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'Pocket parks' may sprout in dirt lots
By CHRISTOPHER GOFFARD © St. Petersburg Times, published February 9, 2001 TAMPA -- By turning over blighted, forgotten slivers of land to people who live near them, city leaders hope to see tomato gardens, swing sets, statues and a stronger sense of community rise in their place. The proposed "pocket parks" program would allow neighborhood groups to build community gardens, playgrounds and parks on abandoned city-owned properties across Tampa. The city would deed the lots to community groups, who would bear the responsibility of keeping them up. On Thursday, the City Council asked the real estate department to compile a list of such properties. "I could yak about how wonderful it would be for probably an hour," said Linda Hope, a trustee of the Sulphur Springs Action League, a community association in one of the neighborhoods that could benefit. Hope cheered the possibility that the project could lead to more play space for neighborhood kids, "even if it was just a place they could play ball without getting run over." But she questioned whether neighbors would be liable if, say, a child fell off a swing. The city's legal department has suggested that neighbors could form corporations for the purpose of running the parks, thereby protecting individuals from liability. "The hard part is, the civic associations are going to need to be really organized if they want to do this," said council member Shawn Harrison, who has pushed the project along. "We're not going to be able to do these deals unless the civic associations are incorporated." Council member Bob Buckhorn, also instrumental in moving the plan forward, said there are at least a couple dozen properties city-wide that would fit the bill. Areas such as Seminole Heights, Sulphur Springs and North Tampa might benefit particularly. Similar programs have flourished in cities such as Denver and New Orleans. "It sort of gives the community a focal point, a common ground," Buckhorn said. "It's sort of a rallying point. It sure beats an overgrown lot or an abandoned crack house." - Christopher Goffard can be reached at (813) 226-3337 or goffard@sptimes.com.
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From the Times |
