- Promotion of the Parks through presentations to community organizations: Kiwanis, St. Petersburg Rotary, Sunrise Rotary, Women’s Chamber of Commerce, neighborhood associations, condominium associations, presentations at community events, etc.
- Provide support to the Parks Department for the upgrading of maintenance, appearance and facilities to insure proper attention and funding is provided by the City Administration and Council. This effort has brought the realization that the Waterfront Parks are not only historic landmarks, but also a major economic driver for the success of our City’s development. We have been successful in elevating the importance of these parks to our community’s success.
- Provide rationale for the Administration and Council to provide proportionately more funding to maintain and enhance these parks. (Prior to our intervention, all parks received the same level of maintenance – budget was established and divided equally amongst ALL city parks)
- Provided a new awareness of the importance of these parks and their open space views to the entire community.
- Engaged in planting projects to install flowers in the parks with volunteers.
- Engaged in park clean-up projects (Blue Ocean Park Cleanup) with volunteers.
- Supported and attended community events such as, Earth Day, Wine & Food Festival, Movies in the Park, Women’s Chamber events, etc.
- Provided community activities in the Parks such as “BocceBall” (a bocce ball tournament held in Elva Rouse Park for 3 years).
- Bringing attention to the importance of our Waterfront Parks through other events such as the “Sunday Shuffle” and the “Champaign Shuffle”.
- Working with the City for the replacement of signage, benches and trash receptacles within the waterfront parks. We will provide some funding for these elements as prototypes.
- Providing a prototype waterfront swing to be installed in Flora Wylie Park at a location to be determined
- Encouraging trimming of the mangrove mass that blocks views of Tampa Bay at Flora Wylie Park.
- Provide advocacy for the Downtown Waterfront Parks regarding preservation, maintenance and appropriate enhancements.
- Raise money for support of the waterfront parks, ie., benches, signage, legal fees for protection ordinances and land use designation, as well as support for organizations and events with parallel goals.
- Created website to support mission statement and provide information to site visitors.
- Created FaceBook page to promote the waterfront parks and to share information regarding park activities and the work of the Foundation.
- Developed an email list of community members, volunteers and stakeholders that want to participate in information sharing and events.
- Provide a newsletter (“Park Views”) to share goals, events, news and park activities to promote the Foundation mission and provide information to our constituents to further our goal to enhance the function, appearance and preservation of the downtown waterfront park system.
- Continue to advocate for open green space and unobstructed views of Tampa Bay within our downtown waterfront parks.
- Continue to be a support and consulting resource to the City Administration, Council and Parks & Recreation Department.
Accomplishments
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