Neighborhood Partnership	Modified: Feb 22, 2008 06:11 PM

Shore Acres

Amenities/character/etc.

Besides the beautiful waterfront view and exquisite homes, the area has some niceties to offer. There is a fire station on the island which serves Shore Acres and its neighbors-Snell Isle and Venetian Isles. We have our own small shopping area with a food market, butcher, dry cleaners and more. The island has two churches - Lutheran Church of the Cross and Northeast Presbyterian. Just over the Snell Isle Bridge is St. Thomas Episcopal and St. Raphael Catholic Church.

Shore Acres school district encompasses Shore Acres Elementary, Riviera Middle School and Northeast High School. Toddler care is available at the recreation center and the Lutheran Church of the Cross. Also, Shore Acres has a top notch head start program. Private schools are offered at Lutheran Church of the Cross, St. Thomas and St. Raphael.

Architectural

Shore Acres is a tropical waterfront community, in northeast St. Petersburg, only minutes from downtown and easy access to Tampa. This beautiful island offers something for everyone.

There is a wide range of home prices in Shore Acres from modest home of masonry blocks to multi- level waterfront estates on exclusive Bayshore Boulevard. There is a mix of first time homeowners, young families and retirees all living on the island. The area has approximately 2,300 households and many of the homes in the area have been remodeled and updated with modern exteriors and interiors. Lush landscape abounds in this area due to low cost city reclaimed water that is available.

History

Shore Acres was an area of pine woods, marsh and palmetto. The earliest plat map was filed March 1923. In 1925, Shore Acres Properties Inc. platted the overlook section with streets named after states. Nathaniel J. Upham, a developer from Duluth, Minnesota, began to sell tracts of land in the 1950s. The first large scale development was 350 homes around Butterfly Lake followed by Waterfront Estates, Venetian Isles and Ponderosa Shores. Ponderosa Shores was built partially on the site of an old golf course. By 1960, a 10 foot high map, long since gone, was erected at the Shore Acres Bridge as one crossed the bridge from Snell Isle. By 1964, the area was full of little streets and cul-de-sacs. The Postmaster asked City Council to rename some of the streets. Frankfort Street NE was renamed Venetian Boulevard NE.

Organizations/programs

At the heart of the neighborhood is Shore Acres Recreation Center. The center offers classes in computers (computer room), karate, step aerobics and more. Two newly rebuilt pools including a kiddy pool (perfect for toddlers) offer a safe, cool retreat in the summer.

Shore Acres is also home to some of the City's nicest neighborhood parks. Denver Park has four lighted tennis courts, baseball field, basketball court and shaded playground area. The playground is a favorite of moms and kids to meet and play together. Our newest park is a waterfront play area next to the fire station, featuring the latest in playground equipment and a great place to take the children and the grandchildren to fish. Puryear Park has five lighted basketball courts, sand volleyball pit, eight lighted tennis courts, one baseball field and a walking trail around the park. In addition, golfers can enjoy nearby public Mangrove Bay and Cypress Links golf course facilities and the private Snell Isle Vinoy course. Baseball enthusiasts will enjoy the new fields on 62nd Avenue NE adjacent to the Mangrove Bay Golf Course.

Boating and fishing enthusiasts will love this waterfront community. An expansive network of canals gives boat owners quick access to Tampa Bay. The nature preserve on the northwest corner of the island is a great place to find snook and redfish. Weedon Island Preserve is just minutes away for a scenic kayak and canoe trips and a brand new fishing pier.

Neighborhood grant projects

Shore Acres received several grants. They include: a computer lab at the Shore Acres Recreation Center, beautification projects, signage projects and a survey for long range neighborhood planning.

Boundaries

All land North of Smacks Bayou and Snell Isle Bridge, South of 62nd Avenue NE, west of Venetian Isles subdivision or the waters of Tampa Bay, east of Placido Bayou between and including 45th Avenue NE through 62nd Avenue NE, east of Shore Acres Boulevard including all addresses on Shore Acres Boulevard and Overlook Drive NE.