Parents press Pinellas Park to preserve T‑Birds field during demolition, cite porta‑potty and safety concerns
July 11, 2025 | Pinellas Park, Pinellas County, Florida
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Multiple parents and representatives for the Pinellas Park T‑Birds youth football program used the city’s public‑comment period on July 10 to urge council and staff to keep the team on the city field during planned demolition and site work and to address sanitation and safety concerns.
Tia Collins, who identified herself as president of the Pinellas Park T‑Birds, said porta‑potties provided to the program ‘‘were very unsanitized’’ and left unlocked and accessible to passersby. She said the team’s practices draw about 150 children and families and that the water had been turned off because of demolition work, which she described as a hazard for families and children. Several other residents — including Jaren Cole and Carol Stanton — joined Collins in describing the field as a longstanding community outlet and asked the city to help keep the organization intact.
In response, city staff (identified in the meeting as Heidi) said crews would pick up debris from the demolition area, would look into installing hand‑washing stations or similar fixtures, and would consider providing locks and keys so authorized T‑Birds volunteers could secure the porta‑potties during practices. Staff also said the city could make arrangements for temporary use of restrooms at the nearby Boys & Girls Club while renovation work is underway.
No formal council action was taken; the discussion generated direction from staff to investigate immediate sanitation and access fixes but did not produce a council vote. Speakers framed the issue as preserving a community youth program and ensuring basic health and safety during renovation.
Why it matters: The T‑Birds program serves many children and families in Pinellas Park; losing consistent access to a local practice field or safe restroom facilities could affect program operations and child safety.
Contact: Heidi (city staff) for follow‑up on temporary restroom and site‑cleanup plans.
Tia Collins, who identified herself as president of the Pinellas Park T‑Birds, said porta‑potties provided to the program ‘‘were very unsanitized’’ and left unlocked and accessible to passersby. She said the team’s practices draw about 150 children and families and that the water had been turned off because of demolition work, which she described as a hazard for families and children. Several other residents — including Jaren Cole and Carol Stanton — joined Collins in describing the field as a longstanding community outlet and asked the city to help keep the organization intact.
In response, city staff (identified in the meeting as Heidi) said crews would pick up debris from the demolition area, would look into installing hand‑washing stations or similar fixtures, and would consider providing locks and keys so authorized T‑Birds volunteers could secure the porta‑potties during practices. Staff also said the city could make arrangements for temporary use of restrooms at the nearby Boys & Girls Club while renovation work is underway.
No formal council action was taken; the discussion generated direction from staff to investigate immediate sanitation and access fixes but did not produce a council vote. Speakers framed the issue as preserving a community youth program and ensuring basic health and safety during renovation.
Why it matters: The T‑Birds program serves many children and families in Pinellas Park; losing consistent access to a local practice field or safe restroom facilities could affect program operations and child safety.
Contact: Heidi (city staff) for follow‑up on temporary restroom and site‑cleanup plans.
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