LEALMAN, Fla. — If you talk to residents in the unincorporated community of Lealman, they’ll tell you Raymond Neri Park is a hidden gem in their “kind-of-forgotten” neighborhood.
They’re now hopeful the millions now being invested to upgrade the area will change both of those descriptors.
On Tuesday, Pinellas County broke ground on the more than $10 million park improvement project that’s been discussed in the area for decades.
“It really will be what we consider a community park, a centerpiece for the community to come out and enjoy the outdoors,” says Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Director Paul Cozzie.
First opened in 2005, the sprawling 38-acre plot of land that will get a new playground, trails, landscaping picnic shelters, dog parks and more.
The majority of funding is coming from the federal American Rescue Plan Act, Pinellas County commissioners approved the spending last month.
“It's just about quality of life. So one, they're actually getting to enjoy that. But, two, just as important I think is it's saying, Pinellas County is investing in the people of Lealman. And that's really an important message too,” said Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice.
“Lealman was kind of lost for several years. And we're back on the map,” says resident and local organizer Jen Post, calling the project a much-needed jolt of energy for the community.
“Like the old movie, build it and they will come,” Post said. “I believe that this is one of the first huge items that they're building for the community, it’s going to be fantastic.”
“We’ll finally have somewhere that the neighborhood can walk to playgrounds for kids. We've started doing events here. It's huge to bring our community together, something we haven't had,” Post added.
It’s a park of dreams for her and many others who’ve pushed to better Lealman as a whole. Though the biggest advocate was none other than the park’s namesake.
“This was a boarded up area, that Ray Neri said 20 years ago said hey, why don't we make a park?,” Justice explained. “We put in a trail, we're improving the creek, but now this is really the next step that is a long time coming.”
Before he passed in 2017, Ray Neri was essentially Mr. Lealman, one of the big reasons the park even exists.
“It's heartwarming to see everyone's still working on a dream that Ray had so many years ago,” said Laura Neri, his widow.
Laura says she knows Ray is smiling down, while the work to finish his dream finally gets underway.
“He knew that the area was kind of invisible, because it was unincorporated and it wasn't the most wealthy area so it didn't get a lot of attention. He'd be very happy to see all the attention that it's getting now,” Laura added.
The park will be closed as construction gets ramped up this summer. Completion is expected by early 2026.
The county says the project is part of a major commitment to improve the quality of life in Lealman.
“Other advancements include establishing the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) to reinvest local tax revenue back into the community, the Lealman Exchange community center, and the future Joe’s Creek Restoration and Greenway Trail."