Pricey Playground Eyed for Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach has long been a playground for boaters and nightclubbers.

Now it aims to become a playground for the youngest set of tourists: Kids.

The city is moving to create the Florida playground of a child's dreams, complete with a mega-play structure that resembles a giant sandcastle.

The pricetag is nearly a half-million dollars, and the location is at Pier 60 Park, the tourism epicenter of Clearwater Beach.

City leaders see the new playground as a draw for tourists with young children.

"This will be a signature playground that will welcome visitors to the most touristy part of our town," Clearwater spokeswoman Joelle Castelli told the Tampa Bay Times.

In addition, the city plans to install a $100,000 flag plaza, which will proudly fly the flags from of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. It will be located between Pier 60 and the Clearwater Beach Roundabout.

Plans for the $440,000 playground and the $100,000 flag plaza will go before the Clearwater City Council Thursday night, 6 p.m. Council members already have expressed early support for both projects, the Tampa Bay Times reports.

The Pier 60 Playground would be designed to be durable and to withstand the harsh Florida elements, including the baking sun, blowing sand and gusting winds. If approved, the playground will be installed by September. The plaza has yet to be designed.

The Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce lauded plans for the playground and flag plaza. On the chamber's Facebook Page was the message:

"We are so excited! A Sandcastle Playground is coming to Pier 60 Park on Clearwater Beach in Spring of 2013. The City of Clearwater continues to awe us with their inspirational plans for the beach. Thank you Mayor and Councilmen for making Clearwater and Clearwater Beach a special place to live, work and play!"

Get the Clearwater Patch newsletter delivered to your email each morning. It's free!