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Bern's Park dedication is on the horizon

Staff photo by JAY CONNER

Work continues on the fountain at Bern's Park scheduled to open next month.

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By GEORGE WILKENS

gwilkens@tampatrib.com

Published: October 26, 2009

TAMPA - Long-awaited improvements to a park renamed six years ago to honor restaurateur Bern Laxer are nearing completion, with a dedication ceremony expected next month, city officials say.

The triangular half-acre park bounded by Howard, Hills and DeSoto avenues in South Tampa was known as Luna Park until March 2003, when then-Mayor Dick Greco joined with others to rename it for the founder of Bern's Steak House, at 1208 S. Howard Ave., who died Aug. 31, 2002.

The city, civic associations, business owners and the Laxer family have transformed a grassy patch into an elaborate park highlighted by a two-tier fountain topped with a bronze sculpture donated by David and Chrisi Laxer.

The initial phase of the park project includes decorative sidewalks etched with brick, decorative benches, trash receptacles, lighting, irrigation and the centerpiece fountain and sculpture.

The sculpture, "The Three Graces," is a life-size trio of women clutching grapes and wearing flowing dresses.

The median landscaping on DeSoto Avenue, completed in 2006, also was part of the $185,200 contract the city awarded for the initial phase of the project.

Last week workers were finishing the fountain, adding tile and lights.

"It's been a real nice community effort, and the excitement is building as completion nears," said Laurie Potier-Brown, a landscape architect and planner with Tampa's parks department.

Budget constraints threaten to delay the second phase of the project, which calls for palm trees, more landscaping, a low curving brick wall and matching entry columns, Potier-Brown said.

Bern's Steakhouse is widely known for its wine collection and aged beef.

George Wilkens

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