Amenities/character

The Bartlett Park Neighborhood is a traditional residential development in south St. Petersburg focused around the 30-acre Bartlett Park. The neighborhood is bounded by 11th Avenue South on the north, 22nd Avenue South on the south, 4th Street South on the east and 9th (Dr. M.L. King) Street South on the west. The neighborhood has brick streets and hexagon block sidewalks in several locations, as well as oak tree lined rights-of-way, running through the center of the neighborhood for visual and movement purposes. Several blocks run uninterrupted from 7th Street to 9th Street creating a unique linear residential pattern. Housing stock is moderately priced and there are many opportunities for rehabilitation. There are also vacant lots available for infill housing.

Architecture

The general character of the Bartlett Park Neighborhood is that associated with traditional residential development within St. Petersburg. The neighborhood is laid out in an east/west grid pattern with small houses on small lots. Most of the houses are one-story in character. A variety of construction materials are present including wood, stucco, concrete block and some brick. Common building setbacks and site orientation form a strong contextual setting. Surveys done in previous years have identified one property which has historical or architectural merit: 630 14th Avenue South. This Mediterranean Revival structure was built in 1929. There are approximately eight (8) structures in the neighborhood that exhibit a high degree of architectural degree or style. Primarily, these are vernacular style farm houses which may have been built prior to the development of the neighborhood or were the first homes constructed in the neighborhood.

History

Bartlett Park offers the traditional character associated with the last boom era of the 1920s and post war development. Most of the area was platted between 1913 to the early 1920s and derives its name from A. F. Bartlett, who was an active civic leader in the community. Bartlett Park, also named for Mr. Bartlett, began as a Civil Works Administration (WPA) project in 1933 and 1934. Later WPA projects led to further development and improvements.

Organizations/programs

Neighborhood Association

The Bartlett Park Neighborhood Association was formed in December 1991, and joined the City's Neighborhood Planning Program the same year. A group of neighborhood residents and business owners met regularly to develop the Bartlett Park Neighborhood Plan which was adopted by City Council in June 1993. The neighborhood and city worked to jointly implement the plan components, such as landscaping, sidewalk improvements, neighborhood identity and enhancement of Bartlett Park. The neighborhood has also established a community resource center located at 1453 4th Street South. The neighborhood association meets the second Thursday of each month at the Frank Pierce Community Center located at 2000 7th Street South. Neighborhood revitalization is one of the main concerns of the residents of Bartlett Park.

St. Petersburg Tennis Center

The St. Petersburg Tennis Center, located at 650 18th Avenue South, was founded in 1929 and has operated at its present location in the Bartlett Park neighborhood since 1935. The center features St. Petersburg's only public clay courts and is the headquarters for all tennis programs for the city. The tennis center is a tremendous community asset with a rich history. The center has hosted some of the world's best professional players including: Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Rod Laver, Jennifer Capriati and Jack Kramer.

Frank Pierce Community Center

The Frank Pierce Community Center provides many structured activities for children as well as playground facilities, basketball courts, and volleyball. Some structured activities include play camps, karate, Rising Stars Basketball Foundation, aerobics, Teen Council, Senior Fellowship and a walking club. The center also has a computer lab and provides an introduction to computers course. For more information, contact Rick Craft at 893-7731.

Olive B. McLin Neighborhood Family Center

The Olive B. McLin Neighborhood Center, located at 1900 9th Street South, provides families with children up to the age of five years with a primary network of support and resources such as support groups and parenting classes. Young parents meet, share experiences and improve parenting skills. The Family Action Plan gives them a framework to help them meet their personal goals. The center also serves as a focal point for neighborhood activities and gatherings, a place where neighbors can join together at events such as pot luck suppers, volunteer their time or work on personal goals. The program is funded by Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) and Family Preservation and Support Services of Pinellas County. Housed within the Center are several programs; they include:

* Gifted Enlightened Minority Students (GEMS): The GEMS Program targets young adolescent, minority youth, 10-15 years old, from single-parent and/or low income households who are enrolled in the Gifted Students Program in Pinellas County public schools. Many of these children struggle to meet the challenges of their advanced academic program. Their parents often lack basic life-management skills and cannot offer the guidance, experimental opportunities and support these children need to fulfill their potential. In addition, minority adolescents must deal with age-related social issues, especially negative peer pressure which may encourage standards of behaviors which are diametrically opposed to positive social values. The GEMS Program offers experiences that strengthen the adolescents' network of support, enrich their lives and expand their horizons. GEMS is funded by JWB.

* Community History Project: Community residents are invited to help document where we have come from and where we are going through a social history project based at the Olive B. McLin Neighborhood Family Center. This special community history activity will help document the history of the general area from 4th Street South to 22nd Street South and from Campbell Park to the Harbordale Neighborhood. Needed are scrapbooks, old photographs and volunteers' time and knowledge.

* The Optimist Club of South St. Petersburg: The Optimist Club of South St. Petersburg is a new club which is actively seeking members. Anyone with a desire to help kids may join. The club meets on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the Center

Phoenix Enterprise Group Inc.

The Phoenix Enterprise Group, Inc., located at 2120 9th Street South, is a nonprofit 501 c 3 organization committed to the revitalization of the Bartlett Park neighborhood. The Phoenix concept of building a better neighborhood includes: 1) improving existing housing stock; 2) constructing infill housing; and 3) guiding residents in the financial and home ownership skills required to improve or purchase their home.

Boundaries

11th to 22nd Avenues South and 4th to 9th Streets South.