Grand Opening: Dunedin's Newest Waterfront Park

Dunedin welcomes its newest waterfront park to the mix this weekend.

Dunedin Youth Guild Park, once known as the Bleakley property, on the city's northernmost coastal parcel officially welcomes visitors during a grand opening, ribbon-cutting June 8.

Crews were seen putting finishing touches on the 2.3-acre park this week. The park, visible from Alternate U.S. 19, is situated between St. Joseph Sound, the Pinellas Trail and Mediterranean Manor. It features a kayak launch area, crushed shell parking spaces, picnic tables, fencing, irrigation, landscaping and trash cans.

Signs denoting the park's new namesake, the Dunedin Youth Guild, a group of volunteers who serve the needs of Dunedin children, have not yet been placed.

The property at 2750 Bayshore Blvd. was purchased in 2010 using $774,975 in Land Dedication Ordinance funds, which comes from fees paid by developers, and $250,000 from Sallie Guthrie, who paid to have the city vacate a small right-of-way area on her property on Spring Street.

Want to Go?

• When: 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8
• Where: 2750 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin
• Parking: Available at the park. Overflow parking is available in designated "visitor" spaces inside Mediterranean Manor, a condominium subdivision located just south of the park. Unauthorized vehicles in numbered spaces will be towed. The park gates separating it from the Mediterranean Manor subdivision will be open for the grand opening ceremony. A bike rack will be located at the park for bicyclists coming from the Pinellas Trail.

Previous Coverage:

• Dunedin's Up-and-Coming Waterfront Park Gets a Name
• Waterfront Park May Get 'Dunedin Youth Guild' Name

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