Pinellas Park, FL

Covering 15 square miles in central Pinellas County on Florida's west coast, Pinellas Park is home to a growing population of nearly 47,500 residents. Since incorporating in 1959, Pinellas Park has quickly transformed itself from a small agricultural town to a booming regional business hub, with more than 3,300 businesses operating within its city limits.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

More than 3,300 businesses are located within Pinellas Park's city limits. Construction and health care are the most common industries. The cost of living in Pinellas Park is below the national average.

Many major employers are located within Pinellas Park, such as Cardinal Health (R.P. Scherer), Environmental Technologies, GA Food Services, Maxxim Medical, Sam's Club/Wal-Mart, Transitions Optical and Ven-Tel Plastics.

Many Pinellas Park employees commute to the neighboring Gateway and St. Petersburg communities for work. Some of the region's top employers include Raymond James and Associates, Home Shopping Network, Jabil Circuit, GTE Directories, Compulink Cable Assemblies, Smith Industries, Publix Supermarket, AmSouth Bank, St. Petersburg College, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) and Eva-Tone.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Pinellas Park has a mostly urban population. Neighborhoods in Pinellas Park include Bonnie Bay, Bonnie Glynn, Country Haven, Cross Bayou (Cross Bayou Estates), Golden Gate Mobile Home Park and Villas of Bonnie Bay neighborhood. Bonnie Bay is the most densely populated neighborhood of Pinellas Park.

Neighborhoods and districts of Pinellas Park accommodate approximately 22,000 houses, out of which nearly 20,000 are occupied. Of the occupied houses, around 15,000 are owner-occupied while renters occupy around 5,000 houses.

FAMILY FUN

Proximity to the Tampa/St. Petersburg area means that there is plenty to do in Pinellas Park.

• Country in the Park: For nearly 20 years, Pinellas Park has been well known for its Country in the Park celebration. The day-long free event features arts and crafts, NASCAR displays, a festival-style concert, rides and food. Entry to the festival and parking are free.
• Pride in the Park is an annual neighborhood cleanup effort prior to the Country in the Park event that features a yearly Firefighters Chili Cook-off.
• Monday Market in the Park: At Town Square Plaza Park, the free market features locally grown produce, arts and crafts, food and live entertainment.
• Spring Fling: Students from the School for the Arts present dance, vocal, instrumental and visual arts projects in an annual performance. The schedule varies.
• Bonsai Koi Ponds: This is a water-themed amusement park with slides and campgrounds.
• Freedom Lake Park is a center of activity in Pinellas Park. The 40-acre location features picnic areas and walking trails as well as a fitness center and playgrounds. The Freedom Lake Nature Center can be found within the park. A community garden was recently added where residents can rent a plot of land to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers. The gardens even have access for disabled gardeners. Another recent addition is the dog park, featuring exercise space and watering holes. Freedom Lake Park hosts a weekly Sunday BluesJam. The park is well known for its Korean War Memorial, which was dedicated in 2003. A huge flag memorial is also in place, in honor of all veterans.
• The Pinellas Park Historical Society sponsors a small museum at its headquarters dedicated to the preservation of city-related documents, photos, records and artifacts. The museum is open daily for self-guided tours.
• The Broderick Recreation Center can be found in Broderick Park. Center facilities include a fitness center, computer room, game room, an arts and crafts room, and an outdoor fitness trail. Broderick Park also has covered pavilions, ball fields and two playground areas.
• Dr. Edward J. Lurie Equestrian Park: This 10-acre site is a designated open riding area with a small corral on the premises.

EDUCATION

• St. Petersburg College: This public university offers associate's and bachelor's degrees at over 10 campuses in Pinellas County.
• Cortiva Institute-Humanities Center School of Massage: The school has centers all over the United States. Its Pinellas Park campus offers a variety of massage programs.
• ITT Technical Institute: This private college offers an education in information technology, electronics, drafting and design, and criminal justice.

FUN FACTS

• The City of Pinellas Park has a unique program in place to help residents in need. The Pinellas Park Angel Fund offers financial assistance, including childcare costs and rent or mortgage payment. Residents can make tax-deductible donations in several ways, including automatic contributions when paying utility bills.
• Another unique program is the City of Pinellas Park Apple Program. Started in 2004, the Apple Program aims to help residents understand the workings of city government and provide an inside look at various governmental departments and operations. In turn, graduates of the program are encouraged to serve on the city's volunteer boards and commissions.
• The Skyview Teen Center features the Youth Arts Corps program, which brings free arts and job training to middle- and high school-age residents of Pinellas Park.

LOCAL MEDIA

Local radio stations include:

• WMGG 820 AM - Spanish language
• WTIS 1110 AM - religious
• WWBA 1040 AM - news, talk
• WFLA 970 AM - news, talk
• WDAE 620 AM - sports
• WSSR 95.7 FM - urban, hip-hop
• WYUU 92.5 FM - country
• WRBQ-FM 104.7 FM - oldies
• WBBY 107.3 FM - classic hits
• WXTB 97.9 FM - rock
• WPOI 101.5 FM - '80s Rock
• WDUV 105.5 FM - easy listening
• WFLZ-FM 93.3 FM - Top 40

Local television stations include:

• W33CC Channel 33
• WARP-CA Channel 20
• WXAX-LP Channel 26
• WTSP Channel 10
• WSPF-CA Channel 35
• WEDU Channel 3
• W36CO Channel 36
• WTOG Channel 44
• WXPX Channel 66
• WFLA Channel 8
• WCLF Channel 22
• WTVT Channel 13
• WTAM-LP Channel 6
• WSVT-LP Channel 18

Local publications include:

• St. Petersburg Times
• Pinellas Park Beacon