With the ample park space provided by the beautiful waterfront parks, we’re able to put on a wide variety of events that bring the community together and give the parks a sentimental role in the lives of every St. Pete-ian. Check out some of our upcoming/previous events!

2023 Picnic Land

Saturday, November 18, 2023 was an excellent day for the Waterfront Parks Foundation (WPF)! The weather was perfect, and the crowd was in a great mood at our inaugural Picnic Land event, as St. Petersburg friends and families joined in creating a new record for the Longest Picnic Blanket in the U.S. at Flora Wylie Park.

“Our original lofty goal was to break the World Record for the Longest Picnic Blanket. While we missed that goal, we set the new U.S. record instead!” exclaimed WPF President Logan DeVicente. Nearly 2,000 picnic lovers filled the winding, continuous rows of colorful picnic blankets for almost the entire length of Flora Wylie Park.”

“Picnic Land is a co-sponsored City event,” added Mr. DeVicente. “Guests enjoyed great weather and the terrific waterfront park setting that provided family-friendly games and children’s activities, food trucks, live music, professional storytellers, a magician, and an early visit by Santa.”

Over 400 Blankets!

“Picnic Land is a wonderful reminder that our waterfront parks are meant to bring people together to relax and enjoy this magnificent asset that makes St. Petersburg so special,” remarked Gina Driscoll, St. Petersburg City Council Member, District 6. “We are fortunate to have the Waterfront Parks Foundation as a partner working tirelessly to protect, beautify, and celebrate our parks.”

“It was amazing to see the 416 registered blankets filled with families and friends stretch over three-quarters of a mile for 4,160 feet of fun,” added Mr. DeVicente. “Every registration included a large souvenir blanket for family enjoyment year-round.”

Although the record-breaking attempt adds a fun element, Picnic Land is about more than breaking records. It’s the perfect community builder, where each year, we can invite all the residents of St. Petersburg to gather and appreciate our access to the many features of our 12 continuous downtown waterfront parks.

Donation Matching

Another crucial aspect of the event is to encourage financial support for the works of the WPF. This year, we have a uniquely significant opportunity to double our financial support: thanks to the overwhelming generosity of the Majeed Foundation, we have been offered the Majeed Match: all donations made will be matched dollar-for-dollar until donations reach $1 million! WPF aims to use these gifts to create an endowment to fund future parkland beautification projects. Please consider making a donation to support the WPF mission.

WPF Mission

For over a decade, the Waterfront Parks Foundation has worked to preserve, protect, and promote St. Petersburg’s award-winning waterfront parks system in partnership with our City’s Parks and Recreation Department. Our Foundation, together with the unwavering support of the Majeed Foundation, continues to beautify the parks with rotating flower beds, add new “dark sky” lighting, hold numerous park clean-ups, and develop and install multiple park swings and benches for the enjoyment of all. If you joined us at Picnic Land 2023, we thank you for your participation, and we welcome your attendance next year, as well as your financial support, your volunteer assistance, and your feedback throughout the year, all of which are vital to preserving our magnificent waterfront parks.

2019 Champagne Shuffle

Nearly 200 Waterfront Parks supporters turned out on April 7, 2019 for the 2019 Champagne Shuffle, held at the historic St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club. Adult guests were treated to a sample of champagne and all enjoyed drinks and appetizers offered by Orange Blossom Catering and Maggie’s on the Move food truck.  

The event was co-chaired by WPF Board Members Don Howe and Charlie Osterholt. “We so appreciated the amazing turnout—thanks to all the supporters who joined us for a gorgeous afternoon,” Charlie remarked. 

“The complimentary glass of champagne was a real hit with the crowd,” Don responded. “Everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves.” 

Opportunity drawings and a “Push for the Parks” competition provided chances to win magnums of champagne and a family membership to the St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club, and most of the crowd participated in main event: a round-robin shuffleboard tournament, which provided many guests with their first experience at the game. By day’s end, several guests had purchased memberships to the Shuffleboard Club, so it was a win-win all around. Many also took the opportunity to contribute to the $15,000 matching campaign to benefit the Waterfront Parks Foundation, which successfully ended on April 30.  

We look forward to seeing you at the next event!