Park Plan Saves Century-Old Tree, Improves Shop Visibility

The giant oak tree that sits outside of towers over the building that sits behind it and overhangs part of the Pinellas Trail that runs alongside it.

Not only does the shadow of the 125-year-old tree literally envelop much of the area surrounding it, but its metaphorical shadow casts a wide and powerful hold over many residents and business owners in the community.

City commissioners agreed on Nov. 17 to donate the land outside Cafe Alfresco to the restaurant for a future pedestrian-friendly park that will also protect the ancient oak. 

"We have this agreement because this area is rather unique in its location next to the ," Matthew Campbell, assistant to the city manager, said at the Nov. 17 city commission meeting.

The area allows for parallel parking right out front of the shops that line the piece of land between the building and the trail, which chokes off the natural beauty of the land and obscures the frontage space of the businesses. The plan will correct that.

"I'm excited about it," Barbara Melby-Burhans, owner of Clay and Paper Gallery of Art, said of the park. "Not only will it help with business, but it will also help the tree."

Under the agreement, the city will take bids to develop the park and pay for improvements that will include adding a wide, curved walkway with pavers that will branch out from the trail, allowing the foliage to breath better and providing better visibility for the shops and their patrons.

"We might lose a couple of parking spaces, but we'll get used to it," said Linda Renc, owner of . "We can live without the lot. I'd rather see it green. Plus it will increase the life of the tree."

Barbara Flowers, owner of , echoes the sentiments of her fellow shop owners.

"It will help get people down here, because right now when the cars park here, they block our shops," she said.