Readers of a recent Cedar Key News letter-to-the-editor are aware of the effort to create a park out of six adjoining lots at the comer of Second and "G" Streets. The proposed park looks out on Daughtry Bayou and across to Piney Point. At low tide a sand spit runs far out into the bayou. Sunsets over the bayou draw visitors every evening. The sand spit offers tide pooling to children and adults. This is the perfect place for a park.
Bill and Alice Phillips are the driving force to create the park. The owner of the lots, Mr. Ronnie Taylor, has given a non-profit group formed by the Phillips the opportunity to buy the lots. The non-profit group, Cedar Key Land Development Corporation, is under great time pressure because Mr. Taylor plans to build houses on the lots if the land preservation group does not buy them.
Three nearby lodging businesses will benefit from what is being called Sunset Park. So will Cedar Key`s residents and visitors. The park will provide recreation, open space and preservation of the character of the adjacent Historic District.
Creation of the park has drawn support from the City Commission, the Local Planning Agency, the Chamber of Commerce, and key members of the Nature Coast Conservancy. Dr. Earl Starnes, a leader in planning Cedar Key`s future, told Cedar Key News that, "the park is a worthwhile goal." The Cedar Key News Board of Directors is in favor of the park, and will decide on its financial contribution at next month`s board meeting.
Mr. Taylor has been generous in his offer to delay development of his property. However, for Sunset Park to become a reality our community must join the Phillips in their effort. That means financial support. Contributions to the park fund are being held in escrow by the Drummond Community Bank, % Cedar Key Land Development Corporation, P.O. Box 701, Cedar Key, FL 32625. | 