Environmental
Park
Management
Plan
FCT
Project Number: 01-144-FF1
November 2002
Table of Contents
1. Introduction..................................................................................................... 4
2.
Purpose of the Project......................................................................... 5
2.1
Recreation Open Space Element......................................................................................................... 5
2.2
Objectives and Procedures...................................................................................................................... 6
3. Site Development......................................................................................... 7
3.1
Existing and Proposed Physical Improvements........................................................................ 7
3.2
Walking Paths and Boardwalk.............................................................................................................. 9
3.3
Signage................................................................................................................................................................ 9
3.4
Landscaping and Site Furnishings.................................................................................................... 9
3.5
Required Permits........................................................................................................................................ 10
3.6
Access................................................................................................................................................................. 10
3.7
Easements, Concessions or Leases................................................................................................. 11
4.
Key Management Activities............................................................... 12
4.1
Natural Resource Protection............................................................................................................... 12
4.2
Management of Listed Vegetative Communities and Listed Species...................... 12
4.3
Resource restoration and enhancement...................................................................................... 13
4.4
Archaeological and historical resource protection............................................................... 14
4.5
Environmental Education Program................................................................................................ 15
4.6
Greenway Management.......................................................................................................................... 16
4.7
Coordination.................................................................................................................................................. 16
4.8
Maintenance.................................................................................................................................................. 17
4.9
Security............................................................................................................................................................. 17
4.9
Staffing.............................................................................................................................................................. 17
5.
Cost Estimates and Funding Sources........................................ 18
6. Priority Schedule...................................................................................... 19
7.
Monitoring....................................................................................................... 20
9.
Exhibits............................................................................................................... 20
9.1
Preliminary
Master Site Plan
9.2
Site
Location Maps (including aerial photo and zoning atlas map displaying the
project site and its proximity to the FDOT pond and City Water Treatment Plant)
9.3
Greenway
Map
9.4
Boundary
Survey (provides location of existing structures, including trailer pads)
9.5
Exotic
Species List
9.6
FNAI
Forms
9.7
Conceptual
Approval Agreement
The
Management Plan is intended to provide guidance in the future use and
management of the proposed Historic Bayview Environmental Park. Funding for the proposed site will be
provided by the Florida Communities Trust Florida Forever Program with matching
funds provided by the City of Clearwater and Pinellas County. The project site consists of 4.34 acres
located in both the City of Clearwater and a portion of mitigation area owned
by Pinellas County. The project site is
located at the southwestern corner of State Road 60 (Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard) and
the Bayside Bridge (49th Street).
State Road 60 borders the park to the north, County Road 31 to the
south, Meadowlark Lane to the east, and a retention pond to the east. Directly east of the park is a residential
neighborhood.
Because of
the environmental and archeological sensitivity of the site, and its
vulnerability to development, the City seeks to acquire this site and maintain
it as passive resource based park.
Public ownership would protect the ecosystem in conjunction with
providing for passive recreational opportunities. Additionally, the site includes a portion of
the Bayview Indian Midden Site, one of only two black dirt shell middens in the
Tampa Bay area.
The
acquisition site is currently littered with the remnants of a former mobile
home park, including concrete trailer pads, electrical poles and lines. The oak trees on this property are mature
with spreading canopies that effectively cover the property. In addition, the spacing of the trees and the
absence of midstory vegetation give the property a park like appearance. The evaluation of the oaks and planned
restoration of the area will ensure the preservation of this beautiful oak
canopy reminiscent of the venerable old oak trees that once surrounded the bay
and harbors of Hillsborough and Pinellas County and now only remain as
scattered individual sites.
The
acquisition site has a low bluff that slopes to join Pinellas County property
where a young mangrove forest extends to a sandy beach on Old Tampa Bay. The two properties as a whole will provide an
opportunity to protect the natural resource and provide for opportunities to
educate the public on the significance the resources of these sites.
With regard to
the concern for the historic resources on the site, the City will contact the
State of Florida’s Division of Historical Resources and determine what is
necessary to complete an updated archaeological survey as recommended in their
letter to FCT dated August 26, 2002.
The City of
Clearwater acknowledges that grant funding from FCT was used to acquire the
project site and this management plan was developed to ensure that the project
site will be developed in accordance with the Grant Award Agreement and in
furtherance of the purpose of the grant application.
The primary
purpose of this acquisition is to preserve this environmentally and archeologically
sensitive site from development. A
secondary purpose is to protect and restore a xeric oak hammock, which includes
more than 100 very old live trees as well as protect and highlight two, on-site
archeological sites, listed in the State’s Master Site File. Another secondary purpose is to provide an
environmental learning center for the study of the natural resources of the
site. The purchase of the site would
implement the following major provisions of the City of Clearwater
Comprehensive Plan:
·
Policy 24.4.3 states “Continue to
designate appropriate land “Preservation” and “Recreation/Open Space” in the
Future Land Use Plan whenever feasible.”
·
Policy 24.4.5 states “Continue to
promote environmental education through various programs including television,
brochures, lectures and other public relations methods.”
·
Policy 24.4.8 states “When possible,
provide open space properties which have the diversity of resources necessary
for nature study and the enjoyment of natural assets in order to assure
environmental understanding.
·
Policy 24.4.9 states “Coordinate
recreation planning with other plans concerning water quality, stormwater
management, fish and wildlife management, and environmental education.”
·
Policy 24.5.1 states “The City shall be
responsible for maintaining the environmental integrity of significant and
unique areas owned by the City.”
·
Policy 24.5.3 states “The City should
utilize areas of ecological, historical, or archaeological value for parks and
recreation areas.
·
Policy 24.5.4 states “The historic
preservation components of the City’s Comprehensive Plan, the Florida
Department of State and private historical and archaeological organizations
should be consulted when considering development or redevelopment of lands
thought to have some historical or archaeological significance.”
In support of the above elements of the Comprehensive
Plan, the acquisition of the project site will result in the
protection/restoration of the xeric oak hammock and tidal marsh and mangrove
habitats, which provide suitable habitats for a variety of listed species,
including the snowy egret, white ibis and brown pelican.
Additionally, the City has committed to provide
at least 24 environmental education classes or programs annually at the project
site. Local environmental organizations
such as Environ-Net, the Sierra Club and the St. Petersburg Audubon Society
have written letters in support of this project and have suggested a variety of
educational opportunities that this site lends itself to providing
The City will
pursue amending the land use and zoning within one to two years of acquiring
the site, to the appropriate category, Open Space / Recreation (OSR). An amendment to the City’s Comprehensive Plan
is not required to change the zoning / land use, however, the Comprehensive
Plan will be changed to reflect the increase in OS/R land.
The City of
Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department will direct management
activities. These activities include
removal of exotic species, routine maintenance, and the use of the site for
environmental learning center. The site
will be managed to encourage passive resource-based recreation along with the protection
of natural resources. Passive recreation
will include activities such as walking, scenic observation and nature
appreciation.
Managing the
site in accordance with the following objectives and procedures will further
each purpose for acquiring and utilizing the project site:
1.
Protection of native shoreline
vegetation and wildlife habitat.
2.
Design of outdoor recreational
facilities to allow the general public reasonable access for observation of the
site’s natural resources without interfering with or causing harm to those
resources.
3.
Encourage public uses of the property
that are consistent with the preservation efforts and prohibit any activities,
which would have a negative impact these goals.
4.
Provide educational opportunities for
residents and visitors through the use of interpretive signage and classes to
describe the natural communities and species present on the property.
5.
To ensure the long-term viability of
these vegetative communities and to assist the natural restoration of native
vegetation, invasive exotic species that occur on the project site will be
eradicated.
All signs,
literature and advertising will identify the project site as being publicly
owned and operated as a natural, outdoor recreation site and will identify the
site as having been purchased with funds from the Florida Communities Trust,
the City of Clearwater and Pinellas County.
The northern
portion of the project site was formerly a mobile home park and there are still
approximately 40 concrete pads remaining, along with an asphalt access road,
water supply connections, electrical meters and posts. Upon acquisition, the City intends to remove
the remnant concrete slabs and other remains of the mobile home park. Barricades and silt fencing will be use to
protect the existing oak trees during the clean up and construction of the
site. The City of Clearwater will then
re-vegetate up to 70% of the disturbed xeric oak understory with appropriate native
species to complement the beautiful, historic oak canopy. Additionally, one-half mile of mulched nature
trails, a picnic shelter, and a boardwalk or mulched trail will extend along
the northwest boundary of the project area down to the sandy beach, and will
terminate in a small observation deck of approximately 10’ x 8’ in
dimension. Stairs leading from the deck
down to the beach will allow users to access the beach for fishing, wading, or
other shoreline activities. Trashcans
will be placed at the picnic and parking area.
(See Exhibit
9.1 – Preliminary Master Site Plan) (See
also Exhibit 9.4 – Boundary Survey for location of existing structures and
trailer pads)
All major
proposed structures and improvements are described below and shown on the
preliminary master site plan (Exhibit 9.1).
Only structures and improvements, which provide for public uses
compatible with the ecologically and archaeologically sensitive shoreline and
offshore areas, are proposed. The
proposed picnic shelter will comply with the handicap accessibility requirements
of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Written
approval from the Florida Communities Trust (FCT) will be requested prior to
the installation of any structures, improvements, signs or any removal of
native vegetation not discussed in this management plan. All improvements will comply with applicable
local, state, regional and federal laws and regulations. Prior to implementing any site alterations or
physical improvements that are not addressed in the approved management plan,
the City will request written approval from FCT.
The City of
Clearwater will work closely with the County and F.D.O.T. to develop a
maintenance plan that will compliment the efforts of each agency. Since the City will be maintaining County
property as it relates to this management agreement, the City will investigate
the possibility of joint maintenance of the mitigation area. The City will investigate various methods to
improve maintenance at all sites. Within
one year of acquisition of the project site, should the City be unable to reach
agreement with FDOT regarding maintenance and removal of the fence at that
location, the City will construct a landscaping buffer of native species, along
the FDOT fence that is adjacent to the project site.
The long term
risk of storm damage or flooding is not expected, as the site is contiguous to
Old Tampa Bay, an FDOT retention area, and a Pinellas County wetland area. Should it be determined that any stormwater
facilities are needed the City commits to design them in a park like manner
that mimics a natural system and provides recreational open space. Impacts from adjoining properties are not
anticipated. Likewise, the site is not
expected to create an adverse impact upon the adjacent neighborhood.
The project
site will include approximately one-half mile of mulched nature trails winding
through the oak hammock portion of the project site. Additionally, there will be a 300’ mulched
path leading from the park entrance area to the sandy beach area along Old
Tampa Bay finishing with a small observation deck (approximately 10’ x 8’ in
dimension), overlooking the bay. The
mulched nature trail will be 6 feet wide and 6 inches thick. A concrete sidewalk will provide handicap
access to the picnic table area. The
nature trail, sidewalk and picnic area will feature native landscaping to
enhance the attractiveness of these amenities.
(See Exhibit
9.1 – Preliminary Master Site Plan)
The project
site will feature several interpretive display signs and a kiosk at the park
entrance describing the Historic Bayview neighborhood, and the efforts to
restore the oak hammock vegetative community to a functioning, natural
site. A section of the project area
along Old Tampa Bay contains a portion of the Bayview Indian Midden site. Interpretive signage will be placed at the
southwest corner of the beach to educate visitors about the site and its
significance to the prehistory of the area.
Signage will be provided in cooperation with The Historic Bayview
Association and local environmental organizations.
A dedication
sign of at least 2’ x 3’ will be erected at the main park entrance, identifying
the year project site was acquired and as having been purchased with funds from
the Florida Communities Trust Florida Forever Program the City of Clearwater
and Pinellas County. The sign will
include the FCT logo.
Six
decorative benches, three trash receptacles, and one bicycle rack will be
spaced on the project site adjacent to the mulched nature trail. Lighting will not be required, as the park
will be open from dawn until dusk.
Miscellaneous landscaping in the form of indigenous species will be used
to enhance the preservation of this property.
An irrigation system will be installed on a small portion of the site,
however, the majority of the landscaping will only be provided with watering to
establish the plants. After the initial
establishing of these plants the plants will be allowed to proceed with their
growth in the natural environment.
Currently,
only a conceptual landscape plan exists.
Within one to two years of acquisition of the project site, a formal
design of the park will be completed (as indicated in the Priority Schedule),
including details regarding the landscaping of the project site. Numbers, sizes and types of landscape species
will be provided in the final site and landscape plans.
A building
permit will be necessary for the sidewalk, picnic shelter, boardwalk/mulched path
and observation platform and a sign permit will be required for the
signage. Additionally, a SWFMD permit
may be required for the boardwalk/mulched path and observation area.
The park site
is located just west of Clearwater’s most visible easterly entrance. Just after crossing beautiful Courtney
Campbell Causeway and upon entering the City of Clearwater the Historic Bayview
Environmental Park will be located just west of the Bayside Bridge on the south
side of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. While two
pedestrian access points will be available from Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, the main
park entrance will be located directly off County Road 31. This road can be accessed off of Gulf-to-Bay
Boulevard by going south on Meadowlark to County Road 31. Approximately 10 paved parking spaces will
available along the partially vacated C.R. 31.
A split rail fence or bollards will be employed to contain the cars in
the parking areas and prevent them from driving or parking inappropriately on
the project site. One bicycle rack will
be placed at the main entrance to the project site. In addition, the City will evaluate the
feasibility of linking the site to the proposed extension of the Clearwater
East-West Trail. That trail, which is
presently identified in the Clearwater Bikeways and Trails Plan is less than
one-quarter mile from the project site and could possibly be connected to the
proposed trail as it extends along the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Each access point to the project site will
comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The southern
portion of project area includes a parcel of land owned by Pinellas
County. Obtaining access through an
easement agreement is essential to the City’s plans to construct a boardwalk or
mulched path leading down to the sandy beach area and Old Tampa Bay. Pinellas County is a willing partner in this
endeavor and has even contributed a portion of the matching funds required to
purchase this property. The City is
currently working with Pinellas County officials to enter into an easement
agreement that will facilitate this need.
We anticipate the easement agreement with Pinellas County will be
completed within one year of acquisition of the project site. In return for the easement agreement, the
City will maintain this county parcel of land, and as part of the management of
the site; the city will clean up the beach area, which is currently littered
with washed-up seagrass and other trash.
Also, if needed, the beach area will be renourished with additional sand
and replanted with native species.
The City will
provide a 60 day prior written notice and information regarding the lease of
any interest, the operation of any concession, any sale or option, any
management contracts for the project site, and any use of the project site by
any person other than in such person’s capacity as a member of the general
public.
Additionally,
the City acknowledges that prior to the execution of any document it will provide
said document to FCT for review and approval.
The primary
purpose of the acquisition of the site is to protect the area from
development. Sensitive areas of the site
will be preserved in their natural state, and invasive vegetative species will
be removed. Disturbance of the site will
be limited to the removal of the remnants of the former mobile home Park,
including the re-vegetation of native plant species where appropriate. Barricades and silt fencing will be use to
protect the existing oak trees during the clean up and construction of the
site. The beach area which is currently
littered with washed-up seagrass and other litter, will be cleaned up, and
additional sand will be added if necessary.
This will provide opportunities for fishing, wading, bird watching and
other passive recreation activities.
Additionally, removal of exotic species and the replanting of native
plants will enhance the habitat conditions for wildlife species that utilize or
could potentially utilize the project site.
Consideration will be given to the types of native species utilized for
landscaping, so as to encourage and/or benefit the wildlife species that
inhabit the site. One such benefit would
be to include vegetation that provides a food source or shelter to wildlife.
The
development of recreation facilities on the site will be limited to the walking
path and picnic facility. The following
section describes activities and procedures recommended for management of the
listed vegetative communities and species on the project site.
Old Tampa
Bay, as a Pinellas County waterbody, has been designated by the Southwest
Florida Water Management District as an Outstanding Florida Water. The acquisition and creation of an
environmental park in place of a mobile home park or commercial development
will help protect the water quality of the Bay.
Scheda
Ecological Associates, Inc. completed a plant community survey on August 3,
2001 and noted that the northern portion of the project site contains several
identifiable vegetative communities. The
dominant canopy is live oak with little subcanopy. The subcanopy species observed includes wax
myrtle, Brazilian pepper, bottlebrush, laurel oak, saltbush and cabbage
palm. The dominant groundcover is Bahia
grass. The “Exotic Pest Plant Council’s
List of Florida’s Most Invasive Species” list will be used to identify invasive
exotic plan species. (See Exhibit 9.5 –
Exotic Species List)
The southern
portion of the project site contains vegetative communities usually associated
with saltwater wetland areas, such as saltwater marsh, mangrove forest and
sandy beach.
The project
site also contains several communities that could support a variety of listed
wildlife, including xeric hammock, tidal marsh and tidal swamp. Species observed at the southern parcel
during the field survey on the southern parcel included a marsh rabbit, fiddler
crabs, and a great blue heron. No
wildlife was observed on the northern parcel.
No non-native
wildlife has been observed at the project site.
A program will be developed within one to two years of the site
acquisition to address feral animals such as dogs, cats, ducks or other
non-native wildlife, should such animals begin to inhabit the site.
In order to
monitor the continued viability of the vegetative communities and listed
species found on the site, the City or its agent will conduct a field survey
every year. The survey information
regarding the occurrence newly identified plant or animal species will be
provided in that year’s stewardship report to the FCT.
Should any
newly identified species be found on the project site that information would be
forwarded to the Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) on the appropriate
forms. (See Exhibit 9.6 FNAI Forms)
In addition
to promoting natural resource conservation, the site will be managed to provide
environmental enhancement and protection of the xeric oak hammock and the Old
Tampa Bay coastline. It is the City’s
intent to enhance the oak hammock and the natural shoreline vegetation by
removing the trash and debris currently littering the site by removing exotics,
allowing for the recruitment of natural vegetation into those disturbed
areas. In addition, a city arborist will
inspect the oak trees to assess their health and develop a plan for protecting
the trees.
A management program will be developed
to control Brazilian peppers. To control
existing Brazilian pepper stands currently on site, the management program will
consist of removing both the seedlings and stumps within the invasive
vegetation stand. Quarterly maintenance
is recommended for the first year following the removal of all Brazilian pepper
stands. After the first year it is
recommended that Brazilian pepper maintenance be performed on a semiannual
basis.
Specific
management techniques will consist of pruning Brazilian pepper species to a
stump form. An application using the direct spray method will be made over
appropriate stumps or volunteer seedlings with Garlon 4 or other approved
systemic herbicide, which should result in the chemical removal of this
species.
The City will
attempt to contact the Florida Department of Transportation to explore the
possibility of combining efforts to control the exotic species in the FDOT
stormwater pond adjacent to the project site, within 1 – 3 years of acquisition
of the project property. (See Exhibit
9.2 – Site Location Maps for location of FDOT pond)
The shoreline
portion of the project site, Old Tampa Bay, a Pinellas County waterbody, has
been designated by the Southwest Florida Water Management District as an
Outstanding Florida Water. By the
acquisition and creation of an environmental park and removing the remnants of
the former mobile home park and preserving the site from commercial development
it will serve to protect the water quality of the Bay. In addition, the management of the site will
be coordinated with the Florida Fish and Fresh Water Game Commission for
appropriate guidance related to mitigating impacts of site development on
vegetative communities, wildlife habitat and offshore areas.
The west side
of the project, next to the Bayview neighborhood will be landscaped with native
species such as was myrtle and other similar type evergreens to provide a
buffer between the project site and the adjacent neighborhood, while also
providing a wildlife habitat and enhancing the function and appearance of the
project site. Limiting the landscaping
buffer to the FDOT fence line and neighborhood border will assist in making the
park viewable and aid in deterring visitation of the park during unauthorized
hours.
(See Exhibit
9.1 – Preliminary Master Site Plan)
The project
area is within the historic Bayview neighborhood, one of the most important and
well-documented historical and archaeological areas in Pinellas County. There are ten sites listed in the Master Site
File within one-quarter mile of the project site, including eight homes in the
adjacent neighborhood and two archaeological sites on the project site
itself. Within the project boundaries
are two sites, an unnamed site at the northwest corner and a portion of the
Bayview Indian Midden site at the southwest corner along Old Tampa Bay. The Bayview Indian Midden is one of only two
black dirt shell middens known to exist in the Tampa Bay area.
The
conceptual site plan for the park includes a mulched path down to the shoreline
of Old Tampa Bay along the southwest boundary of the project site ending with
an observation deck. The mulched path
will be designed in a manner that would allow visitors to safely access the
sandy beach area without walking on or damaging the Indian Midden. In addition, interpretive signage would be
utilized to highlight the historical significance of the site and provide rules
and direction for proper observance to ensure the midden’s continued
protection.
A professional
archaeological survey of the property will be conducted prior to any land
clearing or ground disturbing activity associated with the development of the
park, set to begin in 2003. The
collection of any artifacts or any disturbance of archaeological / historic
locations on the project site will be prohibited unless prior authorization has
been obtained from the Department of State, Division of Historical
Resources. If evidence is found to
suggest additional archeological or historic resources at the project site, the
City will immediately notify the Division of Historical Resources, Florida
Department of State, to assess these resources and take appropriate measures to
protect the resources on the find.
The City is
committed to ensure that at least 24 environmental education classes or
programs annually at the project site. Staff from Moccasin Lake Nature Park,
Bay Area Environmental groups, and area schools will be on site during the year
to teach environmental classes.
Additionally, local environmental organizations such as Environ-Net, the
Sierra Club and the St. Petersburg Audubon Society have written letters in
support of this project and have suggested a variety of educational
opportunities that this site lends itself to providing. In particular, The St. Petersburg Audubon
Society has offered assistance such as volunteers to assist in documenting the
birds that use the site and nearby areas, and volunteers to lead bird walks or
bird identification classes. The
creation of an outdoor Environmental Learning Center at the project site is one
of the goals of these organizations. The
education classes will commence in 2003, after the restoration of the site has
begun. An update of the educational
activities conducted on the project site will be included in the yearly FCT
stewardship report. Should any revenues
be collected as a result of the educational programs they will only be utilized
towards upkeep and maintenance of the project site.
The Historic
Bayview Neighborhood Association has offered to provide office space adjacent
to the project site for distributing information about the site and its rich
cultural history. The Association will
manage the office.
The project
site will feature several interpretive signs and a kiosk at the park entrance
describing the historic Bayview neighborhood, the archeological and historical
features of the site.
The project
site itself will include approximately one-half mile nature trails winding
through the oak hammock portion of the project site, and a 300’ mulched pathway
leading from the park entrance to the beach along Old Tampa Bay. The City will evaluate the feasibility of
linking the site to the proposed extension of the Clearwater East-West Trail,
along Courtney Campbell Parkway. This
trail, which is presently identified in the Clearwater Bikeways and Trails Plan
is less than one-quarter mile from the project site and could possibly be
connected to the proposed trail as it extends along the Courtney Campbell
Causeway. The current obstacle to
linking this site to the trail is the presence of a sewage treatment facility
between the project area and the Courtney Campbell Causeway. If the trail can be routed around the plant,
the site will be included in the trail plan and would serve as a trailhead
facility offering a destination point for users. (See Exhibit 9.3 – Greenway Map)
The site is
contiguous to Old Tampa Bay, a FDOT retention area, a Pinellas County wetland
area, and the Bayview neighborhood.
Impacts to the adjoining properties are not anticipated. The site is not expected to create an adverse
impact upon the adjacent neighborhood.
On the contrary, the residents of the Bayview neighborhood have actively
supported this project, and with the creation of the park, the Bayview
neighborhood will be guaranteed the preservation of an open space park rather
than possible commercial development, which was heavily opposed by the
neighborhood.
The
activities listed in this management plan will be coordinated with the Florida
Fish and Fresh Water Game Commission for appropriate guidance related to
mitigating impacts of site development on vegetative communities, wildlife
habitat and offshore areas. The
requirements imposed by other grant program funds that may be sought by the
City for site development shall not conflict with the terms and conditions of
the FCT award.
Upon
acquisition of the project site, the City of Clearwater will incorporate maintenance
procedures consistent with those applied to other City parks including the
removal of dead vegetation or trees, regular maintenance to trails,
furnishings, and signage and repairs to access areas as needed. In some instances, other City departments may
be called upon for assistance.
Maintenance
activities will include clean up and regular trash removal and keeping trails
open. Repairs to gates, picnic tables,
and boardwalk or mulched path will be done by the Parks and Recreation
Department.
Security will
include signage stating the applicable City Ordinances relative to park hours
and permissible activities and bollards or other vehicular control mechanisms
at any points of improper vehicular access.
The City of Clearwater Police Department will also provide periodic
patrol of the property, as will the members of the Historic Bayview
Association.
There are no
plans to have on site staff. However,
staff from Moccasin Lake Nature Park and area schools will be on site during
the year to teach environmental classes.
A Parks and Recreation crew will do maintenance. A maintenance staff of 107 city employees
presently maintains all the city parks on a rotating basis. This crew will be used to maintain the
subject site.
Initial cost
estimates for the development and management of the site are provided below:
A. Facilities Development
Mulched
nature trail $33,470.00
(6”
thick 6’ wide (sq. ft.))
Informational site signage $ 5,000.00
and kiosk
Park identification sign $ 2,400.00
Park rules signs (2 @ $750) $ 1,500.00
Picnic tables (6) $ 2,700.00
Irrigation system & meter $ 1,500.00
Bike rack (1) $ 600.00
Landscaping $
10,000.00
Picnic Shelter $15,000.00
Boardwalk or mulched trail to $30,000.00
Observation deck
Observation deck $50,000.00
Total Future
Development $152,170.00
The City of
Clearwater currently does not have funding for all of these improvements, but
they have been addressed in the Parks and Recreation Master Plan for
development in FY 04/06. The City of
Clearwater has an aggressive parks development program with $7,000,000 in operating
funds, a portion of these funds will be set aside for development each
year. Also, an effort will be made to
secure a matching grant so that the facilities can be constructed ahead of
schedule. The requirements imposed by
other grant program funds that may be sought by the City for site development
shall not conflict with the terms and conditions of the FCT award.
B.
Management
Costs
Initial
grounds clean-up, removal $10,000.00
Trailer
pads, etc.
Yearly
grounds maintenance (26 @ 300) $ 7,800.00
Supplies,
chemicals, fertilizers, etc. $ 1,560.00
(26
@ $60)
Total $20,860.00
Initial site
development activities will focus on the removal of the remnants of the mobile
home park and the exotic plant species, primarily Brazilian Pepper. The design and construction of the proposed
facilities will begin the following year with construction in the next two
years. Maintenance and management activities
related to the site would be ongoing.
Completion of the park is scheduled for fiscal year 2006. The priority schedule is illustrated below:
|
Description of Activity |
02/03 |
03/04 |
04-06 |
Annually |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase
Property |
X |
|
|
|
|
Property
Restoration |
X |
|
|
|
|
Education
classes |
|
X |
|
|
|
Project
design &
landscape plan |
|
X |
|
|
|
Construction |
|
|
X |
|
|
FCT
Report |
|
|
|
X |
|
Archaeological
Survey |
|
X |
|
|
|
Land
Use Change |
X |
|
|
|
|
Water
Quality Plan |
|
|
X |
|
|
Obtain
County Easement |
|
X |
|
|
|
Feral
animal program |
|
X |
|
|
|
Vegetative Survey |
|
|
|
X |
This
Management Plan will be reviewed for potential updates as part of the annual
FCT stewardship report. The stewardship
report will review the goals set forth in the management plan and describe
their degree of success. The stewardship
report will be prepared by the City and submitted to the FCT on January 30th
of each year. Any proposed modification
of the management plan must be reviewed and approved by the FCT prior to
implementation.
As previously
noted, a field survey of the vegetative communities on the site will be
conducted every year. The Exotic Pest
Plan Council’s List of Florida’s Most Invasive Species will be used to assist
in identifying invasive exotics on the project site. An assessment of the shoreline restoration
activities and the restoration of the oak hammock from its previous use as a mobile
home park will occur annually. Once
successfully completed, this assessment will be provided only as necessary to
ensure that the non-native invasion does not recur. The results of this survey will be made
available to the FCT through the stewardship report.
9.1
Preliminary Master Site Plan
9.2
Site Location Map (including aerial
photo and zoning atlas map displaying the project site and its proximity to the
FDOT pond and City Water Treatment Plant
9.3
Greenway Map
9.4
Boundary Survey (provides location of
existing structures, including trailer pads)
9.5
Exotic Species List
9.6
FNAI Forms
9.7 Conceptual Approval Agreement
