BROOKSVILLE — Clarence Clark Sr. is keeping his fingers crossed and hoping his beloved Kennedy Park will see a revival.
The 41-year-old lifelong Brooksville resident grew up playing sports at Kennedy Park, a modest-sized green oasis in a struggling neighborhood south of Jefferson Street. The park, however, has been limping along in recent years.
Residents like Clark want more parking, sports lights and playground equipment for children. And at one point, it appeared their hopes would be answered through a $200,000 grant from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program.
But those dreams faded when state cut out the money for the grant because of ongoing economic troubles.
Neighbors are now left hoping that things improve next year and the state will restore the funds.
"There's so much that can be done," Clark said Friday. "We're in desperate need of parking especially."
The concerns of Clark and others in Brooksville have been heard, said Pat Fagan, director of Hernando County's Parks and Recreation Department. He said the county has reapplied for the same grant and hopes to receive some aid next year.
This grant, Fagan said, would alleviate some of the larger concerns at the park. It would fund reconstructing a new entrance off Emerson Road and creating more parking spaces.
In the meantime, some visitors to Kennedy Park are trying to remain optimistic.
Cindy Spano works with children through the Eckerd Youth Alternatives program and visits the park regularly during the summer. "I've always loved this park because of the big trees and nice shade," she said Friday.
Spano said some of the conditions were not ideal, but overall she enjoys spending time at Kennedy Park.
Clark expressed the same sentiments and didn't wish to blame the county for the park's current state.
"I know Fagan and everyone else is doing the best job they can," he said. "I just hope we'll be able to find some help."
In the meantime, the surrounding south Brooksville community will continue to use the park for family reunions and youth sports. On Friday, nearly 60 children ages 6 to 12 ran around with smiles and laughter on their faces as part of a summer day camp sponsored by the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.
It's on days like this, Clark said, that he remembers his youth at Kennedy Park.
"My grandfather helped to built this park," he said. "I want to see it in the best shape it can be in."
Ryan Strong can be reached at rstrong@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1432.
News
