Payne Park's future remains uncertain

Payne Park is suffering from an identity crisis — one the city may soon be forced to formally address.

The park is designated as an “active” park due to its tennis courts and skate park, but a 2003 master plan states the city’s goal for the rest of the park is to keep open space free for more passive activities.

“Open fields would provide open space for free play, picnicking, enjoying the outdoors and gathering for special events,” the city’s 2002 parks and connectivity master plan states.

Since then, the City Commission has repeatedly expressed a desire to see increased activity at Payne Park, including potential public-private partnerships. One such opportunity arose earlier this month, when the Suncoast Sports Club sought to rent open space at the park on a weekly basis for youth sports activities.

The request saw a mixed response from the commission members: They were interested in the park being used more, but they also had to take into consideration the original plan for the green space.

Commissioner Susan Chapman said she was interested in hearing from other interested parties before committing to changing the character of the park.

“This was supposed to be a passive park, not a sports arena-type park,” Chapman said.

Stephen Weeks, vice president of operations for Suncoast Sports Club, pointed out that the open fields at the park are already commonly used for more active recreational purposes. Todd Kucharski, the city’s parks general manager, verified that claim.

“We have a green space that the community has been utilizing for other activities — rugby, soccer, football,” Kucharski said.

That fact received a mixed reception at a December public forum, designed to elicit community feedback as the city develops an update to the Payne Park master plan. Some of those who spoke at that meeting endorsed using the open space for sports, but others said the original plan should be upheld.

“We did agree on this plan as a passive park,” one commenter said. “We didn't agree for lacrosse; we didn't agree for soccer; we didn't agree for these fields that need upkeep and maintenance.”

That comment touched on another potential hurdle to allowing more active uses of Payne Park. Deputy City Manager Marlon Brown said the current grass at the park would need to be replaced — potentially with turf — due to maintenance costs and the wear on the field.

City Manager Tom Barwin said another public meeting regarding the Payne Park master plan should be held soon and that the future usage of the park could be part of the agenda. The city is also seeking other proposals from similar groups before coming to a decision regarding Suncoast Sports Club’s plan.

Contact David Conway at [email protected]