Demolition begins at Walden Pond Mobile Home Park

By Robert Napper, Times Correspondent Robert NapperTampa Bay Times In Print: Wednesday, November 14, 2012

NEW PORT RICHEY Michael Stanley's mobile home sits in the heart of a city demolition zone. But he's not going anywhere.

As crews Tuesday began razing the first of 50-some crumbling units in the Walden Pond Mobile Home Park, Stanley watched with relief as the heavy machinery turned trailers across from his home into metal toothpicks.

"It already looks like a war zone, so how is this going to be any worse?" he said. "It's just good to see some improvement."

Stanley, 50, a retired electrician, is one of a handful of residents still living in the dilapidated park off Oelsner Drive, just west of U.S. 19, and soon his mobile home will be one of the few left standing. About 10 units still have either owners or renters living in them and will be spared in the city-mandated cleanup.

The demolition came after months of wrangling between city officials and the park owner, Walden Pond LLC, which sent letters to residents in July telling them the park was closing and they had to leave.

Walden Pond managing partner Paul Beraquit has told the City Council that residents had stopped paying rent and his partnership tried to close the park for financial reasons. City officials said the park failed to follow proper eviction procedures. Some residents stayed, some left, and looters began tearing up empty units for scrap.

Stanley stayed behind because he owns his mobile home and it can't be moved from its concrete slab. He bought it 10 years ago and shares it with his 6-year-old son, Kody.

"It's the only home my son has ever known," Stanley said. "I've not been made an offer that is anywhere close to fair. I'm not asking for anything more than what's fair."

In the meantime, the park owners removed a Dumpster from the property, resulting in the accumulation of a fetid heap that city crews removed in September, at a cost of about $2,000.

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Demolition begins at Walden Pond Mobile Home Park