TAMPA, Fla. – Lykes Gaslight Square Park in Downtown Tampa has long needed additional park amenities and regularly scheduled programming. Today, the Tampa Downtown Partnership will begin work on a temporary public space activation and interactive community input campaign to help envision the park’s future located in the center of Tampa’s Downtown.

“Over the past decade, the Partnership has focused on activating public spaces like Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, which has now become a year-round gathering place for Downtown workers and residents,” said Partnership President and CEO Lynda Remund. “Activating Lykes Gaslight Square Park is the next step towards seeing these great public spaces reach their full potential.”

While the Partnership has long-term goals for Lykes Gaslight Square Park, the organization would also like to hear from those who live, work, and visit Downtown. Rather than a traditional public meeting or an online survey, Remund says the Partnership has opted to construct a temporary version of the potential park improvements for the public to experience and engage while given the opportunity to offer feedback.

In addition to a food kiosk, the Partnership will temporarily install movable tables and chairs, put up overhead lighting and offer music and other public space activities. The Partnership will also provide an on-site mobile office for public engagement during the trial period to gather feedback.

The Lykes Gaslight Square Park project will open in a few weeks and run for 90-days. During that time, various operating hours of the activation will be tested to determine if the public prefers breakfast, lunch, or dinner service or some combination of the three.