CLEARWATER, FL — A major piece of the plan to revitalize downtown Clearwater kicks off Wednesday with the grand reopening of Coachman Park and its new amphitheater, The Sound.
The opening-day ceremonies for the Imagine Clearwater project will include an official ribbon-cutting ceremony at 5 p.m. featuring remarks from the mayor, state officials, the Coachman family, the construction team and Ruth Eckerd Hall.
The day will culminate with a free concert by rock legend Cheap Trick at 7 p.m. at The Sound.
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“The grand opening of Coachman Park and The Sound represents a new era of entertainment and recreation in Clearwater and marks a significant milestone for our city,” said Clearwater Mayor Brian Aungst Sr.
“Clearwater will truly be celebrating with a wonderful grand opening week that offers something for everyone,” Susan M. Crockett, Ruth Eckerd Hall president & CEO, said. Ruth Eckerd Hall is managing The Sound amphitheater at Coachman Park. “We are very excited to play our part in bringing world-renowned artists to the festivities.”
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“We’re proud to work collectively with the city of Clearwater and Stantec (design consultant) to bring Imagine Clearwater to life. Our dedicated tradesmen and women are ecstatic to support shaping the future of our community through transformative public spaces such as this incredible project,” said Chuck Jablon, vice president of construction for Skanska Inc. , the construction contractor whose team logged more than 150,000 work hours on the project.
The weeklong grand reopening from June 28 to July 4 will showcase the renovation of the waterfront park in downtown Clearwater that’s been a decade in the planning and two years in construction.
In addition to introducing the park’s new amenities, the park will offer an array of activities including fitness classes provided by the YMCA, street entertainers, live music on The Green and in The Sound, food and beverage offerings, and business and craft vendors.
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A longtime Clearwater centerpiece for concerts and other community activities, the 19-acre Coachman park has been closed for an $84 million renovation project including a grand entrance and walkway, public art spaces, 4 acres of flexible event space, the Bay Walk Promenade overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, a marina amenity building, a scenic lake overlook with a pedestrian bridge and rentable picnic pavilions, a playground area with $1.2 million in equipment and an ocean-themed splash pad with an interactive pop-jet water feature.
The Craft Beer Pier on the waterfront is a place where visitors can grab a beverage, listen to live jazz music and enjoy the sights.
The project also included the construction of The Sound amphitheater with 4,000 seats plus space for 5,000 more attendees on the band shell lawn.
Ruth Eckerd Hall anticipates hosting 35 or more concerts, festivals and cultural events throughout the year.
In a referendum in 2017, 75.8 percent of voters approved spending $55 million to redesign the park to have more walkable access, gardens, a larger concert green, a gateway plaza and a winding bluff walk with terraces, paths and views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
However, a shortage of lumber, concrete, metal and other construction materials combined with supply line issues following the pandemic pushed the price up to $84 million.
The Clearwater City Council is hoping it can make up the funding gap by using hotel tax revenue, state grants and the sale of the two city-owned parcels overlooking Clearwater Harbor for the upcoming voter-approved Gotham Group’s Bluffs Project.
“Yes, this is the biggest ticket item the city has ever endeavored into, but I have every confidence in the world it’s going to turn out the way we want it to,” council member Hoyt Hamilton.
Getting To Coachman Park
To encourage the use of alternative transportation and ease congestion and competition for parking around Coachman Park, the city has partnered with the Clearwater Ferry operators to offer extended operating hours and discounted fares.
From June 28 to July 4, the Clearwater Ferry will operate on an extended schedule. The partnership will provide access to the park from downtown Clearwater, downtown Dunedin and Clearwater Beach at the discounted rate of $3 each way for the Downtown Clearwater Harbor Marine route or the Clearwater Beach Marina route and $5 for the Downtown Dunedin route.
To minimize wait times, passengers must make reservations for ferry rides on all routes. Scheduled departure times are subject to change based on reservations.
For those choosing to drive, an interactive parking map is available, allowing visitors to explore various parking options, including lots, garages and on-street parking throughout downtown.
To further enhance parking availability, the city has collaborated with multiple private entities to offer additional parking spaces for the grand opening.
From June 30 to July 2 and July 4, event-goers can take advantage of the free Jolley Trolley parking shuttle, another partnership established by the city. The Jolley Trolley will make multiple stops throughout downtown, encouraging visitors to park in remote lots and enjoy a hassle-free commute to the park.
The Jolley Trolley will run:
Bicyclists will find ample secure bike racks located throughout the park. Rideshare drivers will have designated drop-off and pick-up points.
Jolley Trolley Shuttle Map
Interactive Parking Map
Schedule Of Events
Wednesday, June 28
4 p.m. — Jolley Trolley shuttles to the park begin.
5 p.m. — Coachman Park ribbon-cutting in the Upper Plaza.
5 p.m. — Outdoor vendor and craft market throughout the park opens.
5 p.m. — A convoy of food trucks will open on Cleveland Street.
6 p.m. — Body Balance outdoor fitness class on the Bay Walk Promenade.
7 p.m. — Cheap Trick hits the stage of The Sound.
Thursday, June 29
8 a.m. —Yoga on the Waterfront on the Bay Walk Promenade.
8:45 a.m. — Taiji Fit at the Bay Walk Promenade.
9:30 a.m. — HIIT on The Green.
10 a.m. — Parking Trolley starts.
10 a.m. — Multicultural Market throughout the park.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Cultural and diversity performances on The Green.
5:30 p.m. — Byrne Brothers at The Sound.
7 p.m. — Jah Movement at The Sound.
8:30 p.m. — The Black Honkeys Band at The Sound.
Friday, June 30
8 a.m. — Yoga on the Waterfront at the Bay Walk Promenade.
9 a.m. — Boot camp at the Bay Walk Promenade.
10 a.m. — Parking trolley starts.
10 a.m. — Kids yoga on The Green.
11 a.m. — Kids boot camp on The Green.
10 a.m. — Outdoor craft and vendor market, children’s activities throughout the park.
10 a.m. — DJ Brooke Santana at The Green.
11 a.m. — Food trucks on Cleveland Street open.
Noon —Craft Beer Pier opens.
Noon — Corey Thorton performance at The Lake.
12:30 p.m. — K-9 demonstration on The Green.
1:30 p.m. — Corey Thorton at The Lake.
2 p.m. — Alto Moon at The Green.
3 p.m. — Corey Thorton at The Lake.
3:30 p.m. — Petty Experience at The Green.
7 p.m. — Colbie Caillat and Gavin DeGraw at The Sound.
Saturday, July 1
7 a.m. — Coachman Grand Opening 5K
8:15 a.m. — Boot camp at the Bay Walk Promenade.
9 a.m. — Stretch at the Bay Walk Promenade.
9:30 a.m. — Zumba at The Green.
9:30 a.m. — Body Combat & Core at the Bay Walk Promenade.
10 a.m. —Parking trolley starts.
10 a.m. — Craft and vendor market throughout the park.
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10 a.m. — DJ Brooke Santana on The Green.
10 a.m. — Children’s activities at The Lake.
11 a.m. — Food trucks open on Cleveland Street.
Noon — Craft Bier Pier opens.
1 p.m. — South Bound 75 at The Green.
2:30 p.m. —Andrew Morris Band at The Green.
4 p.m. — Juna N Joey at The Green.
7 p.m. — Dave Koz with special guests Candy Dulfer and Eric Darius at The Sound.
Sunday, July 2
7:30 a.m. — Seniors Walk & Talk on the Upper Plaza.
10 a.m. — Parking trolley starts.
10 a.m. — Hispanic Farmers Market throughout the park.
10 a.m. —Latin dance instructors on The Green.
11 a.m. — Food trucks open on Cleveland Street.
11 a.m. — Mahetzi, The Green
Noon — Craft Bier Pier Open
12:10 p.m. — Sones de Mexico, The Green
1:30 p.m. — Son Salvaje, The Green
3 p.m. —Rumberos de Tampa Bay , The Green
5:15 — DJ Mike Sensation , The Green
7 p.m. — Peter Frampton perform at The Sound.
Monday, July 3
8 a.m. — Yoga on The Green.
8 a.m. —Volunteer cleanup throughout the park.
8 a.m. — Community Wellness Walk throughout the park.
9 a.m. — Taiji Fit on the Bay Walk Promenade.
10 a.m. — Blood drive on Cleveland Street.
5 p.m. — Body Balance on the Bay Walk Promenade.
6 p.m. — Tone on Bay Walk Promenade.
7 p.m. — Core on The Green.
7:30 p.m. — Sunset Stretch Yoga on The Green.
Tuesday, July 4, Clearwater Celebrates America
8 a.m. — Body Balance on the Bay Walk Promenade.
8:30 a.m. — HIIT on The Green.
9 a.m. — Body Combat on The Green.
8:30 a.m. — Classic Car Show on Cleveland Street.
10 a.m. — Parking trolley starts.
10 a.m. — DJ Brooke Santana on The Green.
10 a.m. — Craft and vendor market throughout the park.
10 a.m. — Children’s activities on The Lake.
11 a.m. — Food trucks open on Cleveland Street.
1 p.m. — Warren Garrett performance at The Green.
2:30 p.m. — Aubrey Wollett performance at The Green.
4 p.m. — Good Peebles performance at The Green.
5:30 p.m. — Coast Guard demonstrations at The Green.
7 p.m. — The Florida Orchestra performs at The Sound.
9:30 p.m. — Fireworks throughout the park.
10 p.m. — Post-fireworks silent disco party on The Green.
Crafts And Vendors Market
Visitors are invited to stroll through the outdoor vendor markets featuring local artists and artisans showcasing artworks and handcrafts goods. The market schedule is as follows:
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