Belmont Park is a fee-free park designed for anytime use. It is under the management of the Ross Norton Recreation Center. It can also be rented for tournaments and scheduled events. For more information contact Ross Norton Recreation Center in person at:

1426 S Martin Luther King Jr Ave

or call at (727) 562-4380

by Trudy Kelly of the Clearwater Historical Society

Introduction

In 1927, residents of a “narrow strip of land” (Belmont subdivision) between Clearwater and the corporate limits of Largo asked to be annexed to Clearwater. In exchange for being taken into the city, they would have water, gas, fire protection, police protection, and other advantages from the city. This would be given to the residents who would pay through their taxes.

Citizens said they were “looking forward with great interest to the time, we hope not far off, when this section will be taken into the city, giving us all modern conveniences for the health, safety and beautification of our homes.” Victory was predicted.

A vote in Clearwater and Belmont was held on April 12, 1927. The vote had to be a 2/3 majority in favor of the annexation in both places. Unfortunately for Belmont, the vote went down. The reason given was not many voters in Clearwater showed up to vote. 25 were in favor and 17 opposed it. This was out of 3,000 registered voters.

The vote in Belmont also went down. The registration officer said there was little interest in the election. Ten voters out of 16 were in favor, three were against it and three votes were mutilated, so three votes were lacking for it to pass. There were between 800 and 900 voters eligible to vote if they had registered.

Voters were confused and didn’t know if the votes would be lumped together or if each balloting place would turn in its own returns. The city attorney said the measure must be passed at each place.

The lack of votes was blamed on the lethargy of the voters as many favored the annexation but were not interested enough to vote.

Voters and city officials were both surprised by the outcome. They were so sure the proposition would be passed that the committee of city commissioners had already looked over the ground to see where a water main could be extended to serve the new section.

I was not able to find the exact date when Belmont was annexed to Clearwater.

Belmont’s First Park

On March 18, 1925, Belmont Methodist Church was built in one day at Tilley and Howard Streets. The style was called a “Bungalow Methodist Church”.

On April 17, 1931, a park called Belmont Park was dedicated on the property of the church.

In June 1945, a new church was erected on the same property. In 2001, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church merged with Belmont United Methodist Church and took the Mt. Zion name. The Mt. Zion UMC is now on Union Street, Clearwater. Bayview Baptist Church moved into the church on Howard Street.

Belmont Park on Greenwood Avenue (now MLK, Jr.)

Starting around 1938 the Belmont Playground (1535 Greenwood Ave.) was used for Clearwater sports and recreation.

The following timeline shows how the park was used and some of the interesting history:

Belmont Park History

Date unknown – Beginning of Belmont Park (formally dedicated in 1979)

November, 1938 – Parks department was taken over by the City Commission. The following areas were not to be included in the Parks Department: Brooklyn Field, Green Field, Belmont Park, City Park Auditorium grounds, Seminole Park and the colored athletic field.

Jul 30, 1939 - First date in newspaper reporting Belmont Playground scheduled for Clearwater sports

April 5, 1945 - Former building used by the Elks lodge as a dance hall was moved to the Belmont recreation park, off Howard Street

June 29, 1951 - Lakers and Belmont teams played for the Clearwater Recreation League.

November, 1953 - Property adjacent to the Belmont Park was purchased for $2,000.

March, 1954 – Parking area was cleared and surfaced with oyster shell parking area near Belmont Field

Feb. 13, 1956 - Belmont Park recreation field offered free chest x-rays to check for tuberculosis

March 6, 1960 - 3-6, & 7-9:30 Playground activities, Belmont

August 7, 1960 – Girls League Baseball (ages 8-14)

February, 1961 – A water tank was proposed to be located in a portion of the parking lot at the Belmont playground.

March, 1961 – Complaints of installation of water tank at Belmont Park, decided to move the water tank to Ross Norton Park, complaints concerning parking situation, lack of restroom facilities, and big flood lights on all night at Belmont Park. Request recommendations for the Belmont Park area.

April, 1961 - 3-6, 7-9 Playground activities, Saturdays 9-12, 2-5 Playground activities

May, 1961 – Construction of two baseball diamonds for the Pony League adjacent to the present Little League diamond at Belmont Park at a cost of $3600.

July, 30, 1961 – Church Softball League Games

Sept 25, 1962 - Clearwater budget included reconstruction of the Belmont Park recreation building

Nov 3, 1963 - Beginning sewing (Monday 9-12) and Intermediate sewing (Tuesday 9-12), Saturday morning, 12-week Judo class 9 o’clock ages 10-16

January, 1964 – Clothing construction courses offered at Belmont Park, adult dance classes Wednesdays, 8-11 PM.

May 17, 1964 - Church league slow pitch softball, arts & crafts for children

June 18, 1964 -Belmont Park used for Clearwater summer recreation

August, 1964 – City Commission approved a bid of $4,415 for a recreation building at Belmont Park.

August 30, 1964 - Vocational, technical, and adult education location directory – Belmont Park recreation center 15253 Greenwood Ave, Clearwater

Sept 4, 1964 - Article titled “Keep Them Busy, Out of Trouble” about Spike Brasfield, assistant Director of Belmont Park Recreation Center, he supervised baseball, volleyball and basketball games, cookouts, told that Herb Dudley and Joe Everett and other members of the Clearwater Bombers came and taught baseball

February, 1977 – Information regarding proposed use of Belmont Park. Current city plans to utilize this area as a soccer/softball complex.

October, 1979 – Since Belmont Park is dissected by the parking lot, it presents a safety hazard for people using the park.

November 15, 1979 - Belmont Park formally dedicated even though the park was already being used as a park

February, 1980 – Removed basketball court and installed sod and irrigation, that improved open playfield suitable for soccer, football, softball and rugby

March, 1981 – Belmont park received new fencing and light fixtures. The park was expected to be heavily used by local soccer programs as well as football, rugby, and softball. Minimum sodding and some landscaping were needed to complete the project.

June, 1996 – Tour by Parks and Recreation Board to Clearwater parks and recreation facilities that included Belmont Park.

October, 2010 – Parks & Recreation department wanted to seek partners to maintain and schedule some ball fields, including Belmont.

July, 2013 - Belmont Park was one of the “neighborhood parks” in Clearwater

June, 2021 – Neighborhood park bathrooms were not open because of the cost of cleaning them. Those reserving a shelter at a park could obtain a key to the park restroom.

June, 2021 – Belmont Park Site Improvements, proposed at a cost of $395,875.98.

November 10, 2021 – Taking bids for fixing Belmont Park Irrigation System

March 26. 2022 – Belmont Park Reopening-Neighborhood Day

Notes from Facebook: There was a grocery store behind home plate (Sinclair’s?), and wooden bleachers for spectators.