A small Key Largo Park has a new name in honor of the late Mike Forster.
At a recent meeting, Monroe County commissioners approved renaming Sunset Point Park in memory of Forster, who passed away Sept. 6, 2021. The now Mike Forster Memorial Park is located at 20 Sunset Road in Key Largo.
As commissioner, Forster fought to alleviate serious congestion and overcrowding of day trippers and boat trailers within the Bay Harbor and Sunset Point subdivisions, which contain the park on Sunset Drive and another down the road on North Bay Drive. Not only did the park on North Bay Harbor Drive get shut down from July 4 through Labor Day to give residents in the area peace, but no-parking signs with $200 fines were erected up and down streets to lessen traffic.
Once a hidden gem, the park on Bay Drive has evolved into a popular spot. It’s located next to a larger private park that members of the local homeowners association use.
With a small ramp for boats and watercraft, and just a few spots for boat trailers, Sunset Point Park, now the Mike Forster Memorial Park, remained open as the Bay Drive property stayed closed.
Forster was elected to represent County Commission District 5 in the Upper Keys in November 2020 and had been a long-time Upper Keys resident and businessman. Prior to running for the county commission, he served five terms on the Islamorada Village Council, including two terms as mayor, and was heavily involved in the community.
“The community will remember Commissioner Forster for always stepping up to do whatever it took to get something accomplished, as shown by his wonderful, charitable spirit,” said Monroe County Mayor Michelle Coldiron. “He took the lead on addressing the many issues and safety concerns affecting the surrounding neighborhoods of this park and that will not be forgotten.”
Mike Forster Memorial Park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
