Cost to Replace Bathrooms at Crest Lake Park Could be $1.5 Million

To justify replacing bathrooms at Crest Lake Park city leaders have to spend $1.5 million redeveloping the “neighborhood” park into a “regional” one.

Kevin Dunbar, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, offered a $3.6 million list of amenities including a $290,000 bathroom, $170,000 for a 50 space parking lot and replacing the fishing pier for $165,000 to City leaders Monday.

Site work including removing the berms from the south end of the park along Gulf to Bay Boulevard could cost $450,000, design and professional services another $275,000 and $25,000 in permit fees.

Possible amenities include:

• 50 space parking lot: $170,000
• Restroom: $290,000
• Splash pad: $325,000
• Irrigate park: $540,000
• Fishing pier $165,000
• Sod the park $360,000
• Perimeter park trail $390,000
• Interior park trail  $150,000
• Interior trail lighting $250,000
• Park amenities (trash can, fountains etc.)  $30,000
• Landscaping: $235,000
• Playground: $200,000
• 50’x50’ picnic shelter: $165,000
• Gazebo (40’ diameter): $ 90,000
• Tennis court (per court): $90,000
• Basketball court (per court): $95,000
• Sand volleyball court (per court): $15,000
• Fitness zone: $85,000
• Park signage: $15,000

City leaders closed the bathrooms at Crest Lake Park in June 2012 as part of its initiative to usher the homeless into social services. By February residents wanted the bathrooms reopened, at least on a part time basis. City leaders instead demolished the restroom facility in April.

Aside from Mandalay Park on north Clearwater Beach, bathrooms are closed in neighborhood parks across the city.

Neighborhood parks serve a one mile area and have a design that could include playgrounds, outdoor courts, picnic areas, open space and landscaping.

In the Skycrest Neighborhood, the bathrooms at Crest Lake Park became a contentious issue galvanizing residents to urge city leaders to do something about the degrading conditions at the park. Not all neighbors were for reopening the bathrooms, however.

“The bottom line to both points is, whether or not, they want one thing on this list they want a bathroom and the only way we can justify a bathroom is with some of the other stuff,” said Mayor George N. Cretekos. “The question is, do we make this a regional park that would justify the expense of a bathroom?”

Dunbar was asked by city leaders to develop a list of possible amenities for them to choose in order to redevelop the space into a signature park.

The public should also be part of the process of deciding which amenities would be added to the park, Council member Bill Jonson said.

Gibson agreed, saying that information should be mailed to each neighbor letting them know the plans for revamping the public space.

“That really kind of is what I’ve been concerned about for a while,” Gibson said. “How many (residents) in that neighborhood know what’s going on?”

The plans for Crest Lake Park are now on hold to wait for the results of the city’s parks and recreation master plan update.

Residents are asked to share what it is they want at city parks as part of the update process. Open houses are planned at different places in the city throughout August and September.

When the survey’s are complete, officials will have an understanding of what residents want at parks including Coachman and Crest Lake, Dunbar said.

The process is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

Dunbar is expected to give an interim report of the master plan process in October, that will include an update on Crest Lake Park plans.

Parks and Recreation Master Plan Open House Events

Residents can come in anytime between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.:

• Aug. 21, Ross Norton Recreation and Aquatic Complex, 1426 S. MLK, Jr. Ave

• Aug. 22, North Greenwood Recreation and Aquatic Complex, 900 N. MLK, Jr. Ave

• Aug. 28, Clearwater Beach Recreation Center, 69 Bay Esplanade

• Sept. 3, Countryside Recreation Center, 2640 Sabal Springs Drive

• Sept. 4, Aging Well Center at the Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road

Related coverage:

• Bathroom Battle: Why This One’s Open When Others Are Closed
• Crest Lake Park Bathrooms to Come Down
• Crest Lake Park Improvement Plan to be Unveiled This Summer
• Skycrest Neighbors: Open the Bathrooms, Have More Events at Crest Lake Park