Picnic showcases community's assets

The seventh annual Northdale Summer Bash featured a new community center and an expanded park.

By SUSAN THURSTON

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 10, 2001

[Times photo: Toni L. Sandys] Madison Bowers, 3, races to the finish line Saturday during a relay race at the seventh annual Northdale Summer Bash held at the Northdale Recreation Center. More than 250 people attended this year's bash, which offered free food, games and fun.

NORTHDALE -- Northdale's annual picnic almost always attracts a good crowd. People enjoy the free food, the games and, most important, the friendly company.

This year's event featured all that and more -- a new community center and an expanded park.

More than 250 people attended the Northdale Civic Association's seventh annual Summer Bash on Saturday at Northdale Park. It marked the first picnic since the community center opened late last year in the northwest Hillsborough community of about 8,000 people.

The 7,000-square-foot center has a large meeting room, an arts and craft area, a game room, a computer lab and a kitchen.

The land along Northdale Boulevard had been slated for 450 apartments but was bought by the county to expand the park and build the community center.

"It (the apartments) would have been awful," said Dorothy Speer, a member of the civic association that led the fight against the apartment complex.

Nicole Nardella, 4, checks out the food as her mom prepares a plate during a relay race at the seventh annual Northdale Summer Bash held at the Northdale Recreation Center on Saturday, June 9, 2001.

Hillsborough County spent about $2.1-million on the community center, which also has playground equipment and basketball courts. The county plans to spend that much more on other facilities at the park, possibly a performing arts building or a gymnasium, Commissioner Jim Norman said.

Norman applauded Northdale's strong sense of community.

"Northdale is not a new neighborhood but they keep it nice," he said.

Residents said Northdale offers all the conveniences of a big city, but retains the charm of a small town. Many picked the area because of its mature trees, affordable homes and proximity to stores and services along Dale Mabry Highway.

"Northdale is a full American community," said George Aboud, president of the civic association. "We've got everything within a few minutes of your home."

Eddie and Brenda Cunill moved to Northdale from central Tampa in February because of the schools and location. They wanted a family oriented environment where they could get involved.

"We're Tampa natives," Brenda Cunill said. "We've always liked the area."

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