Waterfront Park Issue Takes Center Stage in Safety Harbor

It’s a problem many communities would love to be faced with: how to utilize a slice of prime waterfront property in a way that maximizes its potential to residents and visitors. 

That’s the fortunate situation Safety Harbor citizens are currently dealing with in regards to a 13-acre piece of prime real estate located on Old Tampa Bay behind the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. 

The city purchased the property, which stretches from Church Street to the Marina, for $2.7 million in late February, with plans to turn it into a waterfront park complete with a large, open area for community events. 

While it's certain the majority of the space will be turned into a passive park, what’s uncertain is what kind of amenities will be added to the grounds, as well as what should be done with a one-acre section of the land that’s been designated for development. 

“It’s pristine property, and most of it will be parkland except for the one acre block,” City Manager Matt Spoor said. “Nature is going to be the theme, but for the acre plot, there’s plenty of options.” 

In an effort to get input from residents and visitors to the area, the city is asking citizens to complete an online survey to voice their opinions regarding what they want to see done with the park. 

Choices include everything from trees and picnic shelters to water features and shuffleboard courts.

What kind of amenities and features would you like to see at the park? What commercial development, if any, should be included? Share your opinion in the comments section below.

While the general outlay of the park is settled, the one pressing question that remains is what will be done with the one-acre parcel.

Should there be a restaurant, splash park or bait shop added, or should the space be left alone and seamlessly integrated into the rest of the area?

"We put limitations on what can be built there. Nothing over three stories," Spoor said. "We don't have any plans to do anything big down there."

And while Spoor agrees the survey shows residents are have mixed feelings about what should be done with the space, some believe there shouldn't be any such options.

"When the city first apprised citizens of the issue, it was all about the park. There was no talk of any commercial development," local activist and artist Terrie Dahl Thomas said.

"But all three proposals floated by the steering committee had that spot reserved for commercial development."

Thomas stressed that the most recent results of the survey show that out of 287 responses, only 30 voted for a restaurant to be built on the spot. She believes any kind of development, including a splash pad or bait shop, will take away from the whole point of the park.

"They (the city) think you have to put something down there to attract people to the area. The waterfront is the attraction. People already go there for the waterfront."

There are two communities workshops scheduled to discuss the issue, one in September and one in October. The next steering committee meeting will also be in October. Visit the City of Safety Harbor website for more details.