LEALMAN, Fla. — The Pinellas County Commission recently approved a plan to spend more than $10 million to improve Raymond H. Neri Community Park in Lealman over the next two years.

What You Need To Know

  •  Pinellas County commissioners recently approved a $10.2 million project to improve Raymond H. Neri Community Park in Lealman

  • The project includes sports fields, a dog park, trail improvements, restrooms, picnic shelters and playgrounds 

  • Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice said Lealman has been historically underserved when it comes to traditional government services 

  • The groundbreaking has been scheduled for May 21 and the project is expected to be complete by the summer of 2026

Pinellas County Commissioner Charlie Justice said the project would be an important improvement for the historically underserved community of Lealman.

“This shows a continued focus on improving the quality of life in Lealman,” Justice said. “We’re spending millions of dollars on infrastructure.”

On April 9, commissioners approved the $10.2 million project, which includes sports fields, a dog park, trail improvements, restrooms, picnic shelters and playgrounds for Neri Park.

Justice said the Lealman Community, located in unincorporated Pinellas County, has been lacking when it comes to traditional government services and amenities like a first-class community park.

“This is an area of high poverty,” he said. “So, a lot of things happening, a lot of focus and things are just getting better every day in Lealman.”

Resident Laura Simkanich, 69, who lives a few blocks west of Neri Park, was born and raised in Lealman. She said community leaders have been pushing for park upgrades for years.

“It’s something that’s been wanted for a long time,” she said. “A lot of people have fought for it and whatever money we get will be used wisely.”

In 2005, the County purchased 38 acres of land and established the park. In 2018, it was officially named after Raymond Neri, a community activist who unofficially called the “Mayor of Lealman” and championed the need for green space.

Justice asked for the park to be renamed after Neri, who passed away in 2017.

“He’s the one who kind of discovered the space, came to the county, got first access to it,” said Justice. “We thought it’s appropriate that we honor his memory by naming it after him.”  

Neri’s widow, Laura, said her late husband would be thrilled to see the county and residents continuing on with his dream. Simkanich said her parents worked with Neri, and she gets emotional when talking about his legacy.

“I know he’s looking down,” she said. “It took a little time, but it’s ours.”

Most of the funding for the Lealman park upgrades comes from the federal American Rescue Plant Act with a smaller portion coming from the Penny for Pinellas sales tax and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

“It’s just an overall positive improvement to the area — something this area needs,” said Simkanich. “I’ve lived here all my life and we’ve never had anything like this, and I welcome the change.”

The project's groundbreaking has been scheduled for May 21. It is expected to be complete by the summer of 2026.

“Really looking forward to when families can have a picnic,” said Justice. “Really make some of those treasured family memories that I remember growing up and going to parks at.”