Clearwater officials have been focusing on upgrading the city’s park system over the past few years.

 

There are already new state-of-the art playground systems at Lions Park and Eldorado Park, and lots of improvements like new basketball hoops at Spring Street Park and a new plastic tile surface on the tennis courts at Lions Park.

 

Last week, the Clearwater Park Board looked at new designs for playgrounds at Riverside Park, Sportsman’s Park and Spring Street Park.

 

“We set a budget of $50,000 a piece for those three parks,” says Administrator Kevin Kress.

 

Members of the park board reviewed different playground options for Spring Street Park, and agreed on one particular concept that costs about $30,000.

 

“We want Spring Street Park to be more of a neighborhood park with two to five structures with some slides and smaller amenities like spinners,” says Kress. “We also looked at little playhouse designs.”

 

Kress says the concept will be brought before the city council in August to see if they agree with the budget and the concept. He said if they accept the design, they would have about $20,000 left to add accessory items at the park.

 

“It leaves us pretty good flexibility to put some other things around it,” he says. “We can pick the side pieces afterwards.”

 

Kress says the company is holding the design and price until after the August meeting. If the council gives its okay, the park could be ready in early October.

 

The park board also looked at concepts for the other two parks, but hasn’t chosen a specific design yet.

 

Riverside Park’s playground is old and in need of replacing, but instead of a basic playground structure, the board is looking more at smaller, individual pieces.

 

“We’re looking for a nature theme - a log structure, fish and wildlife-related things,” says Kress.

 

Sportsman’s Park playground is also older and needs changing. Kress says the idea there is to focus on sports and athletic themes to go along with the ballfields.    

 

“With the kids, maybe their brother or sister is playing on the ballfield and they need something to do where they don’t get bored after five minutes on a primary structure,” he says.

 

“We’re thinking about climbing walls, bars and balancing structures. Maybe something like an adventure course or challenge course.”

 

Kress says the park board will continue to look at designs and individual structures for those parks.

 

“That’s our main focus now,” he says, “getting more design ideas.”