Clearwater opens new Coachman Park and waterfront after decades of dreaming
Brooke and Vic Santana rolled their bikes up to Osceola Avenue, a Yorkshire Terrier in each basket and lawn chairs on their backs, waiting to soak in what city officials have been trying to give the community for decades.
With fireworks and more than 2,000 people marking the historic day, the City of Clearwater cut the ribbon on the $84 million renovation of Coachman Park and the downtown waterfront on Wednesday after seven years of planning, design and construction but more than 20 years of dreaming.
Imagine Clearwater transformed what used to be an asphalt parking lot and underused Coachman Park lawn into a 19-acre public space that joins St. Petersburg’s Pier and Tampa’s Riverwalk as one of the region’s signature urban features. With views of Clearwater Harbor, paths wind around shaded gathering areas, a 2-acre green for lounging and farmers’ markets, a playground and splashpad, a garden, and a bluff walk to see it all.
The Sound, an amphitheater with a canopy for 4,000 seats and lawn space for 5,000 more, is a centerpiece that has made Coachman Park the only place in Tampa Bay with a mid-sized outdoor venue. It kicked off the opening day with a sold-out free concert by Cheap Trick, a preview of what’s to come from shows run by Ruth Eckerd Hall.
“Coachman Park is more than just a physical space,” City Manager Jennifer Poirrier said to the crowd waiting for the ribbon cutting. “It’s a testament to the power of collective vision, collaboration and community involvement.”
The vision for this feat began more than two decades ago, when city officials selected developers who pitched a $300 million makeover of Coachman Park and the bluff. But voters in 2000 rejected the idea of leasing city-owned land to the developers for $1 a year for 99 years.
The city tried again with planning for Imagine Clearwater in 2016. Officials developed a concept that aimed to make the waterfront a gathering place for visitors and tourists to take advantage of its unique feature as an elevated bluff 10 to 32 feet above sea level.
The city marked the achievement on Wednesday by honoring the elected officials, city staff and residents who all contributed to the planning and advocated for the transformation. Poirrier handed a bouquet of flowers to Loretta Horne, the widow of Bill Horne, who worked as city manager for 20 years and oversaw the Imagine Clearwater effort before his death in 2021.
“It’s like waiting for Christmas for 22 years and the dream has finally come true and we’re going to fully utilize the park,” said former Mayor Frank Hibbard, who was in office when the project broke ground in 2021.
“There’s something for everybody here,” Hibbard said. “I see a wonderful place for families and kids. I see a great place for people who just want to chill out and relax. Then there’s the entertainment venue that I hope will drive additional buzz into the downtown and create memories for people.”
The city has achieved its goal of awakening the waterfront. But Imagine Clearwater’s other objective of bringing businesses and visitors to the surrounding downtown is less certain.
Although there is a cluster of restaurants and businesses on Cleveland Street, most of the buildings and storefronts within walking distance of the park are empty. Companies tied to the Church of Scientology began buying them in 2017 and have kept most of the properties vacant ever since.
The city is still negotiating with a development team to bring a hotel and apartments with shopping and restaurants to two city-owned bluff parcels bordering the park, a deal that voters blessed at the polls last year.
But for now, generations of residents are rooting for the park’s success. In 1943, E. H. Coachman sold his waterfront land on the bluff, including where his house stood near what is now the Main Library, so the city could turn it into a public park.
It served as a park for decades. But with the asphalt parking lot taking up much of the waterfront and the lawn often empty, many in the community have been dreaming for more.
On Wednesday, more than a dozen of Coachman’s family members were there to watch people enjoy the next chapter of their legacy.
The Santanas were ready to do just that. Brooke Santana, 34, was already planning for daily bike rides to the park during her lunch breaks and evening walks to see the sunset.
“It’s stunning,” Brooke Santana said. “I’m going to want to be here every day.”
