COMMUNITY PARTNER Stay connected to All Things Good in the Burg by subscribing today Since I Love the Burg launched in May of 2009 “It’s just a very nice place right here in the middle of town.” Renovations are planned to make this park even nicer “I think the park is just fantastic for anybody that wants to come by and it’s a stress reliever you can exercise and get in the pines and everything.” Matt Packett spends a lot of time at Azalea Park with his dog and comes here to relax like many others It’s a central spot in Crawfordville many neighbors use daily which is why renovations are coming Wakulla County received a $200 thousand dollar grant from DEP for improvements to the park These renovations include new ADA compliant bathrooms Michelle Metcalf says the county will put in a match for $200 thousand dollars “I think it’s really going to help with getting people out getting people active and getting their children out and active so we’re very excited about these projects.” The rubberized trail in the park will also be replaced This funding comes from another $200 thousand dollars from the DEP from their Trail Go Program Metcalf says the trail has been here for about eight years where the trailer is and we want to make it even and safe for all of our citizens that use it.” The park had some other enhancements added recently.In March I talked about the workout equipment that was installed Packett: “I walk in the park every day and you wouldn’t believe what that segment did because people started coming out using it like I’ve never seen before so people are ready for it.” Packett says after seeing how excited neighbors were about the park’s last addition he knows these renovations will be something to look forward to it does them good it does your pets good and what a wonderful park it is so improvements are done I think it’ll enhance it so much better.” The county says the projects are expected to start early 2025 Report a typo We cover stories making an impact in Crawfordville. 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Click here and tell us what we should be covering in your neighborhood Henniker students were tasked with representing Azalea park and what it means to them through illustrations now on display at the Tucker Free Library This piece is called “The River and Bridge.” Tucker Free Library—courtesy Henniker students were tasked with representing Azalea park and what it means to them through illustrations that now hang in the Tucker Free Library Tucker Free Library—courtesy Henniker students were tasked with representing Azalea park and what it means to them through illustrations that now hang in the Tucker Free Library Susan Adams stands in the foreground watching Kay Reynolds hang up artwork fifth and sixth grade students at the Henniker Community School studied the art of illustration They learned about the works of Helen Oxenbury and Shel Silverstein to gather knowledge about ink style the students took a walking field trip down through Azalea Park to gather inspiration for their next art project Susan Adams of the Azalea Park Committee talked to the students about the park’s history and its plans for the future The students were tasked with representing the park and what it means to them through their illustrations When Adams heard of the new art gallery at the Tucker Free Library she reached out to library director Lynn Piotrowicz see if there was space for the 80 pieces generated by the student illustrates the natural beauty of the park The student art exhibition opened at the Tucker Free Library Gallery on Jan in the gallery on the main floor of the library “We are so happy to have this large display,” Piotrowicz added “It is exactly what we imagined would happen if we made this space available to the creative entities in Henniker.” you agree with our use of cookies to personalize your experience measure ads and monitor how our site works to improve it for our users Save the date for March 8, when Azalea Park comes alive with fun and excitement from 2 p.m Last year's hurricane forced organizers to push back the popular West St The extra time let them pack even more entertainment and activities into the schedule "This festival was born out of a desire to create a successful community gathering outside of downtown St. Pete. We wanted to bring together neighborhoods, nonprofits, small businesses, families, and even our four-legged friends. It's about celebrating what makes our city special — our people,” said Aron Bryce to ilovetheburg.com Food lovers can enjoy dishes from Shiso Crispy and Pipo's Original Cuban Cafe An exciting silent auction will showcase local items with the money raised going to neighborhood charities The music starts with Greg Roy & the Pressure Band Kids will have a blast at the balloon twisting and face painting areas adds excitement to the Kid's Corner's mix of fun activities Stop by to see talented artists create new works on the spot You'll have a chance to buy their pieces to take home Help support the community by bringing donations for local charities This tradition has brought people together at past events The Council of Neighborhood Associations helps bring together residents and businesses for this special celebration Recent storms have made the community even stronger More details about parking and directions coming soon Look for an bigger lineup of local food vendors and craftspeople After closing three weeks ago following a series of massively destructive storms, some Asheville parks are ready to safely welcome community members back to explore, connect, and discover. As of this morning, Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) crews have reopened 32 parks and continue to clear debris and take other actions to open more locations Water for drinking fountains has been shut off Do not drink water from any drinking fountains until the City of Asheville lifts all boil water advisories and notices City officials stress that if a park is listed as closed, everyone should stay away from that location. Though some spaces look safe, there may be broken equipment, sinkholes, displaced wildlife, or other “unseen” dangers. Visit ashevillenc.gov/parks for the most up-to-date list of open parks and recreation facilities “We realize how much these spaces mean to many people’s daily routines but please do not go into areas that are closed and create unnecessarily unsafe situations for our staff and first responders still doing critical work to repair our city,” says APR Director D “Our team lives in this community and has experienced loss and grief alongside hope and resilience just like so many of our neighbors but Asheville is rebounding from a once-in-a-generation challenge as only we can – by showing compassion A timeline for more in-depth assessments of the city’s 58 parks and nine community centers is not yet available but APR crews plan to work quickly to reopen additional parks that experienced minor damage Parks with more substantial destruction are closed indefinitely including all riverfront parks and greenways Riverside Cemetery is closed except to those attending funeral services. Several large trees and other obstructions remain within the cemetery, presenting safety concerns. If a loved one is interred at Riverside, please reach out to parks@ashevillenc.gov or (828) 259-5800 with any specific questions but the department’s team of recreation experts plan to announce pop-up activities and events including a Halloween celebration and community center rentals are also canceled until further notice Event producers working with the City of Asheville’s Office of Special Events should reach out to their representative with questions about previously permitted events For the most up-to-date list, visit ashevillenc.gov/parks Driven by the promise that Asheville is a better and safer place when everyone from infants to retirees has the opportunity to be supported Asheville Parks & Recreation manages a unique collection of public parks and open spaces throughout the city in a system that also includes full-complex recreation centers and community centers that offer a variety of wellness- and culture-related programs for Ashevillians of all ages With 10 miles of paved greenways and numerous natural surface trails its complete portfolio acts as the foundation of a vibrant hub for the people of Asheville to connect with their neighbors and explore the natural beauty of a livable and walkable city For latest updates, sign up for Asheville Parks & Recreation’s monthly newsletter, follow the department on Facebook (@aprca) and Instagram (@ashevilleparksandrecreation), or visit  www.ashevillenc.gov/parks Roberto Clemente spent 18 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates where he was named a 15-time All-Star and earned two World Series championship titles More than just an outstanding baseball player who would go on to become the first player from the Caribbean and Latin America to be named to the National Baseball Hall of Fame Clemente was also heavily focused on supporting communities in need Clemente tragically died in a plane crash while taking emergency relief goods to earthquake survivors in Nicaragua but today his inspiring story can be felt in communities all around the world – including Azalea Park Little League in Orlando a mural honoring Clemente was vandalized at the local league’s park devastating the Little Leaguers® and their community the loss of the mural did not last for long and the meaning behind it stood stronger than ever before who had just stepped down from serving as the League President in hopes of continuing his education “I got a phone call from one of the coaches and he was crying That is how much that first Roberto Clemente mural meant to us,” said Mr but Roberto’s gone.’ Someone painted over the entire mural in black the neighborhood was furious and wanted answers I looked at the situation and I saw it as an opportunity After weeks of the community coming together to rally resources and funds the Azalea Park LL Board of Directors was able to commission New York artists Hector “Nicer” Nazario and Wilfredo Felciano to fly down and paint the new mural and it was time to bring the community together to celebrate everyone’s efforts Lugo “People are still talking about that party which brought about 300 to 400 people to the park and a famous DJ from Brooklyn came down and surprised all of us Everyone was taking pictures with the artists as they painted who received a proclamation from former Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs for his efforts and the Azalea Park community welcomed the new mural honoring the late Roberto Clemente at the Azalea Park Little League field bringing happiness and hope back to the neighborhood my friends and I sat around just trying to think of ways to make the park better and give it a makeover without paying too much money We had this black wall at the park that we kept staring at and we finally realized that if we painted something special there it would get everyone’s attention,” said Mr “We wanted to give the kids pride and show them that they can follow their dreams and make it beyond Azalea Park The mural was our way of giving back to the entire community We wanted to give hope and inspiration to everyone in the community The kids see it as their good luck charm.”   the mural remains and continues to act as a reminder to all who see it of the importance of community “We have some kids in our league and community who might not be growing up in the best scenarios They might not have a childhood full of support and love they do have that love and they have not only their coaches to mentor them which gives them that sense of hope they might be looking for,” said Mr “The league and the community go together so perfectly because we all want that feeling of hope Our league makes a difference in the community and the community makes a difference in us and looks after us I was cutting the grass at the fields early in the morning and I had a woman who lived near the field offer me a glass of cold water decided the Little Leaguers and Azalea Park community could use a little more inspiration Now at the Azalea Park LL field is a mural of MLB Hall of Famer Derek Jeter Lugo raised money and recruited Azalea Park LL parent Neysa Milan Santiago to paint a giant mural of Roberto Clemente at a nearby middle school with hopes that it would inspire kids outside of the Little League program the murals are more than just a form of art to spruce up a space they are a way to teach life lessons to everyone within the community “I believe in everything Roberto Clemente used to say,” said Mr ‘anytime you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t then you are wasting your time on Earth.’ In the Azalea Park neighborhood we need to help each other and give each other hope.”   Azalea Park Little League is celebrating its 64th anniversary as a program in 2024 with the help of the Roberto Clemente Foundation and volunteers of Azalea Park Little League will be handing out 50 free bicycles to Little Leaguers at the end of the month Clemente’s legacy can be felt in communities around the world and each year a Major League Baseball player is presented with the Roberto Clemente Award (previously the Commissioner’s Award) based on someone who best exemplifies the game of baseball and the individual’s contribution to his team a number of former Little Leaguers have gone on to receive the award SEE MORE ALUMNI Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInCAIRO (WCTV) - Two Attapulgus men are behind bars in connection to a double homicide that occurred in Cairo near Azalea Park in July Police said 40-year-old William Phillip Mosely and 38-year-old Willie Cooper are both charged with two counts of malice murder in the death of Heather Haywood and James Lamar Sherman Both victims were found dead near 7th Avenue NW and 4th Street NW at Azalea Park on July 30 after midnight Our sister station WALB reported Sherman was found suffering from gunshot wounds at a home that day He was then taken to a local hospital by EMS where police said he died Officers found Haywood dead in Azalea Park Haywood’s family described her as a sweet person and said she would do anything for her family She leaves behind two sons and a daughter who had just given birth six weeks before Haywood’s death This is an active and ongoing investigation Anyone with information should contact Cairo Police at 229-378-3096 To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook and X (Twitter) Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Write us here Please include the article’s headline in your message Keep up with all the biggest headlines on the WCTV News app. Click here to download it now Pete Rising in this year\u2019s Best of the Bay Awards By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies. We use cookies to provide you with a great experience and to help our website run effectively. Learn more A 1,000-unit apartment community proposed for west St Pete is one step closer to reality after Pinellas County approved funding for the construction of the project which will contain 300 units for workforce housing Pinellas County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved $5.25 million for the construction of the first phase of Azalea Gateway set to rise at 1501 72nd Street North near Azalea Park The approved county funds are contingent upon the City of St Pete approving an additional $6 million for phase one construction St Pete City Council is expected to vote on the funding request in February consists of 340 apartments with 51 units set aside for households earning up to 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and 51 units reserved for households earning up to 120% of AMI The units are required to remain affordable for at least 50 years Azalea Gateway will contain 1,000 apartments making the project among the largest public-private housing projects in the history of St The project will also contain 1,800 parking spaces across all three phases has partnered with Boca Raton-based Falcone Group and Tampa-based Metro Development Group to assist with the development of the new apartment complex The first phase of Azalea Gateway will consist of two U-shaped buildings and a single L-shaped building The second phase will be identical to the first phase with a green park space between the two L-shaped buildings.  Site plan of Azalea Gateway | ARC3 Architecture While there isn't a set construction commencement date each phase will take approximately two years to complete The entire project is expected to wrap up in 2030 St. Pete-based ARC3 Architecture, Clearwater-based Gulf Coast Consulting, and global engineering firm Stantec are on the development team The property has been subject to controversy over the years due to the site’s environmental issues incurred contamination from manufacturing operations dating back to the 1950s The property’s soil contamination has been addressed however groundwater remediation at the site has been ongoing since 2014 An aerial of Azalea Gateway | ARC3 Architecture Want to be the first to know what’s coming soon to the Sunshine City Sign up to receive the latest news straight to your inbox Contact - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy© 2024 St ZOM Living, one of the nation’s leading multifamily development firms, has acquired approximately 19.5 acres of land for the development of Azalea at the Park “With the acquisition of this prime piece of land ZOM Living furthers its investment in North Carolina’s active real estate market which continues to experience exponential growth today Senior Vice President of the Carolinas for ZOM Living “We remain focused on building in neighborhoods that are thriving and growing such as the Town of Cary Azalea at the Park will deliver luxury rental housing combined with lifestyle-driven amenities to meet the growing demand for an elevated apartment living experience in North Carolina.” Azalea at the Park will feature units including studios two- and three-bedroom apartments – all ranging from 575 to 1,250 square feet in size The townhomes will feature three bedrooms and three bathrooms in a spacious 1,500 square foot layout all with directly accessible attached garages Residents will enjoy an upscale offering of amenities including 15,000 square feet of community gathering space a 10,000-square-foot clubhouse and direct access to Morris Branch Greenway Azalea at the Park is conveniently situated within walking distance to numerous outdoor destinations such as a brand-new YMCA and it’s directly across the street from Carpenter Fire Station Neighborhood Park vibrant 20-acre park that includes paved trails An active developer in the North Carolina market a new luxury rental community in Durham consisting of 248 luxury apartments and featuring upscale amenities the firm also delivered the high-design multifamily property Hazel SouthPark midrise development with 203 apartment homes and 14,000 square feet of retail space in Charlotte’s sophisticated and desirable neighborhood of SouthPark Azalea at the Park is a short distance away from Research Triangle Park one of the leading research and development districts in the world featuring over 22 million square-feet of office and lab space The 900 – acre headquarters of SAS Institute is also located within a few miles of Azalea at the Park providing thousands of jobs to residents of Cary some of the nation’s top hospitals and health networks are based within the metro area The multifamily development will be located within a top-tier school district as the local elementary school are highly ranked for their academic excellence by U.S News World Report UNC – Chapel Hill and North Carolina State are also within close proximity adding to the area’s educational excellence Cary is one of the most desirable suburbs within the Raleigh area and is ranked among the best places to live and work The Raleigh and Durham metro area is one of the fastest growing markets in the nation Raleigh saw the third highest annual growth rate as of Q4 2023 and total employment in Raleigh is 11% higher than its pre-pandemic peak The town of Cary is also home to over 80 miles of paved trails and greenways and is a short drive from several different sporting and concert venues The site’s central location between Durham Raleigh and Chapel Hill will allow residents direct access to those sought-after communities as well as the Raleigh Durham International Airport ORANGE COUNTY – A passenger was killed early Friday in Orlando when the driver of an Acura MDX crashed into a wall The fatal single-vehicle wreck happened around 4:30 a.m on Goldenrod Road at Silver Pointe Boulevard near Curry Ford Road in Azalea Park The FHP said a 35-year-old Orlando man was driving the Acura north on Goldenrod Road and failed to negotiate a curve struck a community entrance wall and overturned The driver was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center His passenger was taken to AdventHealth East Orlando and was pronounced dead Northbound lanes of Goldenrod Road are slow in the area Copyright 2025 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009 When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby TV Listings Email Newsletters RSS Feeds Contests and Rules Contact Us / Follow on Social Media Careers at WKMG Closed Captioning / Audio Description Public File Current EEO Report Terms of Use Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info FCC Applications EEO Report Disability Assistance Copyright © 2025 ClickOrlando.com is managed by Graham Digital and published by Graham Media Group It’s called the Story Walk it’s an event where booths are set up with people in costumes “It’s a good way to encourage someone to come out walk and then read the story and have a good time with your family.” the Director of the Wakulla County Library says it’s a fun tradition they’ve been doing for 9 years “It’s an opportunity or us to showcase that we’re more than just books providing this free event for our for our members and our citizens.” 42 local groups are participating and thousands of people came last year Andy Riddle is apart of Friends of the Wakulla Library and says this event promotes reading “Promoting the library is going to promote literacy but it is also promoting people to come into the library realize it’s not just books there’s audiobooks there’s videos there’s other ways that you can learn.” Promoting reading is more important than ever right now studies show that this impacts their economic stability 66% of fourth graders are below reading proficiency literacy statistics and data from The National Literacy Institute (2024) Riddle says this event shares stories in a fun and interactive way “It’s a chance for adults to live vicariously through kids watching the smiles watching the costumes having fun with you.” Year round story boards are set up in Azalea park and they switch them out every so often Oaks says they’re looking forward to seeing everyone there “It’s an opportunity for everyone to come out and just learn about our community partners and what they’re doing in our community.” This is a free event that’s safe for families — Stormy weather pushing into Green Country didn’t stop more than 100 students from getting outside 2 News visited Honor Heights Park to see how the group is championing their community it was a full day’s work for the Rougher Alternative Academy “I come out here with my little brother,” said Payden Armstrong Payden Armstrong is a 10th grader who spends plenty of time at Honor Heights Park during the year “Just walk around the lake,” said Armstrong was a first with a focus on cleaning up at the park “Shows the Muskogee community that there are people willing to help out here,” said Armstrong Armstrong and his classmates are making sure the blooms shines for the popular Azalea Festival “Getting this place looking good because there’s a lot of trash out here and a lot of sticks and stuff so we just want it looking good,” said Armstrong It was all hands on deck with about 106 students basically the whole Roughers Alternative Academy With thousands heading to the park for the month-long festival Assistant Operations Manager Michelle Olshen says it showcases the park “It’s really something that we’re really proud of,” said Michelle Olshen She says it also shines a light on the student’s willingness to help “Just being able to look out and not see trees or limbs falling down here it just enhances the beauty of the park,” said Olshen Principal Lisa Charboneau says it’s a way to teacher her students a lesson outside of the classroom and we are trying to build a different kind of a student,” said Lisa Charboneau “A student that is a good citizen that when they leave us they are better than when they came.” “We want them to be proud to be from Muskogee and to have a little piece of their work on display here," she said park officials say their crews will clean up again next week if need be (WLOS) — The City of Asheville provided an update on the reopening of parks and greenways damaged by Helene the east side of Carrier Park will be opening up along with the entire French Broad River Greenway in that area Riverbend Park will also reopen along with some trails and disc golf at Richmond Hill Park The west side of Carrier Park including the velodrome and everything inside will remain closed due to substantial flood damage ASK 13: WHEN WILL VOLUNTEERS BE ABLE TO HELP WITH PARK CLEANUPS IN HENDERSON COUNTY? Parks along the Swannanoa River in East Asheville also remain closed including the John B N.C.— The WRAL Azalea Gardens have been open since the 1950s when a thousand colorful azalea bushes were planted outside the WRAL studio WRAL's gardens have become a popular springtime destination near downtown Raleigh with thousands of visitors coming for picnics and walks The azalea gardens are even bigger than many realize lunch tables and hidden artwork and sculptures scattered among the maze of flowers and trees So if you want to visit the WRAL Azalea Gardens this season here's everything you need to know – how to visit Unfortunately, three days before the slated dedication of the thousand delicate blossoms in spring of 1959, Raleigh experienced "three straight nights of cold," according to the history of the gardens When Capitol Broadcasting Company's corporate secretary Scottie Stephenson arrived to work in the morning bathing the azaleas in warm water to keep them alive When asked why he went to such lengths to create the gardens "I did it because I knew it would be beautiful." An expansion to the gardens opened to the public on April 19 It includes a bridge and even more flowers you never know who you'll see in the gardens Sometimes you'll run into a beaming couple getting married you may see the Easter Bunny himself hopping through the trees The WRAL Azalea Gardens are located behind the WRAL Studios at the intersection of Western Boulevard and Avent Ferry Road just across the street from North Carolina State University and can also be accessed from Centennial Parkway The physical address is 2619 Western Blvd. The WRAL Azalea Gardens are open seven days a week Plenty of free parking is available directly across from the garden entrance Some paths are paved and wheelchair accessible There are public restrooms available just inside the building at WRAL Studios Spring and fall are the best times to see the azaleas in bloom but we have many other flowers and plants in bloom during the summer as well The blooms are most vivid beginning in late March through April and May The best time of day to visit is before lunchtime Plant and flower lovers will find a large variety of colorful blooms Variegated Tree Ivy and Variegated Confederate Jasmine Are you looking for a beautiful and natural outdoor wedding venue in Raleigh Weddings are hosted in the WRAL Azalea Gardens on weekends from the first weekend in April through the second weekend in September Reservations may be made for either a 2 p.m The venue only hosts ceremonies and not receptions Click here to check the availability of the venue and learn more details. When Recreation Park opened Rather than simply embrace nature or serve as community gathering spots these parks acted as recreation facilities with an emphasis on activities the rise of personal automobiles among the middle class led to the creation of tourist camps an affordable accommodation for families and individuals who needed a temporary place of lodging on their road trip to a final vacation destination early tourist camps were little more than campgrounds where tourists could pitch tents or park their cars to sleep in These camps usually provided toilets and bathing facilities – and Asheville’s first tourist camp was established by city government in 1921 on a site that originally served as a training camp for civilian women who worked for the Army during World War I Asheville Board of Trade (now known as Asheville Chamber of Commerce) built a swimming pool and mess hall while at least 50 tents were erected to accommodate women attending the training camp the City of Asheville installed a dance floor and converted the former mess hall into a skating rink for enjoyment by both locals and tourists at Asheville Tourist Camp the area that eventually became Recreation Park Events hosted that summer and fall included a swimming gala with an “exhibit of fancy diving” and a Labor Day dance Asheville City Commission suggested construction of a concrete bridge and dam over the Swannanoa River at the tourist camp to replace a wooden bridge The wooden bridge was constructed in 1887 to access the city’s municipal waterworks which closed around 1915 and sustained considerable damage in the Flood of 1916 The new dam was used to supply hydroelectric power to Asheville Tourist Camp and created the 56-acre Lake Craig a major attraction at the park named for Asheville resident and former North Carolina Governor Locke Craig The park catered more directly to city residents by this time and became known exclusively as Recreation Park in 1925 The tourist camp shuttered the next year and that area became picnic grounds the city parks commission added a shooting range A municipal zoo also opened in the park with snakes Betsy the Elephant joined the zoo around 1926 attracting many visitors until she was sold in 1943 when the park shut down during World War II Olympic swimmer Eleanor Coleman was hired in 1926 to operate a new pool that pumped in water from the Swannanoa River A two-story bathhouse was also constructed using material from the recently-demolished 1892 Asheville City Hall building Recreation Park adopted the slogan “Asheville’s Playground,” but in an era of government-mandated segregation it was a whites-only facility even though it was funded by all taxpayers A swimming pool for Black community members next to Mountain Street School opened around 1916 but the city’s public parks were primarily off limits to Black families Asheville Parks Commission announced Black residents could visit the zoo on Thursday afternoons but the rest of Recreation Park remained off limits In 1932, E.W. Pearson and Buncombe County District Agricultural Fair Association opened a park for Black people in the Shiloh community using private contributions Construction on a second municipal pool for white residents in Malvern Hills Park began in 1934 using public funds. City Council eventually funded building a public pool in Walton Street Park for the city’s sizable Black population in 1947 Black community members were specifically barred from owning land in the Beverly Hills neighborhood adjacent to Recreation Park until 1948 when the U.S Supreme Court struck down the ability to use this method of segregation The park remained a popular destination throughout the Great Depression adding pony rides and additional amusements and hosting swim meets and dances Federal New Deal funds were used to rebuild the skating rink and construct barracks for workers (the park generally operated on a May-September schedule) Four outdoor bowling lanes opened near the swimming pool in 1940 Following the end of World War II the park was extensively renovated with a new pool Recreation Park remained a popular location for city-wide events such as Aquaganza a 1942 fundraiser that featured 100 dancers and divers and an outdoor amphitheater that seated 2,000 people A fire destroyed the second story of the bathhouse in 1948 The 1950s saw new tables and outdoor firepits the Science Circus Arena for physics-fueled “magic shows,” and a miniature passenger train donated by the Kiwanis Club that featured a tunnel and open-top cars Henrietta the Elephant joined the zoo in 1959 as more than 1,000 people per week flocked to see exotic animals such as Central American birds and reptiles As maintenance and improvement of Walton Street Park lagged behind other public spaces, local Black activists requested the city make segregated facilities available to all residents. Citing ground-breaking examples of Asheville Municipal Golf Course and the Recreation Park zoo being made available to Black community members during certain times each week Brown in 1954 petitioned City Council to open various recreation facilities in the city to all residents including pools in Malvern Hills and Recreation parks Council responded that a decision should be postponed until the Supreme Court ruled on Brown v city government did not immediately integrate its public pools after the Supreme Court decisions on Brown vs Board of Education and related rulings were made in 1954 and 1955 Recreation Park’s pool was closed and filled with dirt in 1956 which Asheville Citizen-Times reported as “a step taken to avoid any possible racial clash.” The next year the pool and bathhouse was sold to the Asheville Jaycees They repaired the pool and reopened it as a membership club Since the Jaycees were not a public entity they were not required to comply with the Supreme Court order to open facilities to all community members separate fireworks displays were held at Recreation and Walton Street parks each Independence Day The 1968 presentation was described as “a rocket and bombshell fireworks display lasting about 45 minutes” with a shorter display scheduled at the same time at Walton Street Park Attempts at integration of Recreation Park’s pool continued through the 1960s including a July 1964 effort by members of Congress of Racial Equality Public facilities integrated in 1962 by fiat of the City Manager and Asheville Parks & Recreation (APR) opened a new Olympic-size swimming pool in the park in 1970 available to all residents followed by construction of a new bathhouse in 1974 the rest of the park’s attractions only operated seasonally from late spring to early fall The roller skating rink was converted to an ice skating rink in 1964 to extend operations throughout the year it was destroyed along with several rides and three buildings when suspected arsonists set fires in 1966 The fires led to more renovations including a new loop road around the park’s amusements and design continuity between new and old buildings visitors also enjoyed a tilt-a-whirl and small roller coaster installed by Biltmore Lions Club The zoo came under fire for its small cages with low ceilings and overall treatment of the animals in the 1970s Department of Agriculture recommended its closure in 1973 resulting in public calls to completely overhaul and modernize its operation Junior League of Asheville launched a campaign for a new children’s zoo and nature center with a $25,000 donation The Nature Society (now known as Friends of WNC Nature Center) formed in 1975 to educate the public about natural history and ecology of the Southern Appalachians pioneering the concept of zoos focused on native species The revamped and expanded nature center opened in 1977 as Buncombe County entered into a 24-year lease agreement on the property making it a separate entity from Recreation Park Saddled with a long list of deferred maintenance APR divested some operations in the 1970s including the former zoo and Lake Julian Park City government resumed management of WNC Nature Center in 2005 As a result of an agreement to combine water systems under the Asheville-Buncombe Water Authority Recreation Park’s operations were transferred to Buncombe County in 1981 county government made extensive renovations in 1995 and dubbed the project a “new pool.” Following dissolution of the joint water authority Recreation Park rejoined the APR system in 2005 and entertainment continued seasonally each summer through lease agreements with various operators but cultural shifts contributed to Recreation Park’s slow transformation from an amusement park to a regional park with lake access a dance hall (named Mama T’s for local historian Mitzi Tessier) Remaining amusement park features closed on Labor Day weekend in 2000 with the final operator referring to the park as “a poor man’s Disneyland.” During most of the previous century the park offered unique recreation experiences for area residents and played a role in Asheville’s historical challenges of desegregation Mama T’s is the final remnant of the park’s original vision; Lake Craig exists as a “dry lake” to improve flood capacity of John B Lewis Soccer Complex and mitigate upstream impacts from the Swannanoa River The circa 1930 merry-go-round shelter was removed in 2021 after significant damage resulting from a motor vehicle collision The concession stand and picnic shelters constructed in the 1960s offer a glimpse to Recreation Park’s heyday and the swimming pool remains a popular amenity during summer months The 1924 bridge is one of less than 10 concrete bridges built in the 1920s remaining in Buncombe County though the bridge deck was replaced and abutments repaired in 1986 and expanded gift shop and member services office No stranger to evolution in its more than 100 years Recreation Park may see significant enhancements and modifications soon APR is developing a strategic plan for Recreation Park and Azalea Park to best determine how these connected spaces can be maximized to serve the community Do you have photos or stories to share about Recreation Park? Please send them to cbubenik@ashevillenc.gov so APR can be inspired by the past as we plan our future 2024Brawny bucket trucks tramped through a St Petersburg debris site on a recent afternoon stopping in front of a worker assessing the haul held nearly 200 cubic yards of debris taken from city streets that morning where the truck was dropping off the rubbish is one of four disaster debris management sites in St At least 50 workers report each day to the site across from Azalea Park on the western side of the city sorting or compacting remnants of residents’ lives Debris is dumped at the Raytheon debris management site near Azalea Park on Nov [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]Officials stress the need for these staging areas to streamline cleanup after a major disaster like a hurricane But a lack of open land across Tampa Bay means these sites can end up next to neighborhoods where dust and soaked debris concern residents they require little environmental oversight the Tampa Bay Times toured one of these sites local governments select disaster debris management sites for preapproval by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection before hurricane season 1 thing that we try and iron out before an event ever takes place,” said Don Madio But after hurricanes Helene and Milton caused millions of cubic yards of debris — the most in Tampa Bay history — cities and counties scrambled to find additional space for cleanup operations Officials look for a few things when deciding on a storm trash area It should be close to the greatest amounts of damage a safe distance from bodies of water and other environmental features and large enough to house and manage the rubbish But finding a site big enough that ticks all those boxes is tricky in a region with little untouched open space The Raytheon area is the largest in the city is shown at the Raytheon debris management site near Azalea Park on Nov [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]Just over the fence of the staging area is the Pinellas Trail Tampa Bay residents have raised health concerns about debris sites close to homes in the past month residents say brown dust from a nearby storm trash site blankets their cars and yards daily They wonder what it could do to their health “Our A/C filters are brown,” said Kendra Marolf “It’s not that I don’t want it in my neighborhood — it’s just that why aren’t we mitigating the dust?” Marolf said Madio said he has heard complaints from residents across the city he got a call from Pinellas County Air Quality Control after the agency received several calls about the dust “We’re trying to mitigate it as much as possible,” Madio said Trucks spray the ground constantly to prevent dust from kicking up could only do so much to stop dust from stinging eyes Spotters in towers assess truck loads as they arrive and leave the staging area The agency announced after Milton that it would reimburse all debris cleanup over a 90-day period Petersburg alone debris hauling is expected to cost up to $70 million The city said it’s aiming for full reimbursement though cities and counties in Tampa Bay largely said they still expect to make the early December deadline the state approved a site extension for the Raytheon area through mid-January waiting to be pulverized by a grinder that looks like something out of a sci-fi movie trucks dropped off construction and household waste Those materials are sent to permitted landfills Electronics like TVs and computers were gathered in a pile Refrigerators were stacked like Jenga blocks An aerial drone view as debris is moved from a bull dozer into a Diamond Z grinder at the Raytheon debris management site [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]An aerial drone view as materials are dumped at the Raytheon debris site in St [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]Do these sites impact the environment?Storm garbage sitting on streets and sidewalks pose their own environmental threats polishes and solvents from household furniture and items can break down And while the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has guidance on where these staging areas should be to prevent environmental harm there’s no requirement for soil or groundwater testing for them said state guidance does not mention enforcement actions for debris sites that don’t comply with staging or disposal guidance “There’s almost an allowable amount of risk associated with it,” Cross said Madio said testing was done on the soil before crews arrived The state’s guidance recommends, but does not require, testing when possible leading to a patchwork of testing in the region Hillsborough County has surveyed the soil at two of its 14 sites Pasco County said sampling is done at sites before and after debris testing was done at its five non-paved areas The city of Tampa said contractors are responsible for testing Staging areas run by CrowderGulf eventually will be returned to the way they were before debris was hauled in Cross said that education for residents about the aftermath of disasters should be part of hurricane season preparations to keep contaminants away from possible floodwaters and to smooth the laborious cleanup “This is part of the conversation we need have around disaster preparedness and recovery,” Cross said “Often the environment becomes either an afterthought or an inconvenience and it needs to be something that’s integrated in a proactive way.” Materials are dumped at the Raytheon site in St. Petersburg on Nov. 22. [ DIRK SHADD | Times ]Michaela Mulligan a climate and environment reporter. Reach her at mmulligan@tampabay.com. ASHEVILLE — By Wednesday, Oct. 2, Brandon Mashburn was tired of sitting at home without power, water or internet so he headed out to Malvern Hills Park in West Asheville Mashburn saw the damage Tropical Storm Helene had caused to the tennis courts A tree had fallen on the fence surrounding the tennis courts He immediately went to work with a few others “It’s one of those things that communities came together and said ‘If nobody’s gonna do nothing about it,” Mashburn said Mashburn and others felt it was essential to clean up the damage because many residents have gone to parks despite road closures Mashburn has noticed an uptick in parents taking their children to Malvern Hills Park Many are trying to let their children release pent-up energy from sitting inside One of them is Kent Phillips and his wife Chrissy who took their 1-year-old son Sawyer to play on the swing set and ride down the slide Phillips said they are fortunate to have power but no water they still took Sawyer out for a slight sense of normalcy after Tropical Storm Helene swept through Asheville and Western North Carolina on Sept “It’s just nice to actually get in the car and drive somewhere and let him (Sawyer) get out of the house.” Gaskin said it’s helpful to have some parks available so kids can be kids She added that spending time at the park is routine for Jayden and Jacob because she only allows them to watch television or play video games for one hour a day But she is concerned about parents leaving their children unsupervised at parks “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Gaskin said some parks are inaccessible or have extensive damage Asheville Parks & Recreations Programs and Operations Manager Christo Bubenik said it still has not assessed all the damage to 58 parks and nine community centers He said it hasn’t because it is focused on providing access for emergency responders and utility crews and securing unsafe and impassable areas One example of the damage he gave was the bridge on Gashes Creek Road that Tropical Storm Helene destroyed He said that was the primary access to Recreation Park More: Buncombe deaths rise by 4, bring state to at least 73 dead community centers and specialized recreation facilities are closed until further notice He said Asheville Parks & Recreation will update the community through its website and social media as crews clean and repair locations Zachary Huber is a high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times and Hendersonville Times-News Email him at zhuber@gannett.com or follow him on X @zacharyahuber Download the NPS app to navigate the parks on the go I'm your neighborhood news reporter for Bainbridge GA (WTXL) — The Cairo Police Department is investigating a double homicide.According to police two people where shot.It happened around 12:54 a.m Officers responded to the area of 7th Avenue NW and 4th Street NW.Officers found a man shot at a house.The second person was found in Azalea Park.Investigators identified the victims as Heather Haywood and James Sherman Both were taken to the GBI Crime Lab where an autopsy will be conducted.This is still an active investigation Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Cairo Police Department at 229-3798-3096 After years of retooling plans for a 29-acre vacant industrial property in west St a new proposal has been filed to redevelop it into a massive 1,000-unit apartment community Landowner Porter Development, headed by Les Porter, and joint venture partners Falcone Group and Metro Development Group have submitted funding requests to the City of St Petersburg and Pinellas County for the project now called Azalea Gateway a proposed mixed-income multifamily project at 1501 72nd Street North and others have access to safe and affordable living options," Porter said to St The development group is requesting a $4.9 million contribution from the City of St Petersburg and $9.9 million from Pinellas County’s Penny for Pinellas funds to help construct phase one of the project Azalea Gateway would bring a total of 1,000 apartments which would make the project among the largest public-private housing projects in the history of St Porter Development proposes to construct 1000 apartments on a 29-acre site at 1501 72nd Street North in west St Porter said public-private partnerships are a critical part of the capital stack to make this project a reality "By financially supporting our efforts with Azalea Gateway we are working together to address the housing crises and ultimately will be adding 300 affordable homes for people in our community," Porter said The first and second phases of the project call for 320 units each including 96 affordable housing units per phase The third and final phase would add 360 units with 108 units allocated to affordable housing The affordable housing units for all three phases of Azalea Gateway will be evenly distributed among residents earning 80% and 120% of the area median income (AMI) The units are required to remain affordable for at least 30 years The first and second phases of Azalea Gateway call for 320 units each including 96 affordable housing units per phase | ARC3 Architecture The first phase of Azalea Gateway will encompass two U-shaped 124-unit buildings and a single L-shaped building with 72 units The second phase will be identical to the first phase with a green park space between the two L-shaped buildings.  the project will contain 1,174 parking spaces Each phase will take approximately two years to complete The development team includes St. Pete-based ARC3 Architecture, Clearwater-based Gulf Coast Consulting, and global engineering firm Stantec The city previously approved a site plan for a 1,058-unit apartment development at the property The recent changes to the plan are not substantial enough to require the development team to obtain a new site plan approval Petersburg’s Housing Development Manager Mark Van Lue The first and second phases of Azalea Gateway will each encompass two U-shaped 124-unit buildings and a single L-shaped building with 72 units | ARC3 Architecture The property has been subject to controversy over the years due to the site’s environmental contamination Defense contractor Raytheon purchased the property in 1995 but never fully developed the site due to pollution issues that led to legal action The site has been undergoing site rehabilitation since the 1990s in 2015 to the Commercial Development Company who sold the property six years later to Porter Development “[Site rehabilitation] efforts initially focused on removing contaminated soils and have since shifted to groundwater remediation,” said Brian Humphreys Public Information Specialist at Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) in an email to St “Results of these efforts continue to be submitted to DEP and show that the groundwater plume is shrinking and not migrating.” despite the existing environmental contamination development of the site may still be able to move forward but with appropriate remediation and planning sites such as these can be safely repurposed.” The 29-acre development site is situated east of Azalea Park and southwest of Tyrone Square Mall in west St A restrictive covenant recorded on December 19th 2023 outlines restrictions required to be followed by any group who decides to develop on the former Raytheon property Humphreys explains that “due to the nature of the restrictive covenant (which serves as an institutional control) occupants of the property will be barred from using the groundwater as a potable water source any development would need to be connected to municipal public drinking water system.” Additional restrictions are related to the handling of stormwater facilities and vapor intrusion mitigation According to the submitted funding requests Porter Development expects to break ground in early 2025 Construction of the first phase is estimated to cost roughly $104.58 million The $4.9 million and $9.9 million funding requests must go before the St Petersburg City Council and the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners where a new children's discovery garden will be installed Dorchester County Parks and Recreation Director Austin Zuniga presented a Power Point image to the Summerville Town Council of the giant turtle climbing apparatus planned for a new children's discovery garden at Azalea Park Turtle steppers are among the features Leadership Dorchester’s class of 2024 is bringing to a new children’s area at Azalea Park Mushroom steppers that foster balance and coordination will be among the featured playground art pieces at Azalea Park's new children's discovery garden Mushrooms sprout and turtles grow to unusual size at Azalea Park where Leadership Dorchester Class of 2024 is adding playground art and a children's discovery garden to the venerable Summerville location SUMMERVILLE — Its scientific name is chrysemys picta and it’s coming this winter to a shady corner of Azalea Park Early December is an odd time of year for a turtle to be out and about but this giant painted version is made of glass-reinforced concrete built for climbing and will be one of the signature playground art pieces in a children’s discovery area underway at Azalea Park compliments of Leadership Dorchester’s class of 2024 The group’s goals were to facilitate a civic-minded project that is sustainable within Dorchester County borders and completed before graduation in December so no loose ends are left for anyone else to tie up explained Austin Zuniga — a class member and Dorchester County’s director of parks and recreation Leadership Dorchester is an 11-month educational program facilitated by the Greater Summerville/Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce It is a comprehensive course in the economic The program’s aim is to train community stakeholders in leadership skills and offer a unique networking and personal development opportunity This year marks the 14th year for the leadership program Taking a cue from last year’s leadership graduates the 2024 class sent out requests for proposals to the community and came back with the children’s garden idea from Summerville Parks and Recreation Director Amy Evans The Town of Summerville is partnering with Leadership Dorchester in the project along with the Summerville Parks Foundation “The children’s discovery garden will be immersive in nature Not a lot of playgrounds have that motif to them and this is a beautiful little cove in a beautiful park as well as an underutilized space,” Zuniga said the garden will include a red-cap mushroom and smaller turtle steppers to encourage proprioceptive skills in children a balance beam designed to look like a log landscaped hopscotch pavers made of natural slate and a three-piece percussion set that resembles very tall flowers A small amphitheater and wraparound benches designed to encircle tree trunks are also in the works The Leadership Dorchester fundraising team has already begun to raise money to make the children’s garden a reality The 6-foot-long painted turtle climbing apparatus will cost $12,340 a set of three red-capped mushroom steppers runs around $4,800 “We are hoping to get folks to sponsor the individual pieces,” leadership class member Heidi Gordon told The Post and Courier Gordon had a hand in organizing two fundraising events for the children’s garden so far, the first being the Historic Garden Stroll on Aug There will also be a golf tournament on Oct guests at the August event will check in at the Azalea Park site get an introduction to the future children’s garden and then walk or take a golf cart shuttle to a historic home tour nearby Gordon said each of the four homeowners is offering a “small bite beverage and live music” type of hospitality All of the homes have been featured in magazines or on television and are “some of the most prestigious homes in Summerville’s historic district,” Gordon said “These homes are fenced and gated; you normally wouldn’t see them or their gardens unless you were invited.” Zuniga noted that Leadership Dorchester class members are immersed in a varied curriculum meetings with state legislators and tours of new educational facilities He said that the leadership intensive is a great way to meet the people who make Dorchester County tick and foster “next-level” relationships with people from all industries and fields but we’ve started to see donations come in already,” Zuniga said To donate directly to the children’s garden, please visit: www.givebutter.com/childrensgarden. News tips/online questions: newstips@postandcourier.com Delivery/subscription questions: subserve@postandcourier.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: (WCTV) - One Cairo family is mourning the loss of their loved one who was killed in a shooting early Tuesday morning Heather Haywood, 41, was one of two victims shot and killed during the overnight hours Tuesday in the area of 7th Avenue NW and 4th Street NW near Azalea Park, according to Cairo Police Haywood’s family says they want justice brought to the person who took their daughter’s life said he never imagined he would have to bury one of his children I can’t hardly believe she isn’t here,” Faircloth said “I won’t get to hear her say Dad I love you.” and a 23-year-old daughter who just gave birth six weeks ago Her family described her as a sweet person and said she would do anything for her family she didn’t deserve this and I’m sure the guy didn’t deserve this either,” Faircloth said was transported to a local hospital where police say he later died WCTV reached out to Cairo Police Wednesday for more information but they declined to comment any further Hayward’s family set up a Gofundme here to help with funeral costs Please include the article's headline in your message Crime & Courts, News Richmond County authorities are actively searching for 44-year-old James Trimble III who is wanted in connection with a violent home invasion and armed robbery that took place early Sunday morning at Azalea Park Apartments at 1814 Fayetteville Drive Trimble allegedly broke into the apartment around 4:38 a.m forcefully kicking in the door and attacking the occupants Deputies responding to the scene found the apartment in disarray with significant damage including flooding and broken items The suspect reportedly pistol-whipped one of the residents before fleeing in a burgundy Nissan Murano or Rogue Witnesses described Trimble as following a resident who was driving a gold Chevrolet Malibu after the incident Deputies who arrived on the scene found the apartment ransacked and flooded with several valuable items reported stolen including two TVs and personal electronics threatened a 45-year-old man who also lived there and stole various items Trimble was seen loading stolen goods into his vehicle and driving away Authorities are urging anyone with information about Trimble’s whereabouts to contact Investigator Alex Haskins at 706-821-1078 or any on-duty investigator at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080 Letters to the Editor | Opinion News Briefs General News | News | Politics & Government Health, Science & Technology | News Education | News The Augusta Press encourages and welcomes reader comments; however we request this be done in a respectful manner and we retain the discretion to determine which comments violate our comment policy remove and/or not allow your comments to be posted The types of comments not allowed on our site include: Forgot your password? website@theaugustapress.com Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Email: online@berkeleyind.com The trending original: Anthropologie Luisa Mirror, $1,198 Costco's viral standing mirror: Ravena mirror, $249.99 I used to have a similar floor mirror years ago and seeing the oversized gold mirrors trending on TikTok makes me regret ever letting it go It's really the perfect way to give your home an instant (and Instagrammable) glow-up And if you want one too, don’t worry if by the time you read this you've missed out on Costco's $250 'Ravena' floor mirror - I went on a hunt for some amazing lookalikes including the Sam's Club version our readers seem to love so you can still get the luxe look for less Mirrors reflect light to help make your space look bigger  - for example I have mirrored closet doors that serve double duty giving both a dressing room effect and making my master bedroom look more spacious Baroque-inspired gold floor mirrors like Anthropologie’s are a great vintage-inspired option which also looks just as great with both classic and modern decor The charming pieces will give any space instant chic Parisian apartment vibes And we’re not the only ones who love this decor trend. Just one post by Instagram influencer Costcohotfinds about the Costco mirror earned over 134,000 likes with comments ranging from “I grabbed it when I saw it Still saving up for the Anthropologie one though.” but I need to tell you that it's not the only budget-friendly choice which adds interest to my more modern living room decor The Azalea Park mirror at Sam’s Club is made from a double-sided steel frame with a gold finish commenters on social media are saying this mirror is their favorite budget-friendly option if Anthropologie's look isn’t the one for you it is one of the cheapest options on my list The only downside is that there’s a chance it’s not available to shop online for delivery in your region so check your zip code on the site to see if you can order then pick it up in-store Amazon’s lightweight aluminum frame mirror is about seven inches smaller and doesn’t have the ornate accents but will be effective in brightening up your space There were about 500 sold in the last month tilt it or use the U-shape bracket on the back for support This Wayfair mirror is less ornate than the Anthropologie version but that doesn’t mean it isn’t still a stunner it’s an oversized piece - 71” x 32” - making it an amazing choice for larger homes or spaces I searched high and low to find some options to shop - and here's what I took into consideration: By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information please click here. and these are the ones I love for the new seasonSupported by Karen Millen Created from the remains of a private air field Azalea Park is situated in the middle of the hustle and bustle of modern-day Orange County but it possesses the charm that defines its roots as an area that was originally surveyed in 1843 by Henry Washington Azalea Park was part of a 4 million-acre land purchase by Philadelphia industrialist Hamilton Disston in 1881 By 1937 it had changed hands several times when the Cannon & Mills Aircraft company purchased it The neighborhood grew in popularity in the 1950s becoming a vibrant community with its own public swimming pool and swim team “Back then it was all citrus groves,” said Virginia Bruton of the Azalea Park Safe Neighborhood Association and there was an old grocery store and clay pits where we would shoot at targets.” Bruton, who was in one of the first graduating classes of Colonial High School has many fond memories of the neighborhood in which she grew up She specifically remembers there always being a lot of young kids around “Everyone knew each other and would meet at Ronnie’s Restaurant for breakfast; and everyone went to church on Sundays There was also a big lunch counter at Rexall drugstore where everyone would hang out.” and the neighborhood has become much more diverse Part of this cultural infusion has been a food renaissance with an influx of Cuban and Puerto Rican restaurants opening up in the area which is harder today because the community is much bigger and more spread out,” said Bruton “It’s important for older communities to continue to beautify and stay safe I think we’ve done a good job of maintaining a sense of community over the years.” With its proximity to Orlando Executive Airport – and the fact the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Orange County Fire Rescue all have their communications centers in Azalea Park – this vintage Orlando neighborhood remains an important part of Orange County’s history and identity “Azalea Park is a diverse neighborhood filled with history and pride,” said Orange County District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe “Its residents are a perfect example of how passion and dedication can help preserve a community’s charm as it grows.” To learn more about Azalea Park, visit the local Neighborhood Community Center for Families by visiting www.ocfl.net/NCF Photo Caption: Pink azalea flowers in bloom Typical ebbs and flows of the single-family home market do not have much of an impact on the ultra Four restaurant chains and a cake shop will join seven other businesses coming this year to the new Tree Farm.. the May 5 opening of the Hospital for Special Surgery at NCH takes the health care.. FL Star Development began preliminary site development for its new rental community in Collier County The plans for Azalea Park consist of 250 townhomes with private yards and 144 apartments in four totaling 394 residential units of rentals on Hacienda Lakes Parkway just east of the intersection of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road Azalea Park also will include a two-story activity center with a fitness facility Construction is expected to begin in the fall Get thee to Richmond's gorgeous Isabella Plantation where the newly blooming azaleas are making for a stunning pink vista The azaleas are fleetingly in flower and will reach peak bloom within the next couple of weeks so feast your eyes on this fabulous fuchsia before it’s gone forever Because seriously… just look at that You’ll be pinching yourself if you don’t get a chance to check it out it’s a little early; late April and early May are the ideal times to view the flowers that’s the perfect excuse to visit multiple times over the coming weeks and you’re sure to find your fair share of hidden secrets and forgotten burblers within the park As well as some gorgeous mirror-ed vistas… And we can’t forget about the fairy tunnels that are dotted around the area They truly do provide a magical framing for shots And what would a fancy display like this be without some equally fancy ducks there are plenty to spot for duck watchers and floral fanatics at the Isabella Plantation But we know that the azaleas sure are a prized sight… So we reckon it’s about time you grab a pink-lovin’ pal and head to the Isabella Plantation to get lost amongst the verdant display While late April and early May are the best times for the psychedelic display of rhododendrons and azaleas there’s plenty more floral action throughout the year for all you late bloomers The Royal Parks recommends visiting all year round to see how the blooms and colours change Richmond Park operates a free minibus service that runs on Monday The minibus has disabled access and can ferry visitors to and from all Richmond Park car parks So there’s virtually no excuse not to get thee among the blooms FL Star Development began removing existing structures from the site of the proposed new rental community just east of the intersection of Collier Boulevard and Rattlesnake Hammock Road in Collier County Azalea Park is planned for 250 townhomes and 144 apartments in four Construction is expected to begin in the next two months Remove all graphics and images from the website so that only the text and links are visible Reverts to original layout including graphics and images and representatives from the Park Authority gathered in celebration this past Saturday at Azalea Park in Falls Church neighborhood park has been fully redesigned and with the collaboration and cooperation of neighbors spend time with family and friends and enjoy being outdoors The park now features new play equipment for all age groups and landscaping featuring the parks’ namesake azaleas The Park Authority worked closely with the Greater Hillwood Citizens Association to plan the improvements for the park and the planning and construction process was completed within one year residents formed a volunteer group to provide enhanced maintenance of the park’s landscaping Custom Park Solutions and Denison Landscaping provided services for the project Pictured are members of the community and the Park Authority project team as well as Alex Strong President of the Greater Hillwood Citizens Association; Providence District Supervisor Linda Smyth Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Kirk Kincannon Azalea Park Steering Committee; Paul Shirey See more photos at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ffxparks/albums/72157710885348161 703-324-7329 Website Accessibility Translate Download Mobile App ADA Accessibility FOIA Requests Website Administrator Fairfax County Public Schools Economic Development Authority Visit Fairfax Council of Governments Commonwealth of Virginia USA.gov This website is unavailable in your location.  It appears you are attempting to access this website from a country outside of the United States, therefore access cannot be granted at this time. this piece is now officially back in stores for just $149.98 A post shared by Sam’s Club Savings (@samsclubsimplesavings) so it’s slightly narrower than other full-length designs and can easily be tucked into a corner or tiny stretch of wall it’s still sizable enough to double as a focal point in any bedroom This versatile piece also includes both mounting hardware and rubber floor grippers so you can securely style it either hanging up or leaning against a wall “This size at other places is going for at least $800!” one shopper wrote Another commended the quality of the design adding that it’s “very heavy and sturdy.” Which so plan accordingly when you’re shopping for it and unboxing back home But act fast — it’s bound to sell out again especially given the absolutely unbeatable under-$150 price Read the commentsFiled in:Decor & AccessoriesShopping The home you love starts here The home you love starts here Apartment TherapyThe wordmark for the Apartment Therapy brand.More From Us By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInAUGUSTA (WRDW/WAGT) - Five families are being assisted by the American Red Cross after a Thursday evening fire at Azalea Park Apartments firefighters responded to a structure fire involving eight units heavy fire and smoke were visible from the windows Meanwhile, in less than 24 hours, two people have died from separate structure fires in Augusta and Leesville During a 360-degree assessment of the complex Chief Colson saw a resident attempting to jump from a second-story window Firefighters used a ground ladder to rescue the resident the fire was extinguished without any injuries said: “There was a sixth unit that was affected we were able to provide them with assistance and then they will be assigned a caseworker to assist them in the recovery.” and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the fire Georgia Power was requested to secure the electrical service to the building The cause of the fire is under investigation Neighbors complaining about this complex isn’t new “My apartment was in so bad of order that code enforcement condemned my whole apartment I had no choice but to get out,” said Garian Henry Last year our I-TEAM discovered more than 200 code violations stacked up against the complex, leading to some building being condemned This wasn’t the first time the Red Cross has been to this complex either And there were a couple of people hanging around the units trying to see if they’re able to grab anything outside of the units and some of them actually had to escape through their windows,” said Delucia The Red Cross says they responded to 76 house fires in Richmond County to see the devastation that can happen in such a short period of time,” he said The Azalea Apartments told News 12 in a statement that they have newly renovated apartments to put the families in and are also taking donations for the families and their kids who lost everything They said they need children’s clothes and schools supplies and can be donated to the leasing office Get our Weekly Top Picks of Things to Do Around the Orlando Area Escape to a small, lovely park in the Orlando area that locals have loved for decades. Kraft Azalea Garden is situated on the shore of Lake Maitland, part of the Winter Park Chain of Lakes This tranquil place is free and easy to visit Here's everything you need to know about visiting Kraft Azalea Garden in Winter Park With its location along the shores of Lake Maitland there are plenty of beautiful views of the lake First thing in the morning you may be able to spot active Florida wildlife or Catch the sunset in the evening over Lake Maitland on one of the shore-situated benches Stroll hand in hand through blooming azaleas bask in the shade of majestic cypress trees and embrace the tranquility of Lake Maitland's shimmering waters The park has a small trail lined with white seashells instead of rocks the greenery is vibrant and there is a gorgeous arch-like centerpiece perfect for sitting and embracing the moment “Pause friend let beauty refresh the spirit.” It's easy to make Kraft Azalea Garden part of a special day enjoying Winter Park and Park Avenue The park is situated in a gorgeous Winter Park neighborhood Enjoy a stroll around the park and continue through the tree-lined streets of Winter Park for views of absolutely stunning homes The park offers opportunities for outdoor activities like picnicking The serene environment makes it a great place for meditation and photography This park is also gorgeous for engagements during the sunset I witnessed one during this visit and it was heartfelt and lovely You also can never go wrong with a Publix Sub or Charcuterie box and a bottle of wine (alcohol is permitted but be please drink responsibly) make sure you do not leave any trash or litter behind Kraft Azalea Garden is a favorite spot for photographers especially for engagement and wedding photoshoots it's essential to check local regulations regarding photography permits and event bookings and make sure to respect the events that are scheduled there – no one wants a wedding crasher Small weddings of 20 people or so are permitted and you can contact the number on the website to reserve try to visit during a weekday or early morning (813) 949-4400info@datenightguide.com320 W Augusta officials and tenants aren’t the only ones demanding better conditions at the Azalea Park apartment complex wants the court to appoint a third party to ensure all improvements are made agreed to sell the apartment complex to New Jersey-based SMJ Investments but SMJ hasn’t closed on the sale due to unaddressed repairs according to an October lawsuit filed in Richmond County Superior Court SMJ says Azalea has forced tenants to live in “deplorable” conditions and that “little property management is taking place,” then cites a multitude of code violations at the complex obtained at no charge through an open records request More: Augusta rental complex has rats, leaks and worse, but residents have nowhere to go city code inspectors found dried raw sewage on tenants' floors and missing or inoperative smoke detectors But the Augusta Commission agreed to give Azalea more time to address the problems fires heavily damaged two of the complex’s buildings but no one was injured SMJ’s lawsuit illustrates the extent of the issues at Azalea Numerous citations were included for almost all of the complex's 26 buildings lettered A-Z. Inspections were conducted in vacant units and common areas as well as in those with tenants who allowed them in Commissioner John Clarke sought an update Tuesday after the commission was promised progress as of Dec “I’m afraid that we’re going to end up with a tragedy in that location if something is not done quickly,” Clarke said Tuesday But the city remains aware if Azalea is shut down “the citizens have nowhere to go.” City officials haven't mentioned the buyer or pending action from SMJ which wants the court to appoint a receiver which is an independent third party management firm to take over Azalea Clarke said the commission hasn't been informed of the sale or lawsuit "That’s information that hasn’t been shared," he said including the firm’s Augusta attorney Davis Dunaway Dunaway hasn’t returned a few messages seeking comment No number was listed for SMJ principal Samuel Weinberger More: Fire displaces 15 from Augusta apartment complex rife with code violations Interim Planning Director Carla Delaney told the Commission on Tuesday that Azalea had made good on a promise to submit an “assessment” of what needs to be done although “they didn’t prioritize it in the way we would like them to.” She said it  has addressed all violations the city was aware of in September – while more than 50 remained the complex was said to have 70 residents threatened with eviction if the complex closed according to records from the Richmond County Marshal’s Office The records don't show the reasons Azalea told the marshal's office to evict them. The Red Cross has come to the aid of residents forced out by the two fires Commissioner Dennis Williams said Tuesday the complex looked “pretty clean on the outside while interim Commissioner Alvin Mason said it was time for Azalea “to pay the piper” and be held accountable “People’s living conditions (matter) regardless of social or economic status,” he said More: Double-edged sword: Closing dangerous apartment complex could put dozens on the street The bulk of complaints include inoperative bathroom and kitchen fixtures The two buildings that burned - M and P - each were cited for having inoperable smoke detectors (WRDW/WAGT) - The Richmond County Coroner’s Office is investigating the suspicious death of a woman.  to investigate a report of an unresponsive person deputies found a dead female inside a sport utility vehicle that was parked in the complex was pronounced dead on the scene at 3 p.m. The incident is being investigated as a suspicious death pending the autopsy it will be the latest in a string of them the region has been enduring since mid-April It’s been just four days since Augusta saw its last homicide Homicides in the CSRA since April 14 include: