Bradenton, Florida, has broken ground on a $30 million project to transform the area around LECOM Park, providing long-awaited resources to an underserved neighborhood. The new development, named City Park, will include additional baseball fields, a new football field for the Manatee Police Athletic League (PAL), a playground, and a splash pad.

Community Center to Host Year-Round Programming

Central to the project is a new community center, which will host year-round programming, including workforce development, educational opportunities, and family services. Ward 5 Councilmember Pam Coachman emphasized the importance of the project, stating that it will create places where young people can learn teamwork, discipline, confidence, and pride.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between the city, Manatee County, the local school district, the Manatee Police Athletic League, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and several community partners. According to Jeff Podobnik, vice president of Florida and Dominican operations for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the project is more than just new fields – it’s an investment in Bradenton’s future.

Manatee School Board Chair Cindy Spray noted that the park’s strategic location will seamlessly connect nearby schools and the PAL facility, providing an avenue to help kids move along. The project’s name pays tribute to City Park Field, a historical site where baseball was played more than a century ago.

Construction Timeline

Phase one of construction is slated for completion before the start of next year’s spring training, with the entire project expected to wrap up in 2028. State and federal appropriations helped pay for the project.

Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.