Ground-Breaking Ceremony Set For Crest Lake Park Renovations

CLEARWATER, FL — One of Clearwater's best-known parks is getting a makeover. Crest Lake Park will undergo a $6.4 million renovation to become one of the city's signature parks.

The project is being funded through the city's settlement fund the city received following the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010.

To celebrate and kick off construction, the city is hosting a ground-breaking ceremony Feb. 21 at 9 a.m. at the park. City leaders, including Mayor George Cretekos who has made it a priority to get park renovations started before he leaves office this year, will be in attendance.

"Located on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, one of the busiest streets in Pinellas County, Crest Lake Park has been a Clearwater landmark for generations," Cretekos said. "The improvements to the park will serve not only the Skycrest neighborhood, but also the entire community."

Improvements will include construction of wider sidewalks around the lake and through the park, new lighting, irrigation, landscaping and grass, four new play areas including a spray pad, restrooms, two picnic shelters, improvement to the shoreline of the lake, a lighted fountain in the lake, rain gardens to filter storm water, boardwalks and decks in portions of the lake, two volleyball courts and improved parking.

During construction, the entire park will be closed including the dog park and the Florida Veterans Memorial Plaza. The Doggie Days parking lot will also be closed.

There will be two phases of construction so that the southern half of the park can be opened to the public before all the renovations are completed.

Renovations to Crest Lake Park are expected to be completed by the end of 2020.

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