Dunedin's Up-and-Coming Waterfront Park Gets a Name

Dunedin's up-and-coming waterfront park — known as the Bleakley property — on Alternate U.S. 19 officially opens in June with a new name.

City leaders voted May 2 to name it "Dunedin Youth Guild Park," for an 49-year volunteer organization that raises money for scholarships and furthers the civic and cultural progress of the greater Dunedin area youth.

The group requested its name be transferred from its current park nook on Buena Vista Drive to the Bleakley site at Dunedin's north gateway, where the Dunedin Youth Guild name would get more exposure from passing drivers on the busy two lane road. 

"I don't know a lot about old Youth Guild Park, but I visited it, and I wasn't very proud to have our name on it to be very honest with you," said Anita Apley, youth guild president. "This will give us much more exposure which is what we're proud of. And we would represent the city and represent all of you just as strongly as we can serving the kids of Dunedin."

The guild awarded $30,000 in scholarships to Dunedin kids in April and 1,500 diapers to a Dunedin day care recently, Apley said. And the group also .

The park is nearly complete, Vince Gizzi, parks and recreation director, told commissioners on May 2. Only the kayak area, signs and ribbon-cutting are left to finish.

The property at 2750 Bayshore Blvd. has received marked improvements, including a crushed shell parking area, fencing and landscaping, since it was purchased in 2010. 

Commissioner Julie Scales had a final request.

"In the signage, I know that in the past, at the other Youth Guild Park, you know the signage said 'Youth Guild Park,' " she said. "Be sure it says Dunedin Youth Guild Park."

Sign up for the free Dunedin Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.

Related Coverage:

• Waterfront Park May Get 'Dunedin Youth Guild' Name
• Nature Playground Coming to Weaver Park