Duke Energy donates $500,000 to replace Rainier Park pedestrian bridge amid $10M park renovation

Pinellas County accepted a $500,000 donation from Duke Energy on Aug. 5 to help replace a deteriorated pedestrian bridge at Rainier Park, county parks staff said. "As part of our project, we intersected with an important project with Duke Energy with one of their transmission corridors," Paul Kazi, director of Parks and Conservation Resources, told commissioners. Kazi said the county was finishing a $10 million expansion and renovation at Rainier Park and that Duke's donation would allow replacement of an aging wooden deck bridge that the county had repeatedly refurbished. Nut graf: The donation is a one‑time charitable contribution earmarked for a specific capital improvement at a park undergoing larger renovation; county staff said it reduces costs to ratepayers and addresses a safety and accessibility need not fully covered in the current project budget. Discussion vs. decision: County staff and Duke Energy representatives described the history of coordination and the project need. Jeff Baker of Duke Energy presented a ceremonial check and said the donation would help avoid costly redesigns and support community safety and accessibility. Action: The board approved acceptance of the gift by motion; commissioners voted unanimously to accept the donation. Ending: Parks staff said they will incorporate the bridge replacement into the remaining work at Rainier Park and proceed with design and permitting.