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Humdrum park set for makeover

If a firm is hired Thursday, work will begin next month to jazz up Dell Holmes Park, on Lake Maggiore.

By MELANIE AVE
Published March 16, 2005

ST. PETERSBURG - It's a not-so-spectacular park on the northern shore of Lake Maggiore.

But city planners and local residents hope the ordinary 21.5-acre Dell Holmes Park will soon become a St. Petersburg jewel.

Mayor Rick Baker would like the park to draw people from all over the city, not just the surrounding neighborhoods. Planned park highlights include a golf practice area; a fitness trail more than half a mile long; two fishing piers; and a boundless playground, usable for children with disabilities.

"That sounds like a very good improvement," said Jennifer Trotman, 50, who runs an in-home day care about a block from the park.

On Thursday, the City Council will be asked to hire a firm that will begin to overhaul the park, between 19th and 34th streets S, off Murilla Way S.

The initial phase of work is set to begin in April and be completed in October, said John Green, the city's capital improvements director.

City administrators are recommending that the council hire Construct Two Construction Managers Inc. at a cost of $674,510. The firm would install six small picnic shelters, picnic tables, grills, a gazebo, a new playground restroom, lighting, gates, a fitness trail and benches. It also would update the existing restroom.

After the company's work is complete, city workers would work on walkways, the parking lot, signs and fishing piers - a $450,000 investment. They also plan to turn a grassy area on the western side of the park into a practice area for golfers.

Green described it as a scaled-down version of a driving range that will have a hitting surface and several target areas marked with flags.

Golfers have practiced on the triangular piece of land for years, despite city rules prohibiting it.

"I'm inspired to the fact that they are going to develop this area," said Bill Brown, 61, who has practiced his swing at the park for more than a decade. The golfers' only fear is that the city will charge them once improvements are finished.

"It should be free," he said. "For most local golfers it gives them peace of mind to come here and practice. It's a social outlet."

This fall, Green said, the city hopes to install the first section of the playground, which will cost $200,000. It is still seeking private funding and grants for the rest of the playground, expected to cost $800,000.

It is uncertain when the fishing piers will be built because of an ongoing $12-million dredging of muck that is robbing the lake of oxygen necessary to make it a healthy home for fish. When the project is complete, by the end of 2006, and water clarity and quality improve, the lake will be stocked with fish.

Park improvements are part of Baker's overall revival of 22nd Street S, which stretches through the heart of the struggling Midtown neighborhoods.

He has also pushed for the boundless playground, which is a fully accessible play area for children with disabilities.

St. Petersburg has several playgrounds with some handicapped-accessible equipment, including Lake Vista, Walter Fuller, Fossil Park and Campbell Park. But the only other boundless playground in Pinellas County is at Tyrone Elementary School.

Deputy Mayor Mike Dove said the city has long wanted a boundless playground to give disabled children more play options. Children with visual, auditory and physical impairments will be able to use the equipment.

"A child on crutches or in a wheelchair can have as much fun as a child who is fully ambulatory," Dove said.

Come November, city officials said they expect Dell Holmes Park, which is named after the city's late parks director, to move higher up in the public's consciousness. It used to be called Lakeview Park but was renamed two years ago after Holmes' death at age 58.

"At this point, this park isn't well known," said Lee Metzger, city services administrator. Once the park improvements are completed, "Hopefully ... it'll become a little more well known. It's just a gorgeous location."

-- Melanie Ave can be reached at 727 892-2273 or melanie@sptimes.com

[Last modified March 16, 2005, 01:32:17]