St. Petersburg residents and outdoors lovers are in for a treat: The City is planning a new park for the area.
In the early stages of the planning process, the new $1.6 million park is being developed for the vacated
Rio Vista Elementary School site at 6th Street and 83rd Avenue N.E. in St. Pete; a public meeting was held on July 25th, discussing conceptual plans for the proposed Rio Vista Park.
“It has long been recognized that northeast St. Petersburg is lacking in recreational opportunities,” says
City Parks and Field Operations Superintendent Phil Whitehouse. “The
Parks and Recreation Department tries to look at service levels in all areas of the City to provide equal opportunities for recreation. This park will provide an avenue for recreation where one does not currently exist.”
Funded by
Weeki-Wachee funds that were set aside for recreational projects, Whitehouse says a large portion of the budget wil go toward the demolition of the school that currently sites on the park site.
The City is currently also working on an approximately $700,000 master/management plan addressing concerns at
Maximo Park at 34th Street South and Pinellas Point Drive. Funded by
Penny for Pinellas and the
Florida Boating Improvement Program, Maximo is expected to include renovated boat ramps, restrooms, new educational signage and native plantings upon completion.
Writer:
Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
Source: Phil Whitehouse,
City of St. Pete
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