The City of Palm Coast announce the successful grand opening of the highly anticipated Southern Recreation Center and new Lehigh Trailhead. The grand opening ceremony took place on Friday afternoon, drawing in hundreds of excited residents who gathered to celebrate and explore the new facilities. (See: “Palm Coast’s $13.7 Million Southern Recreation Center: A Facility Designed for Way More than Pickleball and Tennis.”)
The event marked a significant milestone for the community, as these recreational amenities have been in the works since 2017 as part of the City Council’s Strategic Action Plan priorities. City staff expressed immense joy and satisfaction at the realization of this long-awaited project.
City of Palm Coast Assistant City Manager Lauren Johnston opened the ceremony by welcoming guests and sharing her personal connection to this project. She shared, “For me personally, this moment holds a special significance. Having served as the Director of Parks and Recreation during the early stages of this project, seeing it come to fruition today is nothing short of a dream realized. These spaces hold a special place in my heart, and I am profoundly proud to witness their opening.”
She went on to thank the many organizations that allowed this project to come to fruition. “I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to express our appreciation to the Palm Coast City Council, the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners, the Flagler County Tourist Development Council, the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Power and Light, and Friends of Tennis. Your belief in our vision and your commitment to our community has been instrumental in making these projects a reality.”
Mayor David Alfin then spoke about the rich sports history the City of Palm Coast is proud of and how this new destination will further enhance the community experience. He said, “Today is one of those landmark occasions that residents of Palm Coast will remember forever. As the proud Mayor of this City, I welcome all of you to experience your awesome new Southern Recreation Center and Lehigh Trailhead. You’ll find this facility to be the ultimate space to play, learn, de-stress, and connect.”
He concluded his comments by sharing a quote. “I’d like to conclude my address with this quote: ‘Community recreation centers are vital third spaces. They’re not work, they’re not home. They’re amazing places where groups of people can learn, de-stress, and connect.’ Tonight, let’s dedicate this Southern Recreation Center as your Third Space in Palm Coast. A trio of life’s fulfillments.”
Flagler County Board of County Commissioners Chair Andy Dance, who also serves as Chair of the Flagler County Tourist Development Council, spoke briefly as the rain began to fall about these incredible recreational amenities and his personal use of the trail system as an avid bicyclist.
Unfortunately, due to poor weather, scheduled speeches from the architect for the Southern Recreation Center, Sam Elsheikh with OLC, contractor Ty Bliss with Gilbane, and Paul Culver with Culver Construction were unable to proceed as attendees were welcomed indoors.
Attendees had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art Southern Recreation Center, which merges the existing tennis center with twelve pickleball courts, six of which are covered for year-round use. The facility also includes public access to 2 multi-purpose rooms, lobby space, exterior patios and balconies, and locker rooms with showers. Concession services will be provided by Redefined Food Company beginning in March, and samples were offered at the grand opening.
Despite the poor weather, attendees also got their first look at the new Lehigh Trailhead, which includes ADA-compliant paved parking lot with over 70 new spaces, a restroom building, community gardens with six ADA plots and 12 standard plots, a large and small dog park, and enhanced lighting, utilities, pavilions, benches, and sidewalks.
“The grand opening of the Southern Recreation Center and new Lehigh Trailhead signifies a significant achievement for our community,” said Mayor Alfin. “These facilities will not only enhance the quality of life for our residents but also promote health, wellness, and outdoor recreation opportunities for all.”
As of Saturday, February 24, 2024, both the Southern Recreation Center and Lehigh Trailhead are officially open to the public, inviting residents to enjoy and benefit from these valuable additions to the city’s recreational infrastructure.
The recreation center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Operating hours are subject to change as utilization of the facility is realized. For more information about the Southern Recreation Center, including program offerings, please visit parksandrec.fun.
A few pictures released by the city:
Dennis C Rathsam says
Do you wonder why it rained on Stuff Em Alvin,s parade!!!! Take a bow, Mr Mayor, It will surly be your last! Residents have seen your plan. Traffic sucks, tax payers are getting thier homes flooded, thanx to the realator from HELL! May god forgive you for destroying our city! How do you sleep at night knowing your greed is killing Palm Coast?
Celia Pugliese says
So nice to learn that hundreds of residents attended as Palmcoasters are amazing and were welcomed by very dedicated and informative city staff and very cordial as usual Mayor Alfin. as he said will be an asset for healthy sports practices and other related events. Appreciated to all involved and the residents contributions that funded it, as even if covered by grants and impact fees is all the same, just tax revenues. Now lets help preserve the Belle Terre School District so far owned pool, for the residents membership as is needed in our long hot summers for the elderly and the families with children that can’t afford a home pool. Thank you in advance to county, city and school board if this can be achieved as well.
Edward Adinaro says
How about telling us where the place is.
whiplash says
While I believe that the new rec center is a good thing for the community, it should not have been a priority of City Council! Our roads are crumbling before our eyes, houses are flooding due to new construction and other utilities are in dire straits. This is not the same community I moved to seven years ago! Which is why we are seriously looking at moving out of Flagler County!
Angie says
Great. We now have another want to have instead of a need to have. As a streets and properties that now flood due to all of the building going on and having a Realtor as a Mayor is such a conflict of interest. The people of Palm Coast have themselves to blame. You put him in there. I really think to have a Mayor for Palm Coast is a waste of taxpayers money. What we need is a strong City Manager. One with strong credentials. It is time for the people of Palm Coast to take our city back. The people running this city have ruined it. Now they want to raise our water bill again. Here is a thought double the impact fees on the builders. Then I find out that the Sheriffs department use their excess funds to buy Mustangs instead of up grading their system that communicates to the highway administration. Another want to have!! Now we are on a 5 year plan to get red lights in stalled at the 95 ramps coming on to Matanza Pkwy. The number of accidents reported to them is actually incorrect. It was the people in charge of our roads that made me aware Of the outdated equipment that is being used. We need to come together and oust all of them and start fresh. Study ones credentials before you vote. Time to unite,,
The dude says
“Study ones credentials before you vote.”
Interesting thought. Unfortunately all the old tribals in Palm Coast get all giddy and weak in the knees at anything MAGA, and will vote for it regardless of whether or not it’s actually in their own best interest.
Until this changes, there will be no change. MAGA refuses to ask the builders to pony up a fair amount in a timely manor for impact fees to offset the $$$ needed for infrastructure updates in order to handle all the influx of new residents in those houses Alfin is stuffing in.
I recently spoke to a foreign gentleman, an engineer living in Palm Coast. He told me his company and Palm Coast have big plans for the area west of the city. He claims that once the current plans are fully realized, there will be more houses just west of 1 than now exist in Palm Coast.
Buckle up!