We love our neighborhoods in St. Pete! This appreciation is easy to understand. Distinctive neighborhoods can provide a sense of family, community, and connection that may be hard to find in a large city. From pink streets to brick avenues, charming bungalows to shiny high rises, and everything in-between, St. Pete has a neighborhood that will make you feel at home. From time to time, we will celebrate the vibrancy of these diverse mini-communities by featuring one of the many Neighborhood Associations (NA) devoted to enhancing the quality of life within their neighborhoods and the city as a whole.
Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association
This month we’re taking a closer look at the Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association (HKNA). First developed in 1912 on the site of a former avocado orchard, by 1950 Kenwood’s bungalows housed many of the city’s year-long residents. In the decades following, however, new subdivisions (complete with air-conditioning!) beckoned and Kenwood began to fall into decline. Then in 1990, a determined group of homeowners came together to form an association dedicated to restoration and revitalization. With a little help from the City of St. Petersburg, the neighborhood association implemented a plan that rejuvenated the community and helped guide Historic Kenwood’s remarkable renaissance. This year, that organization – the HKNA – celebrates its 30th anniversary with a slate of events designed to highlight “How Art and Architecture Transformed a Neighborhood.”
Neighborhood of the Arts
If you’ve ever strolled or driven through Historic Kenwood (HK), then you’ve experienced the charm of the iconic bungalows and midcentury houses along the oak-lined avenues. The HKNA’s work in getting Historic Kenwood added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, helps to ensure that charm remains. “Bungalowfest”, which the HKNA sponsors each November, also supports these efforts by offering tour-goers a chance to peek inside some of the renovated holiday-decorated bungalows. But the architecture is not the only thing that draws people to the neighborhood. The HKNA also supports the idea that art and artists are not just welcome in the community; they are essential contributors to the vibrant, creative, diverse neighborhood culture. This support led to HK’s designation as an “Artist Enclave” by the City of St. Pete, enabling artists to teach classes and sell artwork from their homes. For the past five years, those artists have done their part to celebrate this neighborhood of arts by opening up their living/working spaces FREE to art-lovers. (UPDATED 3/17/20) This year’s “Artist At Work in Historic Kenwood” event has been canceled due to the current health crisis. Stay tuned to www.historickenwood.org for updates on future events.
For more info and a tour map, visit kenwoodartistenclave.org
The HKNA is also an active member of CONA—the all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that represents over 40 neighborhood and civic associations throughout the city. CONA plays a vital role in strengthening and advocating for St. Pete’s neighborhoods via their many initiatives and activities with an ultimate goal of building a safe, harmonious city which meets the current and future needs of our diverse community. For additional information, please visit them at www.stpetecona.org or www.facebook.com/CONA.StPete
