Commission approves Hurley Park playground with $37,500 Montessori contribution

The Saint Pete Beach City Commission adopted Resolution 2025-07 on March 25 to accept a $37,500 contribution from Montessori by the Sea (operated by Passagrille Community Church) toward purchase of playground equipment at Hurley Park and to authorize a service agreement with Project Innovations for construction.

Mandy Edmonds, acting recreation director, said the playground equipment and surfacing were budgeted through the FY25 capital improvement program with a $140,000 line item and that quoted playground equipment and surfacing cost $99,540.60. Edmonds said the Montessori contribution would reduce the city’s immediate draw on CIP funds; under the agreement the school’s contribution is $37,500 and the remaining playground funding from the CIP will be allocated at the commission’s discretion.

Why it matters: The item restores a long-delayed community playground near the pavilion and courts at Hurley Park; staff and proponents said it would serve local children and families and that the design meets playground safety standards.

Edmonds described the design and location—on the southwest corner between the pavilion and the basketball/pickleball court—and noted integrated shade at the platform. Public comment included support from Denise Chase, who said residents and Montessori families have pressed for the playground for nearly a decade, and Deborah Schechner, who thanked the Montessori contribution and urged the city to include swings.

Commission discussion included several commissioners who said they had done outreach to residents and were persuaded the playground should proceed. The resolution passed by roll call vote; Edmonds will proceed with the Project Innovations construction contract recommended in the staff report.

Ending: Staff will move forward with equipment procurement and construction scheduling; the remaining CIP funds for recreation projects will be allocated by future commission direction.