Islamorada’s expansive, natural and arguably best park could be in line for tens of millions of dollars in upgrades and new development in the next decade.
That’s according to a new Founders Park master plan formulated by a consulting firm the village hired last year to engage with the public on priorities and devise plans for potential improvements and new amenities.
Representatives with the Miami-based Miller Legg firm presented Islamorada council members with the final plan during an Oct. 8 meeting at the Founders Park Community Center. Jack Kardys, Miller Legg senior recreational planner, said he was particularly impressed with the public engagement throughout the process. A total of 860 surveys were completed by the public, equating to 12% of the village population.
“We typically get 1-2% response rates,” said Kardys, adding they were told by residents not to change much at the outset. “And there really isn’t a whole lot that needs to be changed with this park.”
Survey responses detailed enhancing the beach area, potentially adding butterfly gardens and trails and enhancing the marina operation.
In the end, Miller Legg outlined four phases of improvements and new additions to the park over 10 to 15 years at a $22 million price tag.
Phase one proposed to expand the entrance into the park from one to two lanes. One lane would be for village residents who enter for free, while another lane would be for visitors paying their way into the park.
Liudmila Fuentes, project manager with Miller Legg, said the entrance could be automated, with either vehicle license plates or cards being scanned during the week. During the weekends, the main entrance could be staffed.
Phase one improvements include renovating the restroom at the beach, relocating the playground to where the sand volleyball court currently sits and adding artificial turf to the driving range. A putting green would be added near the driving range.
In total, phase one developments and improvements are estimated at $1.1 million.
Phase two details an entrance at the south end of the park that’s dedicated for marina, park maintenance and public works staff. Then there’s the multipurpose field used by various sports programs. The plan suggests an option for artificial turf, a topic that’s garnered much debate at the neighboring baseball field.
“That would help with the practice areas and expanding the time of practice and usage of the field,” Fuentes said.
Phase two also would improve the amphitheater’s backstage for improved parking and dropoff for equipment during concerts and events. There are also plans in phase two to reformat the marina parking and dock office. Costs associated with phase two of park upgrades total $1.8 million to $2.5 million.
Phase three details an outdoor gym – with a roof but no walls, allowing air circulation – for two basketball courts, eight pickleball courts, two volleyball courts and bleachers, near the community center. It also proposes moving public works maintenance equipment from the current location near the community center to the south end of the park. Plans also show multipurpose path connections and a pedestrian entrance to the neighboring preserve. These improvements, which could take place over seven to 10 years, would cost $7.2 million.
The final phase details expanding the community center to two stories to provide an indoor recreation center on the first floor and office space on the second story. In addition to expanding to a 15,000-square foot facility, the final phase shows 50 additional parking spaces and improved service dropoff, of which all would cost $11.8 million.
Mayor Sharon Mahoney questioned who omitted the baseball field and marina from the master plan.
“I never got the answer, so I’m just going to let that go for now,” she said.
Mahoney added that the master plan is essentially a wish list of improvements they could consider in the future.
“It’s a lot of money. We better have a big piggybank to do all this stuff,” she said.
Councilwoman Deb Gillis said a master plan makes securing grant funds and other sources a little easier.
“Even if we don’t ever do all of it, there are pieces we could and should do,” she said.
