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Neighborhood report

Teen's death puts spotlight on parks

The tax district is looking at short- and long-term goals for Logan Gate Park 3, as well as working on Logan Gate Park 1.

By JEFFREY S. SOLOCHEK
Published January 1, 2006

CARROLLWOOD - County commissioners will turn their attention on Thursday to the community park where a 13-year-old boy was found dead in early December.

The goal, Commissioner Ken Hagan says, is to put requested park improvements into high gear. The Logan Gate special tax district has talked for a couple of years about relocating the park from the secluded end of a dead-end street to a more visible location closer to the community entrance.

"I think this will probably expedite the opening of that park," said Hagan, who helped put $50,000 in the county budget to support the effort. "It's safe to say that development of the front park is going to happen."

The full cost of implementing everything the tax district has listed in a priority plan is close to $400,000. The tax district board has suggested it might contribute to the effort, and county commissioners are slated to discuss, among other things, selling the current park site and using the proceeds to improve the new site.

"The next step is to have a public meeting in the community to get feedback," Hagan said.

Tax district board chairman Don Hardy said the group is looking at short- and long-term goals for Logan Gate Park 3, which is where Stephen Tomlinson's body was found, and Logan Gate Park 1, which is on a much more well-traveled segment of Monterey Boulevard within the subdivision. He said his goal is to make Logan Gate Park 1 a community centerpiece, and to wind down the other.

He expressed strong confidence that changes are on the way.

"We are fully aware of what needs to be done. It's a budgetary process," Hardy said.

The tax district board is scheduled to meet Jan. 23 to gather the input that commissioners and the county parks department seek to make informed decisions.

Hagan said the commission will take up related matters, too, next week. He intends to ask his colleagues to consider naming the park, or a portion of it, after Stephen Tomlinson. He also plans to have Sheriff's Office representatives update the commission on the investigation.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter says the department is awaiting lab results before it can move forward. But she said she expected an announcement soon.

Hagan doubted the commission will take any official action on the park Thursday. "But," he added, "you never know."

[Last modified December 31, 2005, 09:28:04]