Joe's Creek Greenway Park

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

Born from citizen initiative in Lealman, a small economically challenged and diverse community in Pinellas County, Florida; thirty-eight weedy, overrun acres used for storing pipes and debris was restored into a haven for public enjoyment as a greenway park. Extensive collaboration of government agencies, and public and private entities demonstrated how partnerships improve quality of life for Pinellas County citizens and visitors. Developed in phases and completed in November 2013, a greenway park emerged that is now used by roughly 75,000 visitors annually; including visitors from outside Lealman, bringing economic stimulus to the community. Throughout the project development, considerable environmental restoration was performed at the site, including invasive exotic plant control, creek bank erosion repair and bank sloping, creation of littoral shelves and restoration planting with site appropriate native plants along wetland and upland areas. This has resulted in substantial improvement and protection of water resources, habitat restoration and even some wetland creation. A roughly one-mile paved multi-use recreational trail was installed for public use and educational signage promoting sustainable practices erected. Benches, observation platforms, restrooms and other amenities now enhance the park. Project restoration and development was funded 77% by grant funding from multiple sources and 23% by Pinellas County. The most significant part of this project was the extensive collaboration and partnerships amongst many federal, state, local governmental agencies along with public and private entities that resulted in the successful project as response to citizen requests.