The 4th Annual Honey and Arts Festival officially reopened Raymond H. Neri Community Park on February 7th.

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Welcome to The Lealman Voice

Welcome to the Lealman Voice!

The Lealman Voice is all about keeping our community connected and informed. Each issue highlights local programs, events, and the people making a difference right here in Lealman. If you have neighborhood updates, upcoming activities, or success stories to share, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can keep the Lealman community strong, engaged, and moving forward.

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What's Happening @ LEX

View more events on the LEX Community Calendar!

Park dedication, honey festival open a new era for Lealman

Via St. Pete Catalyst

The long-gestating renovation of Lealman’s 38-acre Raymond H. Neri Park was unveiled Saturday, a $10 million investment by Pinellas County government in the future of the unincorporated and historically underserved district.

The ribbon-cutting was followed by the fourth annual Honey & Arts Festival, on the massive athletic fields (re-planted with new grass) near the new playgrounds, adult fitness equipment, dog parks and improved trails. There are picnic shelters and public restrooms.

The work, paid for with Penny For Pinellas dollars, along with state and federal funding, includes improved access to the former Joe’s Creek Greenway Park, behind the Lealman Exchange community services building at 175 45th Street N. in St. Petersburg.

Its official address is 4300 Duval Park Blvd., and it’s open to the public from 7 a.m. to sunset daily.

“This community had such potential,” Pinellas County Commission Chair Dave Eggers told the Catalyst. “It just needed some help – infrastructure help and services help. It just needed that lifting up.”

Partner Programs @ LEX

Spotlight: Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Family Center

The Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Family Center (LANFC) provides programs and services for youth, adults, and families.  Multi-lingual support available.  The Senior Utility Assistance Program is currently open for our neighbors in need.  Appointment registrations are also open for the free VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) program.   

LANFC is located at 4255 56th Avenue North.  More info can be found here or by calling 727-528-7891.  Learn more about all the ways LANFC is here for you and your family!

Leadership St. Pete community project to benefit family center

Via St. Pete Catalyst

Annual community projects are a cornerstone of the Leadership St. Pete program – a six-month experience that supports local business professionals. 

The Class of 2026 selected the Lealman and Asian Neighborhood Family Center for this year’s effort. 

Founded in 2001, the nonprofit offers a variety of services for adults and children. These include a food pantry, tax filing assistance, a computer lab and language classes for individuals who are learning to speak English. 

Additionally, LANFC oversees youth programs including after-school care and a summer camp. 

“I think part of the reason that the class selected the organization was that, at least during one of the site visits, there were neighborhood people coming in and asking for food,” said LSP Class of 2026 chair Debbie Viveiros. “I think seeing it firsthand really touched many hearts.” 

She added that Lealman “doesn’t get as much of the spotlight as some of our other areas in need” and bringing “awareness” to the community was attractive. 

LANFC executive director Donna McGill said that the initiative will consist of renovating the facility’s playground area and enhancing the front entrance. Additionally, the existing deck that leads to the playground will be replaced due to rotting boards. 

“The first and most important thing this project will do is keep our kids safe,” she explained. “They have been in school all day long and they want to get out and run. Right now, we have to make sure that we are walking them around the cones where the boards are.” 

Choosing LANFC was a multi-step process. It started with an open application that was offered to nonprofits in the St. Petersburg area, Viveiros said. 

The Raymond H. Neri Community Park Refresh 

After months of renovations, Lealman's signature greenspace has reopened for the community to enjoy.  The project added a children’s playground, adult fitness course, picnic shelters, restroom, open playfield, new landscaping, parking areas, and new and resurfaced trails.  

The park's new official address is 4300 Duval Park Blvd, behind the Lealman Exchange Community Center.  

The dog park, east pedestrian bridge, and southeast pedestrian entrance to the park are scheduled to open in April 2026.   

Neri Park first opened in 2005 on 38 acres as Joe’s Creek Greenway Park. It was renamed in 2018 for civic leader Raymond H. Neri, who spearheaded many of Lealman’s economic and civic efforts.  It reopened in February 2026 with a ribbon cutting attended by residents, community leaders, and the late Ray Neri's family.

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