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Kapok wetland project opens today

By Times Staff
Published December 13, 2005

	[Times photos: Skip O'Rourke]
	Alligator Creek flows through Clearwater's new Kapok Park on Monday. The 37-acre park, a wetland and flood plain restoration project, replaces the mobile home park Friendly Village of Kapok that the city bought in 2002.
	A newly planted cypress tree, right, shows its color in the wetlands area of the Kapok Park project. A grand opening will take place at 3:30 p.m. today. Twenty six of the park's 37 acres are wetlands. The park features a 4,700-foot trail and boardwalk, three new bridges and 22 parking spaces. The project's goal was to recreate the area's flood plain, reducing flooding and regulating the flow of Alligator Creek.
	Restored wetlands can be seen in Kapok Park. The $19.3-million project was paid for in part by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the state Department of Environmental Protection.

FROM MOBILE HOME PARK TO NATURE PARK: Clearwater celebrates today the completion of the Kapok Park wetland and flood plain restoration project. Kapok Park replaces the Friendly Village of Kapok, a 230-lot mobile home park built in 1964.

The new park covers 37 acres, 26 of which are wetlands. It features a 4,700-foot trail and boardwalk, three new bridges and 22 parking spaces.

The $19.3-million project was paid for in part by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

WHY THEY BUILT IT: In April 2002, Clearwater purchased the mobile home park and took on the project of moving more than 200 residents. The project's goal was to recreate the area's flood plain, reducing flooding and regulating the flow of Alligator Creek.

The city has done a similar project at Prospect Lake Park near downtown and has a third flood-control project under way at the former Glen Oaks golf course.

TO GET A LOOK: The park is at 2950 Glen Oak Ave., a few blocks west of McMullen-Booth Road. City and state officials will celebrate the park's opening at 3:30 p.m. today. The ceremony is open to the public.

[Last modified December 13, 2005, 01:30:24]