Lake Belleview

Lake Belleview, also known as “Lake Bellevue” on Google Maps and the “Belle” by longtime locals, is the hub of our neighborhood.

Lake Belleview is a 30-acre, spring-fed freshwater lake. It is a habitat for native plants, migrating birds, and indigenous animals and fish. Its presence enhances the quality of life for everyone and everything around it. It is a headwater resource that flows throughout the City of Clearwater.

The restoration of Lake Belleview has become a rallying activity in the neighborhood.

Community Service Foundation, a long-time community partner, has created a Neighborhood Improvement Action Plan, which includes the restoration of Lake Belleview. Their efforts can be seen at:

https://www.csfhome.org/restore-lake-belleview/

In 2020, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) created a satellite office in our neighborhood, and they noticed how much trash would accumulate around the lake. They brought it up to the City of Clearwater. Hence the "Adopt-a-Park Clean Up" lead by the Clearwater Marine Aquarium was born. Their cleanup event page can be found at https://www.givepulse.com/event/228800-Lake-Bellevue-Adopt-a-Park-Clean-Ups-with-Clearwater-Aquarium

Generally, cleanups are on the 1st Saturday of each month, but occasionally the schedule must be shifted to accommodate CMA's main environmental activities.

The Community Service Foundation has been circulating a petition for the restoration of Lake Belleview. The petition can be seen at:

https://www.csfhome.org/restore-lake-belleview/


In summary, restoring Lake Belleview means restoring it to:

  • A freshwater reserve for City residents during extreme droughts.

  • A learning laboratory for environmental education.

  • A recreational oasis preserved for future generations of the community.

Restoring Lake Belleview will require:

  • Monitoring water quality.

  • Managing invasive plants, trash and other pollution.

  • Enhancing access to on-water activity.


Many good things are going on to restore the “Belle”:

  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) Sea Turtle Conservation Program staff lead monthly clean ups on the 1st Saturday of each month from 9-11 a.m.

  • CMA biologists also oversee water quality tests on a monthly basis.

  • Ross Norton Recreation Center staff provide environmental programming for youth attending summer camps.

  • City of Clearwater is managing the overgrowth of invasive vegetation.

  • A petition to address steps to restore the Belle was signed by over 600 neighbors and 25 businesses and submitted to the Mayor of the City of Clearwater on Earth Day 2021. Those signing the petition chose restoration, conservation and preservation over the status quo, and pledged to advocate for 5 goals:

    1. Creating ecology programs for youth.

    2. Taking water samples monthly in cooperation with Lake Watch, a University of Florida research program that will provide ongoing data to reveal the quality of water.

    3. Improving trash abatement throughout the neighborhood and around the lake.

    4. Soliciting the City of Clearwater to earmark funding to:

      • Seasonally manage overgrowth of invasive vegetation and monthly cleanup of trash in the water deposited by stormwater drains, and construct filters for stormwater drains to limit trash entering the lake.

      • Install kayak launch pad and a dock.

      • Create kiosks to inform walking trail participants about the habitat and lake.

    5. Install raised flower beds to enhance the beauty of the Lake and walking trail.