A new arrangement benefits budgets and provides children with more convenient access to room to romp.
By CARRIE JOHNSON
Published April 18, 2004
ST. PETERSBURG - As the father of two young children, Mayor Rick Baker has logged many hours at the local playground. He lives within walking distance of a park, a nice benefit when his kids want to play.
Shortly after taking office, Baker decided all the city's children should enjoy the same luxury. So he set a goal: No child should live more than a half mile from a playground.
On Friday, Baker announced he was one step closer to meeting it.
With school officials and City Council members at his side, the mayor dedicated the city's first joint-use park at Mount Vernon Elementary School, 4629 13th Ave. N. Three more are planned at Rio Vista, Lakewood and Maximo elementary schools.
This marks a first in the relationship between the city and the county school system. During the day, the playground will be used by Mount Vernon students. After school, the playground will be opened to the public.
The city paid the $80,000 for the playground and will maintain the site. Children have already begun flocking to the brightly colored equipment, which includes slides, swings and an elaborate jungle gym.
"This is a quality-of-life thing," Baker said. "And the reason people live in St. Petersburg is the quality of life."
While the city already shares many athletic facilities with schools, Baker said this is the first time schools officials have allowed their property to be used without supervision.
There were some initial concerns about liability but both sides came to see the benefit of the arrangement. For the city, it added playground space without having to acquire and buy land.
For school officials, they can spend money that would have gone toward playground equipment on other resources, such as teachers or textbooks.
"This will also help integrate the schools back into the community," said Deputy Mayor Mike Dove.
Each playground costs the city about $75,000. Some are funded through grants. Others will be paid for through the city's capital improvements budget.
Baker's next goal? Ensuring there is a bathroom at each of those playgrounds.
"If you've got a 5-year-old, he's not going to be able to walk a half-mile to get to a bathroom," he said.
That's still a long-range plan, not scheduled to be completed until about 2011, Baker said. The city would use money from Penny for Pinellas to fund the project.
