Spring is here, the weather is beautiful, and the city and parks are bustling. The Waterfront Parks Foundation has been busy, and I’d like to share with you some of the exciting projects we have been working on.
One of our most recent achievements took true collaboration. I want to express my sincere appreciation for the hard work and partnership between our organization, the City Parks Department, Advanced Engineering & Design, and the Majeed Foundation for the waterfront swing that was recently installed in Flora Wylie Park, at the intersection of Coffee Pot Blvd and Northshore Dr. NE. It was the brainchild of WPF founder Phil Graham, who made this all happen. If you have not been able to enjoy the swing yet, please be sure to stop by this new park amenity and relax for a bit at the water’s edge. We have installed a QR code at the swing to get feedback from the public, and we greatly appreciate the great response we have already received. We invite everyone to the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, which we will hold on April 20th, 2022 at 10:00 am. We would love for you, friends, neighbors, and city officials to join us for its official dedication.
The Waterfront Parks Foundation recently presented to the St Petersburg City Council with an update on our latest efforts to support the downtown waterfront parks, including the seasonal flower plantings, the swing installation, future sign and utility installation plans, and ongoing maintenance of the beautiful green open spaces that grace our shoreline for all to enjoy. We appreciate the relationship we have with the City staff as well as City Council, and have been working closely with them on additional ways to protect, preserve and promote our wonderful parks. Their continued support for the protection and enhancement of our waterfront parks is invaluable to our mission and future.
Until next time, enjoy the parks, and share them with all of those around you.
Logan DeVicente
President
Waterfront Parks Foundation
Join Us for Our Park Swing Dedication
All are invited to join City of Saint Petersburg Parks & Recreation Department and the Waterfront Parks Foundation (WPF) for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new waterfront parks bench swing prototype on Wednesday, April 20th, 2022 at 10:00 am in Flora Wylie Park, located at the intersection Coffee Pot Blvd. and Northshore Dr. NE.
This prototype swing was funded through the generosity of the Majeed Family (MajeedFoundation.org). WPF has installed embedded QR Codes on the swing, which we invite you to use to provide your input on this new way to enjoy the waterfront. If public response is as positive as we anticipate, we plan to install additional bench swings in our downtown waterfront parks.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will feature City Council Chair and District 6 Councilmember Gina Driscoll, City Leisure Services Administrator Mike Jefferis, Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation, Bryan Eichler, The Majeed Family, WPF President Logan DeVicente, and WPF Founder Phil Graham, Jr.
Lassing Park Living Shoreline Restoration
Project Volunteer Opportunity
Amazing work continues at the southernmost park under WPF’s protection, Lassing Park, where Tampa Bay Watch, in partnership with the City of St. Petersburg, works to stabilize one of the last remaining undeveloped shorelines in St. Petersburg with the Living Shoreline Project.
The project kicked off in December 2021 when volunteers installed 250 oyster reef balls. These reef balls work to help stabilize approximately 700 feet of shoreline which was suffering from serious erosion.
According to Tampa Bay Watch, “Creation of a living shoreline project, including oyster reef balls, oyster shell reefs, and coastal wetland plans will prevent further erosion of Lassing Park, restore lost habitat systems to the bay, and improve water quality through natural biological filtration.”
Volunteer Opportunity on Earth Day
Another volunteer opportunity will take place on Earth Day: Friday, April 22, 2022 beginning at 9:00 am. Bill Dahl, WPF Board Member and with Old Southeast Neighborhood Association board, reports that 68 volunteers were already signed up as of April 12th to install oyster reef balls, oyster bags, and begin sea grass planting. Bill says that there’s something for everyone to do. All are welcome to come out, get your feet wet and help restore this city treasure. WPF will have a table at the event. Be sure to stop by the WPF table and say hello!
