Norma Lloyd Park

The Norma Lloyd Park Project is the centerpiece of the CCRA’s activities in the district. It is projected to be 25+ acres. This projected $10 million project will improve the existing facilities at the current Norma Lloyd Park, expand Lazier Field (an under-equipped, but very well-used football field), and add impressive site improvements to the surrounding campus. Park plans include a splash park, a multi-purpose soccer field, open air amphitheatre, basketball courts, park pavilion, walking trails, picnic areas, and newly constructed community center.

Construction began in the summer of 2007 with the initiation of construction of a concession stand/press box. The CCRA in partnership with the city of Bradenton has received two $200,000 FRDP grants from the State of Florida. This park improvement project is an exciting development for the district—a good park is an incredible asset for any neighborhood, and the facilities this park will boast once completed will provide a pleasant, attractive, and well-equipped gathering place for the community. This project will serve as an example to public and private partnerships with participation from the State of Florida, Manatee County, City of Bradenton, Central CRA, United Community Center, and Just for Girls Inc.

Financial investments made in the 2009/2010 fiscal year brought the completion of Phases I and II of the Norma Lloyd Park facility. Phase II elements included a lighted multi-purpose soccer field, refurbished baseball fields funded by the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays, a parking lot, landscaping, basketball courts, pocket playground, a walking bridge to connect the north and south sides of the park, walking trails and exercise stations, new fencing, and a brand new 13th Avenue Dream Center with state of the art technology center, gymnasium, and classrooms.

In the 2009/2010 fiscal year, the CCRA provided $1.3 million in direct funding to the Norma Lloyd Park project. That includes its commitment to match funding from the State of Florida – a decision that helped the project leverage a total of $6 million of support from various sources. The total CCRA commitment to the $6 million, 20-acre project to date is $2.76 million.