TAMPA - Long-awaited improvements to a park renamed six years ago to honor famed restaurateur Bern Laxer are nearing completion, with a dedication ceremony expected next month, city officials say.

The triangular half-acre park bounded by Howard, Hills and DeSoto avenues was known as Luna Park until March 2003, when then-Mayor Dick Greco joined with others to rename it for the founder of Bern's Steak House, who died Aug. 31, 2002.

Through a joint effort by the city, civic associations, business owners and the Laxer family, a grassy patch has been transformed into an elaborate park highlighted by a two-tier fountain topped with a bonze sculpture.

"Several neighborhood activists have been involved over the years and offered to activate fundraising efforts," said Laurie Potier-Brown, a landscape architect and planner with Tampa's parks department.

The initial phase of the park project includes decorative sidewalks etched with brick, decorative benches, trash receptacles, lighting, irrigation, and installation of the centerpiece fountain topped with the bronze sculpture donated by David and Chrisi Laxer.

Median landscaping on DeSoto Avenue, completed in 2006, also was part of the $185,200 contract the city awarded for the initial phase of the project.

Last week workers were completing the fountain, affixing tiles and installing lighting. Poitier-Brown estimated the dedication ceremony could take place in mid- to late November.

Hyde Park residents and local associations have provided suggestions, feedback and more. "It's been a real nice community effort, and the excitement is building as completion nears," said Potier-Brown.

The design for the park refurbishing was donated by landscape architect Randy Hollingsworth, who lived in Hyde Park before moving recently to Miami. Prior to the Bern's Park project, he spent seven years working on improvements to the nearby Kate Jackson Center and park, 821 S. Rome Ave.

City budget constraints threaten to delay the second phase of the project, which calls for palm trees, more landscaping, a low curving brick wall and matching entry columns, Potier-Brown said.

"We're pretty excited about the community offering to help out," as "phase two is just not on the horizon right now," she said.

Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association treasurer Barbara Deakin, involved with the project since its inception, said fundraising plans for the park include marketing bench plaques and engraved bricks bearing the name of the donor or a loved one.

Some proceeds from the association's annual Historic Hyde Park Home Tour also are pledged for second-phase park improvements. "We'd just want to see it go through and get completely built," she said.

The statue, "The Three Graces," is a life-size depiction of a trio of women wearing flowing dresses and clutching grapes. Bern's Steakhouse, 1208 S. Howard Ave., just blocks from the park, is widely known for its vast wine collection and aged beef.

The 6-foot-high work by the artist Karoy was cast in Romania in 2003, said Chrisi Laxer, daughter-in-law of the late Bern Laxer.

"We are very thankful of the honor, but we would definitely like to see it completed," she said of the phased project. "With the city, the neighborhood and commercial aspects, it should all come together, hopefully."

Reporter George Wilkens can be reached at (813) 259-7124.