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Suncoast Pinellas News

County approves Wall Springs Park addition

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BY MARK SCHANTZ

SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF

Published: May 2, 2008

PALM HARBOR - County commissioners recently voted to purchase environmentally sensitive property adjacent to Wall Springs Park. They now hope the state will fund half the purchase price during a year when budget cuts have been in the forefront in Tallahassee.

The park is in Northern Pinellas, between Tarpon Springs and Palm Harbor, along Alt. 19.

At a County Commission meeting last week, interim County Administrator Fred Marquis told commissioners the four-and-a-half-acre parcel, adjacent to Wall Springs Park, south of Wai Lani Road, would cost $1.2 million.

This latest purchase would expand one of the county's larger parks, amounting to about 212 acres, said James Meloy, manager of the county's real estate division.

The park preserves one of the county's most pristine areas and is home to a variety of wildlife and the historic Wall Springs itself, Meloy explained.

Commissioners hope the Florida Communities Trust Grant will pay 50 percent of the purchase price for the additional land. Although the project ranked high on the trust's priority list, grant funding situation is precarious, county staff reported to the County Commission. The Legislature has been cutting spending because state revenue is down, thanks to the collapse of the Florida housing market and other economic problems.

Meloy said the property meets most of the requirements for grant funding and staff remains optimistic.

If the Legislature cuts Florida Communities Trust funding, the county would still buy the property, making up for any shortfall with Penny for Pinellas sales tax revenue, he explained.

The county believes it received a fair asking price for the property after getting two appraisals.

"This is a beautiful area, virtually untouched by development," Meloy said "The county is committed to preserving its natural environment and this will be a beautiful addition to round out Wall Springs Park."

Another large parcel, roughly three acres between Alt. 19 and the property now being acquired, will be purchased next, when its owner is ready, Meloy said.

Then all that would be left to complete the Wall Springs development project is to fill in gaps with purchases of small enclaves of private property. This land is adjacent to the park south of Wai Lani Road, he added.

Mark Schantz can be reached at 727-815-1075 or mschantz@suncoastnews.com.

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