The St. Petersburg Public Services and Infrastructure Committee gave the green light to the draft master plan for Trails Crossing, a proposed $55 million park that would transform roughly 12 acres beneath and alongside Interstate 275 into a vibrant public space.
What the park would include
Designed to run from Fifth Avenue South to Burlington Avenue North, the park would feature playgrounds, public art, a water feature, a lawn and plaza for larger events, and a 16‑foot‑wide pedestrian‑and‑bicycle corridor along 18th Street. The Pinellas Trail would cut through the middle, providing a safe north‑south connection for cyclists and walkers.
Community and historic ties
Friends of Trails Crossing co‑founder and president John Barkett emphasized that the project is more than a decorative green space; it is intended to serve as a trailhead and a safe conduit to the Pinellas Trail. Councilmember Copley Gerdes highlighted the park’s potential to strengthen the historic Gas Plant District as that area is redeveloped.
Designers also plan to echo the neighborhood’s past. A 1923 Sanborn map shows houses and outbuildings that once lined the west side of 18th Street. Landscape architect Ken Smith of LandDesign said those historic footprints could be reflected in planters, gathering areas and play structures, linking the city’s heritage to its future.
Funding and ownership challenges
The project’s $55 million price tag will be met in phases: roughly $23 million for the first two phases, followed by $16 million and $15 million for later stages. No single funding package is in place yet. Transportation Director Evan Mory indicated that state grants are likely to play a major role, with additional city funding to be considered in future council budgets. Friends of Trails Crossing will also pursue private donations and other sources, describing the financing as coming “from all buckets.”
Because the land beneath I‑275 is owned by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the city must renegotiate its long‑standing agreement from the 1970s. Mory said FDOT has been involved in the planning process and has not raised major concerns, but a new agreement will be a “pretty heavy lift.”
Impact on local businesses
Vertical Ventures, a climbing gym that currently uses parking under the interstate, has a five‑year agreement that will be honored while the park is built. Councilmember Richie Floyd stressed the need for clear management and public‑access provisions as the city moves toward a public‑private operating model.
Next steps
The committee’s approval allows the master plan to advance to the full City Council for a final vote. If approved, the city will continue negotiations with FDOT, finalize funding sources and begin early construction phases that preserve existing parking for Vertical Ventures.
Beyond the park itself, Barkett envisions additional pedestrian links south toward Johns Hopkins Middle School, Campbell Park and Booker Creek, further knitting together St. Pete’s neighborhoods and downtown core.
Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.
