Urban life is kid stuff for some residents

[bobliocatt]

Brenna Dukes, 2, plays in a sandbox atop her parents' townhouse in downtown St. Petersburg on Wednesday afternoon. Brenna and her parents, Kelli and Lyman Dukes, live at Straub Court.

By MELANIE AVE, Times Staff Writer

Published April 24, 2005

More people are migrating to downtown, where relatively few children live. But for some parents raising kids there, the diversity and activities it offers outweigh the challenges.

For full article, click on link:

http://www.sptimes.com/2005/04/24/Southpin...s_kid_stu.shtml

[asonj23]

Now that's what I like to see. Start the kids young and they will follow suite.

[Aessotariq]

How inspiring! This is great. For all the naysayers out there, it is possible to raise a family in the city. What a fantastic view, too.

[bobliocatt]

This is a great article. To become true 24/7 vibrant activity centers, all of our downtowns must find and establish ways to attract families to the core, as well as the young professionals and empty nesters.

[Aessotariq]

That's where the school districts need to step up to the plate. They should be much more involved in the urban planning process with their local city councils/county commissions, rather than operating in a vacuum. I think this is a huge shift in thinking for them that they just haven't caught onto yet. Downtowns can attract more families if there are high quality, safe schools to send their children to.

For pre-schoolers, employers downtown can also help by providing daycare or aftercare on site (or someplace close), and other services that benefit families.