Palmetto recently earned national recognition for using environmental remediation to turn a contaminated wasteland into a community park.
What was once a contamination site from railroad operations, Connor Park opened in 2023 after nearly a decade of collaborative work. In August, the $3.8 million project won a Phoenix Award from the Environmental Protection Agency, an award which recognizes brownfield redevelopment projects.
A brownfield site is a property on which development may be difficult due to the presence of hazardous pollutants or contamination, according to the EPA.
“Today, brownfields redevelopment is an established practice area with expertise and organizations from the public, private and nonprofit sectors across the country,” the award website states. “The awards recognize exemplary practitioners and projects that are creating jobs, economic opportunity and stronger communities.”
The 2-acre park, located at 505 Fifth St. W., Palmetto, features a 500,000-gallon stormwater retention pond, multi-modal trail connections, public art and other environmentally-friendly features that garnered national recognition.
“Being a small city…we were really blown away. We knew that we had a great project, but we were really blown away when we were selected,” said Rowena Young-Gopie, executive director of the Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency.
The award website commends the park’s transformation, use of native plants and role in restoring the health of the Manatee River.