Coachman Park, a key piece of Clearwater's downtown revitalization, plans opening celebration
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Mar 14, 2023

Coachman Park, the anchor of the $84 million Imagine Clearwater project, will mark its opening with a weeklong celebration.

Clearwater has been planning the transformation of its downtown waterfront for more than seven years; the project has been under construction for two years. City council on Monday supported staff’s request to allocate $482,000 of general fund reserves toward the weeklong celebration at a workshop session. Council will formally vote on the allocation Thursday.

The opening of the park marks a critical step in Clearwater's ongoing efforts to revitalize its downtown core. Adjacent to the property are two bluffs parcels which will be redeveloped by New York-based Gotham and Palm Harbor's DeNunzio Group. The $400 million redevelopment of the city-owned properties will bring a hotel, apartments and retail within walking distance of Coachman Park.

Skanska USA is the general contractor of Imagine Clearwater. Coachman Park spans approximately 19 acres and has extensive green space, a playground and splash pad. Imagine Clearwater also includes a bluff walk and a gateway plaza along with a 4,000-seat amphitheater called The Sound.

The park's opening celebration will run from June 28 to July 4 and will culminate with the city’s annual July 4 fireworks show. Each day is themed around Clearwater partaking in a celebration: Clearwater Celebrates Wellness, Clearwater Celebrates Diversity, Clearwater Celebrates America, etc.

If the proposed schedule remains, the event will highlight how the city intends to operate in collaboration with Ruth Eckerd Hall, which is managing The Sound on the park property. The Sound also has lawn space for an additional 5,000 guests, and Ruth Eckerd Hall intends to host a minimum of 35 events a year at the venue.

In the venue license agreement with Ruth Eckerd Hall, the city can have 10 events a year at the site as well as the right to use the venue on July 4 and July 5. The proposed schedule for the grand opening week would use two of the city’s 10 days as well as utilize the July 4 date.

When staff polled the community about Coachman Park, parking was among the top concerns. The budget includes plans to have the free Jolley Trolley Park and Ride shuttle service for many of the busier days during the week. The budget for public safety costs will be approved at a later date.