Get a first look at the new Coachman Park in Clearwater as it nears grand opening
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Jun 14, 2023

Coachman Park, which anchors the $84 million Imagine Clearwater project, is two weeks away from its grand opening.

Mayor Brian Aungst Sr. told the Tampa Bay Business Journal this was a “catalytic project” and said he believes the new park will highlight the many opportunities downtown waiting to be activated. He said Clearwater has always been fortunate that the beach is part of its city — unlike other municipalities like St. Petersburg which operates separately from St. Pete Beach — but now it is time for “downtown to catch up to the beach.”

“What this is going to do is it will tie the beach into the downtown waterfront,” Aungst said. “Years ago we did a study with the Urban Land Institute, and they said we need to tie the beach to this waterfront community. I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ve traveled the world — I’ve been very fortunate — and this is going to be a destination. It’s unlike anything else.”

Aungst said when people park and come to the park they’ll be walking past restaurants and retail, bringing waves of visitors to local businesses.

The 19-acre park will feature a pirate island-themed playground, a splash pad, a boardwalk and lake area, botanical garden, a bluff walk, a 4- to 5-acre green space for picnics and events and a gateway plaza.

The development also includes a new dockmaster office plaza and a “bier pier.” There are multiple areas in the park dedicated to public artwork and the green space features five metal torches sculptures that were custom-made for the project.

The Sound, the boutique music venue on the waterfront, offers 4,000 covered seats with lawn space that could seat up to 5,000 guests. There are multiple restrooms on-site and four entrances to the area for its ticketed events.

The venue also has an “elevated experience” area, which offers an air-conditioned room complete with a wet bar, catered food area, restrooms and seating as well as an upper-level balcony that overlooks the stage and Coachman Park. The Sound is managed by Ruth Eckerd Hall, and there will be a minimum of 35 events a year at the venue.

“It’s just a beautiful facility,” Aungst said. “And it fills a void in the area. You’ve got the amphitheater in Tampa, which seats 20,000 people, and this offers a more intimate environment while still being a good size.”

The only permanent concession at The Sound is a six-bay window overlooking the green space. The plan is to have a rotating group of food trucks on-site, which can be catered specifically around the different concerts.

There are just under 200 parking spaces adjacent to the park, but approximately 3,000 parking spaces are within walking distance. An additional 2,000 privately owned parking spaces are also nearby.

The city and Ruth Eckerd Hall will host a grand opening celebration from June 28 to July 4 and will culminate in the city’s annual July 4 fireworks show.