Waterfront Park Public Meeting Takes Place Today

The latest waterfront park steering committee meeting takes place on Saturday from 10:00-noon at the Safety Harbor Public Library. City officials will hear a trio of proposals for the property and then solicit feedback from members of the community.

The city has been trying to decide what to do with the property since it purchased the 13-acre slice of land from the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa for $2.7 million back in February.

While the majority of the land has been designated as passive park space, there are still questions as to what kind of amenities to add to the grounds, as well as what to do with a one-acre parcel that is allotted for commercial use.

The steering committee cultivated three proposals for the property at a prior workshop in September. The purpose of this meeting is to "gain resident feedback, likes and dislikes, on each of the three concept plans created by" the groups, according to City Manager Matt Spoor.

While generally similar, the three proposed plans do have major differences that set them apart from one another.

Plan 1: Sun, Shade and Florida' Microclimates calls for comfortable environments for visitors throughout the park, utilizing tree canopies, shade structures and a splash pad to provide relief from warm weather. It also calls for a small vehicular roundabout at the end of Veteran's Memorial Lane.

Plan 2: A Destination for Playing, Entertainment and Relaxation emphasizes the organization of the space by combining a pedestrian trail, an open lawn area with a structured event platform and a fountain and a 5,600-square foot commercial or recreational building facility.

Plan 3: Water, Water, Water puts emphasis on the waterfront space by improving the boat launch, adding open air pavilions, a pedestrian trail and open events space, plus an observation deck at the water's edge.

Each of the three city commission candidates have weighed in on the issue recently, and their ideas include plain parkspace, an events venue and a possible commercial venture.

According to the city, Saturday's meeting is designed for those residents not on the committee to weigh in and be heard. The next meeting will be a presentation before the city commission in December.

For more information on the waterfront park, visit the City of Safety Harbor website.