community

Kensington Park was the inspirations and insight of the Paver family. You will learn more about them when you read the page "The beginning of Kensington Park".

Our community has 1130 homes which are single family dwellings. Since the late 1950's, units or sections of Kensington Park were systematically integrated to organize a totally self-sustaining family environment that totaled nine units. The original layout of Kensington Park had a planned community center and a recreational area that was designed as the activity hub. Families gathered in the indoor community center, an outdoor swimming pool and picnic area for memorable activities.

With the quickly expanding community, The Kensington Park Civic Association was formed to oversee the Park's welfare and activities. The Civic Association still exists today. Some of the history of The Association and Park activities are not only factual; but also, they make for entertaining reading.

February 21, 1958 was the first meeting of Kensington Park Civic Association which was held at The First Baptist Church on Lockwood Ridge Road and 81 residents attended the meeting. There were two units formed at that time, units one and two; and all homes were built in those units but not necessarily sold. Units three and four and the recreation center were under construction. Two hundred families lived in Kensington Park at that time. George Davidson formed the Association and became its first President. The discussions and concerns at the meeting were mail delivery at front door rather than dropping mail in the mail box at the recreation center. There was a request to establish a volunteer fire department, a request to pave the streets, complete the recreation center and a request was made to the Sheriff's Department to stop speeding in the Park. It has been mentioned that in that era there was a drinking fountain at the entrance of Monica Parkway and that the water was so good that people came from other areas and would fill their water containers to take with them. Kensington Park was considered the most prestigious area in Sarasota.

Through the years the torch has been passed to many new members of the Kensington Park Association and also its residents. The Park has been through many transitions and changes...some good...some bad. As residents of Kensington Park, in this year of 2007, we must still be vigilant in our efforts to maintain a safe and clean environment for the our Park. It is up to all of us to take part in this effort.