Pioneer Park May Be Renamed for Longtime Leader

Dunedin's most visible public square may soon don the name of one of its pioneering public figures.

City leaders will consider renaming Pioneer Park to memorialize Dunedin's longest-serving city manager, John R. Lawrence, at Thursday's commission meeting.

Pioneer Park would be renamed "The John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park," to commemorate his achievement through two decades as city manager. His achievements qualify as "outstanding" under the city's renaming policy, according to city documents. A historical marker would also be placed at the park.

Lawrence is credited with leading Dunedin through a time of struggling downtown development and outdated wastewater and water treatment plant, according to city records.

"He proceeded to lead Dunedin through a 21-year era of progressive growth and accomplishments," city documents say.

At the time of his retirement in 2005, he was the longest serving city manager in Pinellas County, according to city documents.

The public can attend Thursday's meeting at Dunedin City Hall or watch the meeting live beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Dunedin TV on Channel 615 for Bright House customers or Channel 15 for Knology and Verizon customers.

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