Sandcastle Playground Plan Put on Hold

Upgrades are expected to come to Pier 60 Park, but they won’t include a pricey sandcastle playground structure.

City leaders briefly discussed removing the more than $300,000 item that is part of a nearly $600,000 package of renovation work at the park, which is sandwiched between Clearwater Beach and the roundabout.

The other parts of the project including an entry sign, repairing parts of the existing seating wall and walkways, irrigation and improving the special event layout to mesh the park more closely with the look of Beach Walk still could still be completed. Plans also call for adding a military flag plaza.

City leaders still have to approve the expense, minus the playground, at the city council meeting Thursday.

Already, the Clearwater Neighborhoods Coalition, Clearwater Beach Association, Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Beach Chamber all were opposed to the plan. The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board also was against it, said Kevin Dunbar, director of the parks and recreation department.

“We should not be doing this playground at this time,” Mayor George N. Cretekos said.

Because of tightened budgets, for the past few years playgrounds have been removed at parks throughout the city.

Playgrounds within a mile radius of each other and that have surpassed their useful life are destroyed, Dunbar said, explaining the strategy used to determine if a playground should be removed.

The city has removed seven playgrounds and plans to remove another at Coachman Ridge Park later this year, Dunbar said.

“There’s actually a method to why that is done,” Dunbar said.

Country Hollow Park: The playground was not replaced because it was vandalized multiple times and the thought was that a new one would be also. The park also is within a half mile of Forest Run Park.

Plaza Park: Playground was removed because of its age. The park is three blocks from North Greenwood Aquatics Complex.

Ed Wright Park: Playground was destroyed because of age. A new, large playground structure was built at nearby Ross Norton Park.

Countryside Library: A playground structure there was removed. Additional equipment at Coutryside Comunity Park was added, Dunbar said.

Coachman Ridge Park: The playground is scheduled to be destroyed later this year. The Long Center and its elaborate playground is just east.

Kings Highway Center: The facility is used by a contracted group. The group did not want to replace the playground after it reached its use.

Cypress Point: The park is surrounded by unincorporated properties. The amenities were built as a way to entice residents to annex into the city, Dunbar said. That was not successful.

Northwood Park: The playground is still there, although it has lived a long life, “because it barely gets used,” Dunbar said.

Overbrook Park: The structure was removed because there are three playgrounds in a mile radius.

Related coverage:

• Sandcastle Playground Cost A Concern to Residents
• Pier 60 Park Playground: Are You in Favor?
• Is Pricey Playground for Pier 60 Park Needed?
• Letter to the Editor: Pricey Playground Planned for Pier 60 Park
• Clearwater Beach Association to Hear More on Sandcastle Playground Plan
• Pricey Playground Eyed for Clearwater Beach

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