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New Features Added To Park

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By JOSE PATINO GIRONA

jpatino@tampatrib.com

Published: November 19, 2008

DOWNTOWN - Closed in 2005 to make room for construction equipment, Herman Massey Park has been welcomed back in style.

New features include ornamental steel fencing, a retro-style water fountain accessible to the disabled, a rose garden, a dog-walking area and a revamped granite seating area with bronze frogs to discourage skateboarders.

With the rise of condominiums, town homes and restaurants on North Franklin Street, officials hope the downtown park attracts residents, the lunch crowd and visitors.

"It complements the people who live here," Mayor Pam Iorio said at the Nov. 10 rededication ceremony. "And, of course, it complements the people who work here."

The 150-by-250-foot park, 1002 N. Franklin St., originally opened 20 years ago and is named for a former city parks department director. The park was closed while the city leased the property to condo developers as a staging area.

"We feel the use of the area has changed, so we feel the park will change," project manager Karla Price said. "Before, it was a lot of homeless, to be honest. It really deterred other people from using it."

She envisions weddings at the park.

The city spent $83,700 on the project, tapping local property taxes earmarked for downtown improvements. The park will be open from dawn to dusk.

The Tampa Rose Society planted 37 rose bushes at the park. Fermin Rodriguez, a society board member, broached the idea with the city, which was considering planting a rose garden.

"I think it is beautiful," Rodriguez said of the park. "I loved it the minute I saw it."

Reporter Jose Patino Girona can be reached at (813) 259-7659.

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