader approach to provide after-school options across Orlando:
Downtown Rec Center: after-school care for high school students
Callahan Center: programs for elementary students
Jackson Community Center: middle school after-school programming beginning Tuesday
The city said new programs at the Jackson Center will include STEM, culinary and dance.