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2008 City Innovations Showcase
Recreation and Parks
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Renovation of the West Island Tot Lot
Town of Bay Harbor Islands
The Town of Bay Harbor Islands’ West Island Tot Lot was not only in need of major repairs, it also was non-compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In March 2007, the town completely renovated the park with assistance from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) program and the Florida Inland Navigation District. Some of the new amenities include a state-of-the-art ADA-accessible play structure, a shade structure, a permanent picnic shelter with tables, a pedestrian walkway and new benches.
Contact: Ronald J. Wasson, Town Manager
Town of Bay Harbor Islands
9665 Bay Harbor Terrace
Bay Harbor Islands, FL 33154
Phone: (305) 866-6241
E-mail: rwasson@bayharborislands.net
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Boys and Girls Club Teen Center
City of DeFuniak Springs
Through cooperation and support from the City of DeFuniak Springs, the Walton Board of County Commissioners, the school district and the local community, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast will be able provide a safe, positive place for the kids of DeFuniak Springs to go after school. The local governments, business leaders and community volunteers recognized the incredible need and have decided to do something about it. The new Boys & Girls Club of DeFuniak Springs will soon be a reality. It is a successful collaboration that will make a difference one child at a time!
Contact: Crawford W. Henley, President/CPO
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
13 Memorial Parkway, Suite 201
DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
Phone: (850) 862-1616
E-mail: bhenley@arc.net
Multiple Partners/Multiple Uses – One Community
City of Largo
The City of Largo and Pinellas County partnered to build a multi-purpose play area in a high-profile area within the city limits but surrounded by unincorporated county. The play area includes a court that provides space to play basketball, roller hockey and indoor soccer. The court has an innovative design combining a regulation basketball court with overarching goals that can also be used for hockey and soccer. The city built the court and on-demand lighting system. The county provided funding for the hockey dasher board system. The result is an open play area that serves the needs of three different sports.
Contact: Joan M. Byrne, Director
Recreation, Parks and Arts
City of Largo
P.O. Box 296
Largo, FL 33779
Phone: (727) 587-6720
E-mail: jbyrne@largo.com
James E. Grey Preserve Grand Re-Opening
City of New Port Richey
James E. Grey Preserve is a park reminiscent of Old Florida with its 80 acres of pristine, untouched nature. New improvements at the park bring nature closer to residents. Enhancements include a boardwalk, new trails, a fishing pier, public restrooms, more parking, a bridge and gate, and signage. Also, a canoe and kayak launch area have been established.
Contact: Doreen Lewis
Public Information Officer
City of New Port Richey
5919 Main Street
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Phone: (727) 853-1290
E-mail: lewisdm@cityofnewportrichey.org
Recreation and Aquatic Center
City of New Port Richey
This $14.8-million Recreation and Aquatic Center is the jewel of the City of New Port Richey and unites residents in recreational activities. The facility completely replaces the existing recreation center and city pool. The indoor facility houses two gymnasiums, a fitness center and meeting rooms. The aquatic center includes a kiddie pool, a lap pool, a diving pool and a plunge pool with a water slide and space to play water volleyball or basketball.
Contact: Doreen Lewis
Public Information Officer
City of New Port Richey
5919 Main Street
New Port Richey, FL 34652
Phone: (727) 853-1290
E-mail: lewisdm@cityofnewportrichey.org
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Five Senses Are Enticed by New Park
City of North Port
The City of North Port recently opened a Garden of Five Senses, designed to entice each of the five senses. Florida landscape weaves throughout winding walking paths on 3.5 acres of a 16.1-acre park. The park also features a life-size sun dial, several picnic benches, a water fountain and a butterfly garden. The first phase of the park, a $1.3-million venture, was designed to be easily accessible to the disabled. Two more construction phases are planned to add a learning center, reflection pond, walking trails, pedestrian bridges, a playground, picnic shelter and natural amphitheater and gazebo.
Contact: William Ward, Parks and Recreation Manager
Parks and Recreation Division
City of North Port
4970 City Hall Boulevard
North Port, FL 34286
Phone: (941) 429-7207
E-mail: bward@cityofnorthport.com
Protecting Myakkahatchee Creek
City of North Port
Considered a jewel of North Port, the Myakkahatchee Creek’s seven-mile strand winds through the heart of this city and is slated to become a true treasure for local residents. The North Port City Commission recently approved a master plan to develop the creek corridor into a linear park. The plan calls for the protection of one of the city’s primary water sources. The plan outlines steps to create passive activities along the water’s edge, such as hiking and walking trails and picnicking. More active activities will take place on the second tier of properties, including biking.
Contact: William Ward
Parks and Recreation Division Manager
City of North Port
City Manager’s Office
4970 City Hall Boulevard
North Port, FL 34286
Phone: (941) 429-7207
E-mail: bward@cityofnorthport.com
Rickards Middle School Gymnasium Flooring Project
City of Oakland Park
Oakland Park had adequate recreational facilities, but lacked a gymnasium. For the past six years, the Parks and Leisure Services Department has used the gymnasium at Rickards Middle School to operate a youth basketball league. The gymnasium floor was an outdated linoleum tile surface. City staff and the School Board of Broward County discussed a joint venture to replace the flooring in exchange for continued use of the facility. The focus was on sharing the cost of replacing the existing flooring with a rubberized surface. The project was completed in June 2007.
Contact: Brian Pagliao
Assistant Director of Parks and Leisure Services
City of Oakland Park
3900 N.E. 3rd Avenue
Oakland Park, FL 33334
Phone: (954) 630-4500
E-mail: brianp@oaklandparkfl.org
Private Development vs. Public Park
City of Oldsmar
When a large piece of waterfront property on Tampa Bay became available in an established residential area, there was concern about potential development. Concurrently, at a different location, the city’s Veterans Memorial had outgrown its site, necessitating street closings to accommodate ceremonies. With grant money, the City of Oldsmar purchased the waterfront property to establish Veterans Memorial Park, a serene setting with ample space for parking, ceremonies, picnicking and facilities. The massive monument and granite walls were relocated to the new site, more walls were added and amenities are planned.
Contact: Lynn Rives, Leisure Services Director
City of Oldsmar
Municipal Services Center
300 Commerce Boulevard
Oldsmar, FL 34677
Phone: (813) 749-1260
E-mail: lrives@ci.oldsmar.fl.us
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Miracle League Ball Field
City of Pembroke Pines
The City of Pembroke Pines, West Pembroke Pines Optimist Club and Joe DiMaggio Hospital partnered to establish a Miracle League and construct a special-needs ball field at Rose Price Park. The field was built to provide opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities to play baseball, regardless of their abilities. Each Miracle League player is paired with a helping buddy, and no one strikes out. Constructed with synthetic turf, the field accommodates wheelchairs and other assistive devices. The city funded the $500,000 construction cost and maintains the field.
Contact: Gordon Keibler
Assistant City Manager
City of Pembroke Pines
10100 Pines Boulevard
Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
Phone: (954) 431-4484
E-mail: gkeibler@ppines.com
City Trails
City of St. Petersburg
The City Trails Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan, originally adopted in 2003, continues to initiate projects to encourage safe bicycle and pedestrian travel. The city secured more than $20 million in federal grants and Penny for Pinellas funding through 2008. With more than 60 miles of bicycle facilities already, the plan calls for an increase to 93 miles by 2008 and ultimately to 150 miles by the end of the plan. The final network will connect 47 schools, 40 parks and other major events and/or attraction centers. At the end of the plan, two thirds of the city’s major road network will have bicycle facilities, and the city’s sidewalk network will be expanded from 350 to 450 miles. Currently, three major shared-use trail projects are in design including the Clam Bayou Trail, Pinellas Trail Extension to Downtown and the North Bay Trail.
Contact: Joe Kubicki, Director
Transportation and Parking
City of St. Petersburg
P.O. Box 2842
St. Petersburg, FL 33731
Phone: (727) 892-5274
E-mail: joe.kubicki@stpete.org
Play ‘N’ Close to Home
City of St. Petersburg
The mayor pledged to provide a public playground within a safe walking distance of every child in the city as part of his Play ‘N’ Close to Home initiative. In March 2004, the first joint-use playground was opened at Mt. Vernon Elementary School. To date, there are 12 such playgrounds in place with five newly opened sites at schools, a church, a community library and a youth athletic complex. By the end of 2010, St. Petersburg plans to add 27 new community playgrounds through Play ‘N’ Close to Home. An innovative win-win solution, schools receive state-of-the-art Americans with Disabilities Act accessible playgrounds at no cost to them, and neighborhood children have access to facilities during non-school hours and on weekends.
Contact: Susan Ajoc
Neighborhood Partnership Director
City of St. Petersburg
175 Fifth Street N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 893-7356
E-mail: susan.ajoc@stpete.org
Tennis Page in a Local Newspaper
City of Tallahassee
The Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Department Tennis Division has partnered with the Tallahassee Democrat newspaper to have a full page of information about tennis every week at no cost to the city. The page features tennis activities such as the wheelchair program, Special Olympics tennis, and the new United States Tennis Association (USTA) program called “Quick Start.” The tennis page features stories, tennis tips, player profiles and a regular “Ask Glen” column. The weekly page has been an effective tool to market the City of Tallahassee Parks and Recreation Department’s efforts to serve community needs as well as showcase upcoming events.
Contact: Glen Howe, Tennis Superintendent
Tallahassee Parks and Recreation – Tennis Division
City of Tallahassee
4750 N. Meridian Road
Tallahassee, FL 32312
Phone: (850) 891-3920
E-mail: glen.howe@talgov.com
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