A place for family time

The Pier Plaza and the Glazer Family Playground have become destination amenities for families, including the play area, the Pavilion with restrooms, the Majeed Foundation Splash Pad and Spa Beach. On any given day, you’ll find a wide range of ages and interests in this diverse family recreational area. The playground includes two areas that each interpret the theme of the fantasy bayscape in a different way, based on ages and play abilities. The design of the equipment takes into account a wide range of abilities and encourages exploration.

Barbara Wilks, designer and principal of W Architecture and Landscape Architecture, the lead designers of the Pier Approach, worked with the City and Earthscapes Play to create the playground, with a mythical Kraken, sea turtles, a lifeguard stand, and other elements which were all custom-designed by Earthscapes. “Collaborating with Earthscapes, we placed the equipment in three oval gardens, similar to the passive oval gardens on the other side of the lawn,” said Wilks. “The natural wood equipment emphasizes and blends with the natural surroundings. The whole effect is a space that fluidly integrates play with the remainder of the park.”

Just beyond the Marketplace at the Pier’s entrance is the Family Park, a tree-populated common area that is ideal for a picnic and one of the many eco-friendly aspects of the Pier. With ample seating and shade, not to mention plenty of green space and flowering plants, this area is a charming little world unto itself. It overlooks the North Basin facing Vinoy Park and the Vinoy® Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club.

A storm water wetland/pond with native plants brings nature and wildlife into the park to provide areas of calm for those who might rather observe play or animal life rather than participate. Existing trees were incorporated with many new trees and other native vegetation for shade. In fact, throughout the Pier, there were over 500 new trees planted with this development. This park, and all areas throughout the Pier are entirely handicap accessible.