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<\/p>\nFifty-five-hundred square feet may be smaller than the lot of an average home, but for the residents of Harbordale, a neighborhood in southern St. Petersburg, it\u2019s enough to open up a whole new world.<\/p>\n
That beginning was celebrated Nov. 14 as Mayor Ken Welch and city officials, including council chairperson Copley Gerdes, council member Gina Driscoll and former council member Robert Blackmon, opened the expansion of Harbordale Park. The expansion was the result of the city\u2019s purchase of a derelict property blocking nearly the entire frontage of the park along East Harbor Road.<\/p>\n
Now, the park is fully accessible directly from the sidewalk and faces the local school, Arqam\u2019s Academy.<\/p>\n
Imam Mounir Bourkiza from the adjoining Islamic Society of St. Petersburg was on hand to offer an opening blessing, as were a delegation of schoolchildren dressed in the garb of their potential future careers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up just a half-mile away from here. This (park) is still on my bike ride,\u201d Welch said after the ribbon-cutting. \u201cYou can talk about the impact of that building \u2014 it was not a welcoming space. A lot of bad activity happened here.\u201d<\/p>\n
In his remarks, Welch noted that the park expansion was consistent with the principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design. With a building in front of the park, both the park\u2019s entrance and visibility into it was blocked, leading to its use for inappropriate and criminal activity. With the building removed, the space is more open, more visible and more safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery neighborhood should have access to this kind of park green space environment \u2014 not just the downtown waterfront,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis makes the third park that I have been able to acquire or expand in St. Petersburg since I\u2019ve been on (the) council,\u201d said council member Gina Driscoll, who represents Harbordale. Gesturing at the saplings planted in the newly opened space, she said, \u201cIf you look at the littles who have joined us today, this is why. By the time they grow up and become chefs and doctors and mayors, the trees behind us will be much larger.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow that you have a park that\u2019s safer and more beautiful, you can imagine having an Easter egg hunt here for the neighborhood. \u2026 We\u2019re planning a family fun day, and I think that\u2019s going to kick off a tradition of excellent programs and fun activities for families here in Harbordale.\u201d<\/p>\n
For the community members present, the excitement was palpable.<\/p>\n
\u201cI watched my children play while sitting on this bench, and look forward to the day when I see other new families come to this park and play,\u201d said Angel Torrens, president of the Harbordale Neighborhood Association. \u201cIt\u2019s about investing in our families and restoring our connection to nature.<\/p>\n
\u201cParks are the soul of St. Petersburg, and Harbordale is no exception.\u201d<\/p>\n
Driscoll and several other speakers highlighted the role Blackmon played in the park\u2019s expansion. The former council member recently completed the restoration of Harbordale\u2019s historic Standard Oil gas station. It\u2019s now the site of Pete\u2019s Bagels, which contributed food to the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe neighborhood in general is one of our earlier neighborhoods,\u201d Blackmon said. \u201cIt was platted in the 1910s and it was on the streetcar line. It\u2019s great to see its history being at the forefront of its future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The project led him to spend a great deal of time in the area, which led him to Harbordale Park. There he could see the impact of so much of the park\u2019s entrance being blocked. When the adjoining property was listed for sale, Blackmon alerted Driscoll and city officials and advocated for its purchase for the park.<\/p>\n
The rest is now history.<\/p>\n
Since the park abuts Salt Creek, Blackmon noted, its expansion served the neighborhood not just through beautification but also resiliency: The increase in permeable soil will mitigate potential flooding in the event of a storm.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a huge win for Harbordale,\u201d he said, \u201cand a huge win for South St. Pete.\u201d<\/p>\n