A horse was tied outside a shop in a narrow Chinese village street. Whenever anyone would try to walk by, the horse would kick him. Before long, a small crowd of villagers had gathered near the shop, arguing about how best to get past the dangerous horse. Suddenly, someone came running. “The Old Master is coming!” he shouted. “He’ll know what to do!”

The crowd watched eagerly as the Old Master came around the corner, saw the horse, turned, and walked down another street.

You're right, Doc. It IS time for new ideas and dialogue....have heard of a local group working for a public water taxi station and resurrected real streetcar line to be integrated into this pier. The streetcar, which they say could get transportation funds at the federal level, could stop at BayWalk and then the downtown main streetcar station at Williams' Park. The Park station would be a transit station so loitering could be forbidden under the Patriot Act, etc. The bandshell could be relocated to Demens Landing, where performances take place. Green benches and other historical artifacts could be incorporated at the Williams' Park station and the idea of an intermodal transit center for downtown should be put forward at the existing main station near 34th St and Central Ave....setting the stage for enhanced transit along US 19. The first leg of the streetcar would go to this Central Ave station and the need for all those buses would decrease significantly with one main, predictable and fun transit line. The Looper buses can shuttle people to and from the main line streetcar. Charlotte NC resurrected their authentic streetcar line downtown and it paid for itself in 6 years, due to all the businesses and residences that sprung up along the route. Our line could go to the beaches, eventually, when times improves.

Lets move the busses first, then see if we still have a problem.

Removing the park will not remove the problem. As said before, next you'll just be advocating for the filling in and building on top of what is Mirror Lake now.

Greetings, I am part of the Student Project Club at Downtown St. Petersburg College. As a club we recently discussed this issue at our last meeting. We also believe that Williams park needs some healing and rejuvenation. I know that most students on campus are not comfortable travailing or socializing at Williams park. Student project club and students would love to be a part of this discussion as well. We would love to hear some ideas on how we could help. We have some energetic young members willing to help. Thank you for your time.

Be careful at Williams' Park, Adriano.....it is not a safe place and your wonderful youthful spirit may not protect you.......don't give up, too....

It just simply needs to be closed for "renovations" - any excuse the City can come up with to close the park. It may take years to reclaim the park, but once the city is sure the drug dealers, etc. are gone and not coming back, then open the park again and open it with a bang, lots of concerts booked, etc.

Humbug, I have been to Williams Park many times. Yes, there are sketchy people doing things they shouldn't, but I have never felt unsafe.

I mostly do not feel unsafe at Williams Park. I see people enjoying themselves sunbathing and hanging out with their peers. Unfortunately I do see some other questionable activity. I think the Idea of hosting a concert series is great I know there have been attempts at this before. If a concert series was held more often and had a more modern lineup it could repel unwanted activity and attract more vibrancy.

A couple of years back there was a concert series on Wednesdays and the Saturday market was held there in the summer. I saw limited sucess. Not sure enough people came to these events to make them economically viable.

it's a different scene at night than in the broad daylight......just be careful....and keep up that optimism.....we all need that!!!

Police/Emergency First Responder logs will show it's actually safer at night than it is during the day.

I think we should focus on solutions. So far we have thought of a concert series. Maybe more community events in general being hosted at Willams park. Is their any other ideas that come to mind?

We've tried concerts, markets and numerous other ideas over the years. Simply put; you can not combine the element that is currently there with families. The park needs to be closed until the current element is gone. Unfortunately, this will only displace the element to another part of the city. The police are going to have to amp up to solve this problem. Or..... perhaps the City can do whatever they did the day our past Governor Christ got married at First United Methodist Church, the park that day was so lovely with out even a hint of negative elements or activities.

The problem with focusing on that park, is all you might manage to do is move the problem to Straub, Mirror Lake or Deman's Landing. The potential for unintended consequences is considerable. Perhaps the best thing is just for Law Enforcement to contain the problem. As for changing the character of the Park, to attract a better element, forget highbrow concepts. Build a world class concrete skate park. It would serve two purposes. It would give the skateboard community a place to go. And Doc Webb would still have something to grouse about.

There are incidents at Williams' Park, don't kid yourself. It wasn't too long ago that a stabbing occurred, don't kid yourself......the larger issue isn't really the park, it is the homeless and lack of jobs around here.....so to address this problem without looking at the larger picture is like painting rusted metal....

love the skate park idea...yet would be surprised if the Beach Drive voting/control block would allow it.....too close for comfort, especially with the memories of the teenie boppers ruling BayWalk in its day...

First of all , it is The Peoples Park. If you don't like what kinds of people that frequent the park, then look in the mirror. Williams Park is a reflection of what is endemic and wrong with the current politics in the city. Try creating some jobs in the city (municipal jobs that anyone can do) and you'll notice that the quality of life around the park will improve. Address the problem of WHY you're not comfortable with the park and you'll find that social problems won't go away until everyone shares in the benefits of maintaining a nice park. It is a transit hub! Port Authority, in NYC, isn't the most vital place in NYC, but try doing without it. Keep a police presence on the perimeter of the park, and let the people do their thing. I am not afraid of the Park. I am afraid of the Police making the park a gulag of sorts. Williams Park can still be vibrant place if you get rid of your fear of "us" vs. "them". We are both!!

I completely agree. Another solution some students are for, is a meditation happening around one of the fountains to help promote peace and serenity.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=215373025269603&set=a.171579566315616.40766.171274739679432&type=1&theater This is a link to a study shown that group meditation can help reduce crime rates.

I don't know,say I'm reaching,I lived in St.Pete Florida for a number of years growing up,my older brother was in a hommonica band and they played in the Park,they had other things that the City put on,local bands played extra...,seems to me if we don't want the drugs and other stuff going on there,we need to step up and let them know they are not wanted there,At the depot don't they have Security Guards there,if not they have Citizens Patrol,I'm sure there are several people like myself that would ENJOY working with Police Department,I do realize the Police Department has better things to do as to run to Williams Park every time there's a dispute,or small problem(s),I guess what I'm trying to say if there is. more of a presence of enforcement they will bug out and try to congragate elsewhere,or give in to the fact people are not going to put up with their stuff,you GET CITIZENS. PATROL PRESENT,They will DISSIPATE,IT WILL DEFINITELY. SLOW DOWN,I'M JUST SAYING,TY