An Idea for Coachman Park

Recently our blog staff had a conversation with a wise person who said, “The long term decision for the Harborview Center and Coachman Park are not the current Clearwater council’s decision to make.”  We thought that to be a wise choice of words because it should be a decision that includes the residents of Clearwater and not be rushed because a term is expiring.  It should be something that our children and grandchildren would say, “At least they did that part right.”

With we wanted to look at one option which includes demolishing the Harborview Center and expanding Coachman Park. Something like this would open up and significantly expand the existing waterfront and create a larger open green space. It would serve as a venue for small daily events as well as larger events like the and the July 4th event, Clearwater Celebrates America. In between these large events smaller things would take place. Entrepreneurs would hold yoga, Pilates, or other fitness classes.  Coordinated children’s events like drawing, painting, story telling, acting, and physical fitness training would be available. The park would be a place for people to come and get physical and emotional enrichment 365 day a year.

Various groups or clubs would meet to use the park. The groups could engage and pursue in activities that would allow friendships and common bonds to form.  Families and neighbors could come to meet and enjoy a morning or afternoon activity together. To make a park successful a lot of planning and research needs to go into to what a community wants. If the Harborview Center was torn down and Coachman Park was expanded what kinds of activities and venues would you like to see there? What would bring you downtown to enjoy a nice green place on the water, shade, fountains, picnic tables, outdoor movies or plays, a concert from an up and coming band or artist?

We have put together a survey and are seeking your input and ideas. As a citizen of Clearwater, this is your land. If it was made into a big open park what would you do to make it more a part of your daily life?  What would make you say, “I have to go to Coachman Park today because I am going to_______?”

Now before you roll your eyes and say it won’t work take a look at some things that are happening in other urban parks. Here are some recent blogs about urban parks, “The World’s 10 Greatest Large Urban Parks,” and this one lists the “Top 10 City Parks.” Some of these parks have developed a strong following and include outdoor activities like dancing, lawn bowling, croquet, drumming and a floating farmer’s market. Imagine what could happen in downtown Clearwater’s Coachman Park. Check out “City Parks Blog” for other ideas of what could be.

Okay if you have opened your mind and you can imagine Coachman Park as an urban waterfront park, what would you do to make it the envy of other cities?

SURVEY LINK