DUNEDIN — In his 40 years in parks and recreation, Vince Gizzi has never seen anything like the community-led action resulting in the establishment of the Gladys Douglas Nature Preserve.
DUNEDIN — City Manager Jennifer Bramley called the celebration May 13 for the city’s acquisition of the Gladys Douglas-Hackworth property a “big day for all of us — the birds,
Gladys Douglasâ 44-acre oasis ânow owned by the people foreverâ
Dunedin closed on the $10 million purchase Thursday. The land was headed for housing development last year.
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Dozens of activists and city officials celebrate on Thursday, May 13, 2021, the day Dunedin closed its $10 million purchase of the 44-acre Gladys Douglas property at the corner of Virginia Avenue and Keene Road. [ MENGSHIN LIN | Times ]
Updated May 14
They met near the bank of the freshwater lake that Gladys Douglas loved so much and clinked glasses of champagne in amazement over what theyâd just pulled off.
Pinellas County Commissioners, activists and others whoâve agonized over the fate of these 44 acres watched on Thursday evening as Dunedin officials signed a mock deed to celebrate the cityâs official purchase of the land for a public park.