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.
DUNEDIN â City Manager Jennifer Bramley called the celebration May 13 for the cityâs acquisition of the Gladys Douglas-Hackworth property a âbig day for all of us â the birds, the bees and the flowers and the trees.â
She went on a lot of boat tours on Jerry Lake by the east parcel until she found out that one of the inhabitants was a 9-foot alligator, she said, in jest.
âKeep an eye on my back as I do this presentation,â she said, drawing laughter.
City and county officials, local residents, donors and members of various conservation groups and others attended the ceremony on site of the 44-acre property.
DUNEDIN â Two months from now, city officials expect to celebrate the acquisition of the 44-acre Gladys-Douglas Hackworth property.
It s not quite a done deal, but recent actions city and county officials have taken is a breath of fresh air for them and the other partners involved in efforts to preserve the land.
The next big step in the process of buying the land at the northeast corner of Virginia Avenue and Keene Road for $10 million is the closing in about two months.
After months of discussions, negotiations and fundraising efforts, city commissioners Feb. 23 cleared the way for that. I can t wait until we get to sign on the dotted line, Mayor Julie Ward Bujalski said.