The Pier Approach is a 20-acre former parking lot between St. Petersburg’s downtown and central pier. W’s design creates seamless yet varied experience connecting the city with the Tampa Bay. The the park provides three interlinked pedestrian experiences that encourage people to enjoy the area on foot: an urban pedestrian spine that reaches from the downtown to the pierhead, a family-oriented park, and enlivened waterfront edges. With more than 5,300 feet of water frontage, these hard and soft edges provide a variety of settings for gathering and interacting with the water.

What was once an area dominated by streets and parking is now a new civic heart for the city. The family park features ‘Bending Arch’ by Janet Echeleman, a large sculpture that floats over the central lawn. Surrounding it are stormwater gardens, a unique children’s playscape, as well as picnic and cafe spaces. The design is a result of a robust community engagement process spanning several years.