Pinellas Park Farm Honors Councilwoman Johnson's Vision

Pinellas Park is developing a community farm on city-purchased land, a project fulfilling the vision of former Councilwoman Patti Johnson. The city acquired the property in 2017, and the farm was renamed in Johnson's memory in 2022. Funding for the acquisition and redevelopment came from Penny for Pinellas and city parkland dedication fees.

Johnson, an avid horsewoman, advocated for the city to purchase the land for a municipal farm. Her daughter, current Councilwoman Patti Reed, who shares her mother's passion for horses and farming, continues to champion the project. "We are grateful for her forethought and vision and are working hard to cultivate the seed she planted to bring it to bloom," the city stated.

The property previously housed Suncoast Trailblazers, a non-profit equestrian therapy program, from 1999 to 2010. The program's co-founder, Therese Christian Bailey, died in 2011, and her father, John "Jack" Bailey, died in 2015, leading to the property's sale.

Significant progress occurred in recent fiscal years. In Fiscal Year 2022, a concrete concession stand shell from David Field became a public restroom, and a modular unit from Fire Station 36 moved to serve as staff office space and storage. Dedicated staff positions were created in September 2022.

During Fiscal Year 2023, City Capital Improvement Funds financed a new well, irrigation piping, and weather-proof animal pens. Partial underground drainage minimized water in animal pen areas and fed a deepened pond. The irrigation system now supports ground plantings.

In February 2023, The Police and Kids Foundation donated $100,000 for a new educational pavilion. The pavilion will serve as a gathering space for school groups participating in educational workshops. The city proposed additional Capital Improvement Funds to ensure necessary infrastructure supports these all-weather facilities for school field trips, 4-H activities, and other community learning opportunities.

Fiscal Year 2024 plans include demolition, site preparation, infrastructure work, and the construction of new feed storage and barn/pavilion structures. Improved walkways are also planned for areas where groundwork is complete.

The Leisure Services Department manages daily farm operations with General Fund dollars. Community residents also contribute time as volunteers.