Take A Look At Newly Renovated Pioneer Park In Dunedin: Video

DUNEDIN, FL — The arrival of the holiday season is the ideal time to check out the new features at John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park following the park's two-year facelift.

The popular Dunedin park at 400 Main St. has long been a favorite community gathering spot with its band shell area for live entertainment, such as last weekend Dunedin Wines the Blues festival, the Mardis Gras event, the Dunedin International Film Festival and the annual Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration.

However, the park had begun to show its years, said Dunedin Community Redevelopment Agency Director Bob Ironsmith.

“In general the park looked tired and needed a boost,” Ironsmith said.

Dunedin Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski, leading the official ribbon-cutting to reopen the park, said the temporary closure was worth the inconvenience.

The Community Redevelopment Agency and Dunedin Parks and Recreation retained consultants Cardno/BDG to design the $500,000 worth of enhancements that included enhancing the stage with brick steps and lighting, a new mosaic tile entry, a water fountain featuring a pet water bowl, free-form curved walkways designed for people of all abilities, new landscaping and Bermuda turf that's better able to hold up under the park's frequent use and the use of artificial turf in high-traffic areas.

New benches will arrive soon.

See related story: John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park Enhancements Now Underway