Parks and Recreation Department - City of Clearwater

Parks and Recreation
Department

Introduction
Calendar year 2005 saw the continuous assertion of the Parks and Recreation Department as
one of the top quality of life service providers in the State of Florida. Once again new facilities
and programs were added that only continue the long legacy of high-quality offerings with the
addition of the new Ross Norton Recreation and Aquatic Complex and Extreme Sports Park
and the completing section of the first leg of the East/West Trail with the overpass connection
of McMullen Booth Road and the collaboration of Parks and Recreation with Public Works
Administration to open Kapok Park.
The department’s impact on the quality of life and what makes Clearwater so special was
evident in how our citizens overwhelmingly respond when asked what is positive in Clearwater.
The following report summarizes many of the successes and accomplishments in the year 2005.
Administration and Projects
Several key projects were completed and several new ones were funded during 2005. The
following highlights their successes.
Administration and Projects Highlights in 2005
Implemented RecWare, a comprehensive software program, that supports the City’s
recreation and athletic programs in program registration and membership and fiscal
management, which will ultimately provide 24/7 access to citizens for registration.
Completed construction of the McMullen Booth Overpass,
part of the East/West Trail, Ross Norton Recreation and
Aquatic Complex and Extreme Sports Park to include the
state’s largest outdoor skatepark, and celebrated the grand
opening of Kapok Park. Kapok Park conserves and provides
26 acres of wetlands while creating a breathtaking nature
park. The park contains many park amenities including trails
that connect to the Clearwater East/West Trail.

Received a Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant from the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection, a recreation grant from Pinellas County, a grant
from the Long Center Foundation for the construction of a limitless playground to replace
the “Sunshine Playground” at the Long Center, and a Land and Water Conservation Fund
grant for the creation of Myron A. Smith Bayview Park.
Coordinated 14 Volunteer Beautification
Projects at various facilities equating to
1400 volunteer hours. Supported
departmental efforts through the
coordination of 29,650 volunteer hours
equating to $460,000.
Recreation Programming
Expansion was the theme for the Recreation Programming Division in 2005 with the addition
of the Ross Norton Recreation and Aquatic Complex and Extreme Sports Park, completion of
the renovation of the McMullen Tennis Center and renovations to the Long Center.
Recreation Programming Highlights in 2005
Completed Phase 1 of the Long Center Renovation Project, which
includes a 2,000 sq. ft. fitness room and a renovated gymnasium.
The Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) provided $108,784 for our three
teen lounges. Also, accepted a grant in the amount of $111,055 from
JWB for middle school aged children to attend summer camps.
Received two grants totaling $25,000 from the Long
Center Foundation for scholarships and enhanced teen/
youth programs.
Taught over 12,000 swim lessons to children and adults
in our five swimming pool complexes.
Provided hands-on environmental education to over
4,500 Pinellas County 4th graders through a cooperative
effort between the Southwest Florida Water
Management District and the Pinellas County School
Board.
Co-sponsored and facilitated the 25th Annual League of
Environmental Educators in Florida’s state conference.
The conference was attended by over 175 environmental
educators, administrators, regulators and students from
throughout the State of Florida.

Offered 17 staff-led summer camp programs at six City recreation centers for a total of 1288
children and offered 20 contract instructor led specialty camps throughout the City.
Completed a renovation of the Henry L. McMullen Tennis Complex. The new look courts
have the same coloring as the U.S. Open series as well as new fencing, water fountains,
benches, canopies and fence dividers. Also, hosted two charity women’s tennis
tournaments (Big Brothers/Big Sisters and the American Cancer Society).
Co-sponsored 15 youth and four adult groups, totaling over 4,000 athletes. These programs
range from Shuffleboard and Lawnbowl players to the upcoming sport of Lacrosse. The
Athletics Section also managed over 50 athletic tournaments this past year. These events
had over $20 million of economic impact to our community.
Events and Festivals
2005 saw the completion of the Memorial Causeway Bridge which allowed the Events and
Festivals section to once again program more activities at the popular Coachman Park venue.
In addition, more events were programmed at the Bright House Networks Field off Old
Coachman Road.
Events and Festivals Highlights in 2005
New offerings in 2005 included the State of Florida Chili Championships, Hispanic Heritage
Festival, Q-Fest and continued with many annual events including Next Big Thing, Fun N’
Sun Festival, Turkey Trot, Wildsplash, Clearwater Celebrates America and Pirate Fest.
Provided fundraising opportunities to more than 40 different
Clearwater based non-profit organizations.
Events at Coachman Park and Bright
House Networks Field drew more
than 210,000 attendees.
Provided support for over 42
community activities, rentals, ribboncutting
ceremonies and co-sponsor
events.

Cultural Affairs
This section is now in full bloom and is providing a valuable resource to a community that has
embraced the arts.
Cultural Affairs Highlights in 2005
Completed a Public Art Needs Assessment to establish the history and level of expectation
of arts support in the City of Clearwater.
The Clearwater Public Art and Design Ordinance was adopted by City Council in October,
2005. This ordinance requires a percent of construction costs be dedicated to public art for
both public and private development projects.
Cultural Affairs hosted and coordinated Sister City exchanges
with Nagano, Japan resulting in visits by:
12 Nagano Middle School students, 3 chaperones in August.
2 Nagano teachers in October - November.
4 Nagano high school students in February.
4 Clearwater High School students and teachers to Nagano
in June.
The 2005 highlight was the coordination of an official delegation
of Nagano City leaders and citizens who visited Clearwater from
April 26 - 29. During this visit, our Nagano guests visited
various sites and met with Clearwater counterparts to discuss
economic development, trade and tourism opportunities.
Provided City performances for local residents and visitors with choral concerts and a
summer musical production at Ruth Eckerd. These events involved over 760 local
performers who entertained a community audience of 6,882.
Established a downtown arts program in empty storefront windows designed to support
artists while improving the look and feel of the downtown area. Held the first “Plein-air
artist” competition.
Facilitated numerous exhibits at the Clearwater Library including several events that
highlighted artists with disability. VSA of Florida and Creative Clay of St. Petersburg held
an exhibit, workshops and an artists’ reception to showcase the work of their participants.

Parks and Beautification
The main area of focus in 2005 was to continue successful development of employees
through education, training and development. Parks and Beautification updated and
expanded the Park Service Technician Apprentice Program, initiated the City’s first formal
Mentoring Program in concert with Human Resources, and continued to maintain current
status as the number one park municipality in the State of Florida in terms of professional
certifications - Florida Certified Horticulture Professionals, ISA Certified Arborists, and
Limited Lawn and Ornamental Pesticide Certificates.
Parks and Beautification Highlights in 2005
Assisted in the development of alternative resource
programs with the Department’s Volunteer
Coordinator - Adopt-A-Park, Adopt-A-Trail, and
Group Volunteer Projects. Currently, contracted with
seven civic or neighborhood associations to provide
support at seven specific park facilities. Additionally,
facilitated various group volunteer cleanup projects at
Coachman Ridge Park, Memorial Causeway, Courtney
Campbell Causeway, Lake Chautauqua Park, Mandalay
Park and Sand Key beach areas.
Completed numerous landscape and beautification
projects - Harbor Oaks medians, Carpenter Complex
parking, Memorial Causeway palm relocation, Bayview
Park sign, Morningside medians, Sports Illustrated sign
on State Road 60, Edgewater Drive welcome sign, Atrium Park median expansion, NE
Coachman Park cleanup, Soule Road Park sign, Crest Lake Park sign, PBI parking facility,
Garden Avenue Park upgrades, Coachman Park upgrades, and Bayfront Tennis Court
perimeter property enhancement.
Completed numerous facility upgrades and special
projects - Norton Recreation and Aquatic Center
renovations, renovation of McMullen Tennis Courts No. 9 -
16 resurfacing, and renovations at Carpenter Complex -
enhanced public parking and beautification in the Florida
Power lot at Countryside Community Park, various
assistance with the Long Center renovation projects,
including management of the playground replacement,
management of the new playground installation at Glen Oaks Park, upgrade of fencing at
the Nursery and Sid Lickton Fields 1 and 2, demolition of the David Martin Field,
management of the playground and amenity replacement project at Pier 60 Park, and
completed seaweed removal and storm cleanup at Clearwater Beach following Hurricane
Katrina and the no-name cold fronts.

Summary
When we reflect back on calendar year 2005, what will come to mind most is the expansion and
partnerships that have enhanced the quality of life in Clearwater through a unique internal
partnership with Public Works Administration. Facilities like the McMullen Booth Pedestrian
Overpass and Kapok Park have furthered City government’s ability to meet the needs of its
residents and visitors. With the team environment in place led by our City Council, City
Manager’s office, volunteers, other service providers and City departments continue quality of
life as the number one piece of “What’s Right In Clearwater”.
As we look into 2006, a new updated Long Center, including our first special needs playground,
new aquatics center at Ross Norton, as well as the opening of Glen Oaks Park and expansion of
the City’s trail system to the implementation of the Public Arts Ordinance during the fourth
quarter and the completion of the Aging Needs Assessment to place a road map as we continue
to strive to meet all of the needs of our residents and visitors. A major focus of the department
will be the marketing and advertising of all of the many facilities and services that are available
so that all of our residents and visitors will be aware that “It Starts In Parks”.