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Port Richey Forgoing One Park Grant

Jessica Bair/SUNCOAST

WILMSLOW PARK will not receive a $50,000 park improvement grant instead council will use city CRA fund dollars to beautify the park off of Bay Boulevard. The city will, however, use the second grant to upgrade Oelsner Park by repairing the seawall, improve the beach and install a gazebo, among others.

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By Jessica  Bair | The Suncoast News

Published: December 15, 2007

PORT RICHEY, Fla. - PORT RICHEY, Fla. - Tuesday night, City Council discussed how the city should use two $50,000 grants for park improvements from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance program.

In July, city officials decided to use the money, which comes from the state-funded grant program administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, toward Wilmslow and Oelsner parks.

The grants, however, require certain guidelines be met if the city wants to keep the funding. They include the installation of a hike and bike trail, playground equipment and gazebo in each designated park.

"We have the money, we have basically all the plans," Councilman Dale Massad said, adding, "I think we should go forward on both of them."

But not everyone agrees.

Area residents are concerned that the new amenities like a playground at Wilmslow Park, so close to Bay Boulevard, would be a safety issue for children.

They are also worried the park could be come a "hangout or drug haven," said Mayor Richard Rober as he read from a neighborhood resident's e-mail.

Some residents noted additional problems would be created with Wilmslow Park visitors parking on the open space or along the streets and possible vandalism.

Councilman Steve O'Neill expressed concerns the park is, in effect, an extension of the front yards of neighboring residents. "How can we accommodate this?" he asked.

In addition, a picnic facility, fencing, parking, security lighting and other related support materials would have to be installed at the proposed park locations as part of accepting the grants.

"You have a choice if you don't want to do these things – it's twofold," City Attorney Jim Mathieu, the acting city manager, said Tuesday night.

The city could substitute an element of the park development project with permission from the state or give the money back, he said.

Former Councilwoman Phyllis Grae suggested returning the funds would be the best course.

"At that point, you don't have to do anything with the park except to beautify it, which is what we intended to do in the first place," she said.

"They don't want it because it is their front yard, and you know what, I don't want it anymore either," said Grae, referring to the residents living near Wilmslow Park.

Grae, who was a major proponent of applying for the park grants, says she never intended Wilmslow Park have a playground.

"The idea was to beautify the park, to put nice sod down, to put a little fountain, and change the sign," Grae said.

The council decided to give back the Wilmslow Park grant, instead authorizing the city's Parks Department to spend up to $20,000 of city own Community Redevelopment Agency dollars for the Wilmslow Park improvements.

The city, however, will use the other grant in Oelsner Park, on the north side of Miller's Bayou. The money will pay for repair of the sea wall, improve the beach area and install a gazebo.

Restrooms facilities and the current playground equipment will also receive upgrades.

Rober plans to follow up with residents about alternatives to Wilmslow Park.

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