The Ray Neri Dog Parks are now open!

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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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Dog Parks Now Open at Ray Neri Park

Lealman's four-legged residents have a new place to play. The dog parks at Ray Neri Park are now open.

To keep dogs safe and comfortable, the park includes two separate fenced areas. The small dog park is for dogs up to 20 pounds, and the large dog park is for dogs over 20 pounds.

Visitors will notice a two-gate entry system at each park. The "airlock" style entrance lets owners leash and unleash their pets in an enclosed space before entering or exiting the main area, helping prevent accidental escapes.

Before visiting, residents should keep a few rules in mind. Dogs must be licensed, vaccinated and wearing current tags. They must remain leashed when entering and leaving the park, and owners must stay with their dogs and keep them under control at all times. Owners are also responsible for cleaning up after their pets and disposing of waste properly.

Aggressive dogs, dogs in heat and puppies under four months old are not permitted. Food and smoking are not allowed inside the fenced areas, and owners should address excessive barking, digging or other disruptive behavior.

The dog parks are a welcome new amenity for Lealman residents and their pets. Following the rules will help keep the parks safe, clean and enjoyable for everyone.

What's Happening @ LEX

View more events on the LEX Community Calendar!

Summer Reading

Lealman Exchange is a satellite library branch in the PPLC system. That means you can route books to be picked up at the front desk, return any library book, get a library card, and pick up your game card and prizes for the Summer Reading program!

Reading With the Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays, Suncoast Credit Union and your local library are bringing fun and excitement to summer reading.

The rules are simple. Pick up a game card at any Pinellas Public Library, then read favorite books, magazines, newspapers or e-books throughout the summer. As they read, kids can track their hours on the game card by rounding the bases. Each base reached makes them eligible for prizes from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Download your game card or find more information for Reading With the Rays.

Score Through Stories With the Rowdies

This summer, the Tampa Bay Rowdies and your local library are inviting kids to join Score Through Stories, now available countywide for the first time.

Kids can pick up a game card at any Pinellas Public Library and spend the summer exploring books, comics, magazines, newspapers and e-books. Every time they read, they move closer to their next goal and unlock prizes along the way.

Whether reading at home, at the beach or on the go, every page helps kids score big this summer.

Partner Programs @ LEX

Wounded Warriors Abilities Ranch invites you to a free Adaptive Sports Expo happening Friday, June 26th from 10am-2pm at the Lealman Exchange.  Experience sports like rugby, archery, and pickleball from an adaptive athlete's perspective.  Includes a free lunch.  Sign up here.

Ready, Set, Hired!

In a few weeks, Lealman Exchange will host "Ready, Set, Hired!!" presented by Daystar Academy and its community partners. This event focuses on filling the gaps to employment. Whether that's a first-time job, re-entering the job market after time away from employment, or finding that next "great" position, this will be a must-attend event.

Resources and Vendors include:

• Mock/Coaching Interviews/Resume Assistance

• Hiring Opportunities

• Short term Educational Opportunities that can lead to near-term employment 

• Employment Agencies

• PSTA Assistance 

• Childcare Providers 

Mark your calendars for July 8, 2026 from 4pm - 7pm at the Lealman Exchange - 5175 45th Street North.

County approves federal funding for waterway projects

At its Tuesday meeting, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program grant agreement with the U.S Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. 

This will help restore and stabilize various channels, including Curlew Creek, Bee Branch, Channel R and Joe’s Creek, throughout unincorporated Pinellas County. These waterways were damaged during Hurricane Milton in 2024. 

Furthermore, it could help businesses and residents save millions of dollars in potential future losses. 

According to a County document, EWP is an emergency recovery program that assists “communities in recovering from natural disasters.” An application to receive funds was submitted in November 2024. 

“To restore those channels, you have to go through a federal process to get approval for that work, but also to get funding for that work,” Pinellas County public works director Kelli Hammer Levy explained at the Tuesday meeting. “Instead of going to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), they require that you first go to the Natural Resources Conservation Service to request that funding.” 

The County will receive approximately $29 million for the effort. This will include about $26.8 million for construction and $2.7 million for technical services. The federal government will cover 100% of the construction costs. 

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