North Kenwood St Petersburg
Amenities/character/etc.
North Kenwood has two lakes, one in Booker Creek Park and the other, Emerald Lake, separating residential homes from the commercial section where the St. Petersburg Times has its printing plant. The neighborhood's central location makes it very convenient for shopping and easy access to all of St. Petersburg and Interstate 275.
North Kenwood is a mix of residential homes, trailer parks, a hospital, a nursing home and commercial and industrial buildings. Its character changes quickly as one moves from street to street.
Trees are everywhere and North Kenwood is famous for its towering oak trees that distinguish it from other neighborhoods. In fact, the oak tree has become its symbol. In the sections that were farms before houses were built, one finds big fruit trees such as avocados, mangos, grapefruits, and oranges.
Architecture
Of the approximately 900 homes in the neighborhood, the styles of the residential area are varied, typically with one story homes having two bedrooms, porches and garages. There are a few two story homes, a number of industrial buildings and two trailer parks. Some new homes have been built in 1996 and 1997.
On the western (34th Street North) and northern sides (22nd Avenue North), there are stores such as Home Depot, Scotty's and Kash n' Karry, with their typical box structures and parking lots.
History
North Kenwood Neighborhood Association was formerly a part of the Kenwood Neighborhood Association. To better accommodate the neighbors' interest and address relevant problems, Kenwood split into the Historic Section, (south of 9th Avenue North), and Northern Section, which is our new Association. It was formed in 1995 and the association incorporated in 1996.
Previously, some sections of the neighborhood were given different names such as Avalon, Melrose, Flora Villa Estates, Pelham Manor, Harris and Cushman Farms; but only a few traces remain of the old names.
On the Harris Farm, (established 1924) there is still the house built by the farmers and an old structure that used to be the Toll-Keeper House on the Gandy Bridge. Big fruit trees can still be seen around the Harris Farm. The Sellers Dairy used to be at the corner of 13th Avenue and 25th Street, not far from the Harris Farm.
At one time, our neighborhood had a popular skating rink, which was demolished and replaced with medical offices.
Organizations/programs
In its first year of operation, our organization has established two core corridors of members along 25th and 28th Streets North. We sponsored a Crime Watch picnic at Booker Creek Park with the generous support of Columbia Edward White Hospital. It was very successful with many children attending and has become an annual event. We held a neighborhood yard sale that raised funds to supplement the food already promised by Columbia Edward White Hospital for the annual Crime Watch picnic. The City's Police and Fire departments contributed many long hours to make the annual picnic a success.
Each year, the Association awards prizes for the best Christmas outdoor illumination of homes.
In cooperation with Historic Kenwood, we have erected street signs with the Kenwood logo at a number of corners and added shrubs around them. Also, in conjunction with the holidays, charity drives are held.
In 1973, a 35-acre lake and park were proposed on the site that is now Booker Creek Lake. The Association plans to develop the lake and park into neighborhood amenities.
The leadership of North Kenwood Neighborhood Association works closely with the community police officers assigned to its area to help keep a close watch on undesirable activities. In addition, it works closely with the code compliance officers to correct the deterioration of structures and yards.
The Association was awarded a grant to improve Triangle Park as a new playground for neighborhood children. In 1998, a grant has been approved to erect neighborhood signs to designate boundaries.
Boundaries
34th Street North to I-275 from 9th to 22nd Avenues North.
Information compliments of www.stpete.org
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