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A plan that holds water

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By KATHY STEELE

ksteele@tampatrib.com

Published: September 16, 2009

EAST TAMPA - Retired city stormwater employee James Lee knows the ugly and the beautiful about the retention pond at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

He once rode a bush hog tracker for the city to trim back the weeds and overgrowth. It was just an "ugly thing with a fence around it." But nowadays he sits beneath the cover of a wooden pier to feed ducks and enjoy the quiet and peace of a newly-created "lake."

"Now it's a beautiful place," Lee said. "I read my Bible here. I just come over to watch these silly birds. I get a kick out of feeding them."

His friend, Curtis Smith Sr., shares Lee's wonder at the transformation. "I call it the Garden of Eden," he said. "I think Jesus inspired them to put it here."

For years residents have said the many retention ponds in East Tampa are eyesores. More than five years ago the design and planning of makeovers for three ponds began. Local tax dollars have paid for two ponds within the redevelopment area bordered by Hillsborough Avenue, interstates 275 and 4, and Tampa's city limits.

The first to open was the Fair Oaks Community Lake, next to Fair Oaks playground on 34th Street. A grand opening is expected for the $1.5 million makeover on Martin Luther King in a few weeks. A renaming ceremony at Fair Oaks also is planned.

The aesthetics and beautification committee of the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership has recommended naming the ponds for two long-time activists and businessmen.

If approved by city council members, the Fair Oaks lake would become the Herbert D. Carrington Sr. Community Lake, and the Martin Luther King lake would be named the Robert L. Cole Sr. Community Lake.

The Martin Luther King lake's amenities include benches, an exercise course and walking trail, a pier and two-story observation deck. Several sections of walkway commemorate historical figures such as civil rights activists Rosa Parks and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; the first black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm; Jackie Robinson, who broke Major League Baseball's color barrier; and President Barack Obama.

Students from Young Middle Magnet School, across the street, will use the lake as a learning tool for science projects.

Temple Terrace resident Chauntelle Hicks stops by nearly every day after work for a walk around the trail.

"It's real peaceful this time of day," Hicks said. She would like to see signs for owners to clean up after their dogs. A section of wooden boardwalk is dotted with bird droppings. "Let's have a little more upkeep, and it would be perfect," Hicks said.

Michael Bush walks from his home to do sit-ups and pull-ups on exercise equipment. "I think it's a lot better than the way it was," he said. "As long as people in the neighborhood keep it up, I love it."

Alex Borges lives within two blocks. Initially he disapproved of spending more than $1 million on the pond given the city's budget deficit and layoffs. He now is a regular walker with his Pekingese, Machee. Borges has lost 40 pounds with diet and exercise. Even Machee has lost a pound and seems as frisky as a puppy, Borges said.

But the best part is what the lake has done for the community, he said. "I see husbands and wives walking, girlfriend and boyfriend walking, granddaughter and grandmother walking and talking," said Borges, who pulled out a pamphlet of Biblical quotes. "This place is heaven sent."Smith hopes the city can move forward on a third pond at 22nd and Chelsea streets. The poor economy has shrunk the tax dollars available for East Tampa community projects from just more than $6 million this year to about $4 million in 2010. So, for now, a third pond makeover is not on the table.

"People need things to inspire their lives," Smith said. For many neighborhood children, the community lake is a first introduction to wildlife, such as turtles, egrets and ducks.

"I see the excitement on the children's faces," he said. "That is so beautiful. This is regenerating this whole community, bringing it back alive."

Reporter Kathy Steele can be reached at (813) 259-7652.

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