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'A Microcosm Of Tampa'

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 2, 2008

VIRGINIA PARK - After growing up an Army brat, it's still surprising to Peggy Blanton that she hasn't moved in the past 55 years.

"That amazes me," Blanton said. "I don't know why; well, my family was here."

She and her husband, McAllister, moved to Virginia Park in 1953 from Wisconsin. The couple built a home on half of his parents' property; they had established themselves in Virginia Park in 1947.

Peggy Blanton's parents, newly retired, moved to Florida the same year to be near her. Virginia Park had just been annexed by the city and Dale Mabry Highway only reached Hillsborough Avenue.

The Blantons raised four daughters in their home on Santiago Street.

"I never dreamed I'd end up in Florida," said Peggy Blanton, 80, who was a substitute teacher at schools including Wilson Middle and Plant High in South Tampa. "But if I had my choice, I don't know where else I'd go."

Blanton, whose husband died in 1993, cited the neighborhood's convenient location as an asset. Community relationships are another, said Spencer Kass, president of the Virginia Park Residential Neighborhood Association.

"They do the right things for the right reason, and they sleep well at night," said Kass, 34, vice president of operations of Landmarc Realty in West Tampa.

He said neighbors gather for an annual spring picnic, volunteer at the Gasparilla Marathon and deliver the association newsletter to the 5,000 residents.

Virginia Park's borders are Palmira Avenue to the north, Dale Mabry to the east, Euclid Avenue to the south and Manhattan Avenue to the west. The association also represents the subdivisions of Virginia Terrace, Bel-mar, Palma Ceia Park and Maryland Manor.

"Our community is such a microcosm of Tampa," said Kass, a resident since 2002. "We have attorneys, college professors, business people, retirees. We cover the entire gamut, and it perfectly represents our neighborhood."

He said the neighborhood needs stormwater upgrades and reclaimed water.

Corona Park, 3702 W. Corona St., is being renovated, with the city matching the association's $3,000 contribution and a resident's donation of $3,000. The project began more than two years ago.

"Hopefully, this will be the year that it will get done," Kass said.

Residents have discussed renovations for Friendship Park, 4124 Bay to Bay Blvd.

A new community Web site with a discussion group will be unveiled Tuesday, the association's next meeting date.

"Honestly, it is just a truly wonderful neighborhood," Kass said.

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Virginia Park Residential Neighborhood Association

NUMBER OF RESIDENTS: 5,000

NUMBER OF HOME SITES: 2,000

BOUNDARIES: Palmira, Euclid and Manhattan avenues, and Dale Mabry Highway
INFORMATION: Meets quarterly at Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave.; next meeting is at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday. Voluntary dues are $25 annually.

CONTACT: President Spencer Kass at (813) 600-1750 or www.virginiapark.org; a new site will be unveiled Tuesday at groups.google.com/group/virginia-park-residential-neighborhood-association

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 835-2114 or jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com.

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