A significant move towards improving future recreational spaces in Palm Coast and Flagler County was taken as the “Planning Our Parks” Master Plan Initiative was discussed by the Parks Master Plan consultant, BerryDunn Project Manager Art Thatcher, and Palm Coast Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Brittany McDermott during the Palm Coast City Council meeting in early August.
Palm Coast and Flagler County partnered to hire BerryDunn, a nationally-known parks and recreation management consulting firm, to oversee the creation of a countywide Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The Master Plan looks at the existing parks, recreational facilities, programs, and services to determine the current and future level of services for the community based on public input. The plan prioritizes the needs and desires for upgrading, improving, or adding parks, recreational facilities, amenities, programs, and services.
Since the project commenced in December 2022, the master plan initiative has made impressive progress through its various stages. During the meeting, it was explained to the public and City Council that the plan is now nearing the end of phase four of its five-phase plan, with the ultimate goal being the creation of a roadmap for the future of parks and recreation countywide.
The initiative has actively involved the public every step of the way, using surveys, focus groups, and an interactive social website to gather essential data. These efforts have provided valuable insights into the community’s desires and concerns regarding the city’s parks and recreational facilities. Thatcher highlighted these concerns in the meeting, which included:
- Sustaining existing parks, beaches, amenities, and infrastructure such as shade structures, additional water features, etc.
- Revamping the golf course clubhouse.
- Upgrading the Aquatic Center.
- Expanding fairground facilities, incorporating covered areas.
- Enhancing the Bull Creek Fish Camp Restaurant at Dead Lake.
- Establishing supplementary water access points, such as kayak launches and fishing piers.
- Pioneering a modern athletic complex.
- Amplifying restroom facilities along trails, athletic fields, and playgrounds.
- Augmenting rectangular and diamond fields for diverse sports.
- Safeguarding open spaces, beaches, conservation lands, wildlife, and heritage sites.
- Developing novel amenities such as disc golf courses, bike parks, lighting, and shaded zones.
- Fortifying collaborations with the county, municipalities, and schools.
- Extending trail connectivity and the existing network.
- Enhancing communication regarding available facilities, activities, and offerings.
- Introducing additional programs for seniors, adults, teens, after-school activities, and outdoor recreation.
Building on the insights gathered from the community, BerryDunn has worked with Parks and Recreation to establish four fundamental goals, announced during the meeting, that will steer future developmental endeavors within recreational spaces:
- Invest in Current Infrastructure and Address Aging Facilities: Focus on rejuvenating and maintaining existing parks and facilities.
- Improve and Enhance Programming and Outreach: Introduce innovative programs for diverse age groups while increasing engagement with the community.
- Improve Organizational Operations: Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations within the Parks and Recreation department.
- Increase Financial Investment: Secure funding sources and financial support to ensure the realization of proposed improvements.
“We’re so grateful to the residents and community members who actively participated and are continuing to participate in the ‘Planning Our Parks’ initiative. Your input and engagement have been instrumental in shaping the future of our recreational spaces,” said Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Brittany McDermott. “I also want to thank our dedicated county partners for their partnership throughout this process, exemplifying the power of collaboration. Together, we’re forging a legacy where residents and visitors can create memories with their loved ones, building connections that will span future generations.”
The initiative is ready to move into its next phase, creating the Parks and Recreation Facilities System Plan. This comprehensive framework will outline the physical development of parks, facilities, and recreational areas throughout Palm Coast, solidifying the vision of an accessible and vibrant recreational environment that caters to residents and visitors. A draft of the plan will be presented at the Board of County Commissioners meeting on September 18th and the City Council meeting on September 19th.
For more information on the “Planning Our Parks” Master Plan Initiative and the full presentation on the Goals & Objectives, click here.
Gus says
If I read the budget article correctly it looks like they want to cut the budget at the golf course by $100,000. Now in this article they want to renovate the clubhouse. So take away money for maintenance of the course for a brand new clubhouse? I really think that people who golf there could give a crap about the clubhouse.
Celia M pugliese says
Totally agree with Gus…are they trying to undermine the golf course maintenance? A clubhouse on it is too expensive and nit needed…the golf course is doing great without it…keep up the good maintenance with no cuts…Also stop the millions for Water Front Park by now for Grand Haven users next door and Klufas. What about instead installing some bathrooms badly needed in the Long Creek Preserve Park off Palm Harbor Parkway instead? What about the needed and lied for 15 years, littler can, next to the bench in the Fern Canal off neglected Florida Park Drive and its two denied traffic calming Islands sure could have been funded if not for the 1.2 millions for the Water (next to Grand Heaven) Park or the 1.6 millions to repave Seminole Woods when wasn’t needed, no cracks no potholes on the asphalt there. On with the new and neglect to the old is the city policy? We sure pay taxes also for our services here in old Palm Coast and… we also vote!
GA says
Years before the National Guard bldgs came in on what is now Fin Way I attended a meeting at the Government Bldg for all families affected by the construction. It was brought up at that meeting that a park was going to be built there as well ( ny the government?) in keeping with good relations with their new neighbors. Never happened. Just like the city has ignored thousands of residents (and many more coming soon) that live south of 100. To my knowledge there is no park planned or otherwise than runs of Belle Terre. It would appear this Parks and Recreation committee is blind to this ever growing part of town. Maybe they should be replaced with citizens with better eyesight
Celia M pugliese says
A 1.2 million launching ramp for a “paddle board rental business at $25/hour” force paid by us. What kind of park consultant Dunn is ? When less than a mile south of it exist the Hershel King Park with two beautiful motor boat, kayak, paddle board, canoe launching ramps? What kind of skewed view plan is this. 1.2 whooping million for a paddle board business rental in our public park with 7 picnic tables on it and not a soul to be using it this Saturday afternoon when I took the photo? In which city or county meeting was approved this business do we own the rental board business or someone else does and if so what is the taxpayers take to force us spend 1.2 millions on it and only for the rental business as there is no way anyone owning their own kayak or canoe can park near enough to carry its own to the launching pad. Furthermore they plan to use over half a million more for that Water Front Park of our taxes to build a parking near the rental business for resident paddlers to bring their own…meanwhile the desperately needed two traffic calming islands that city had us pay $163,000 in engineering and Lassiter traffic studies, as I can hardly decipher the records provided by Carl Cote engineering Dpt., been vote NO and city refuse to build so far throwing into the waste basket our hard earned $163,000 plus if we count the countless hours of staff work involved and the hours or neighborhood presentation in the Community Center! Furthermore the $392,000 bid for the two islands went to the road fund to pay for 1.6 million NO needed repaving of a perfect condition Seminole Woods Parkway that Carl Cote found excuse of curve deterioration (where?) that was needed,,, maybe to make brand new asphalt appearance for these new multifamily projects just approved in that area?:https://mail.aol.com/d/search/keyword=city%2520of%2520Palm%2520Coast/messages/AChxd8Z6UrTfZOZwbA6C2LszpvM We the Friends of Florida Park Drive demand that our litter can in the 1.2 miles of FPD be install as well so littering is discouraged, as well the two traffic Islands who’s expensive design and study we paid for. We demand our taxes to be used for our services in Old Palm Coast as well. Something we been asking for over 15 years! Jeez, 7 picnic tables for a paddle board rental business that no one was using this Saturday afternoon in Water Front Par, but the 15 years request for a litter can in Florida Park Drive lied to be provided and NOT? Hear the residents Ms. Bevan, Mr. Cote and Mr. Flukas…enough of improvements for GH…take care of our pleas for old Palm Coast, (Florida Park Drive, Cimmaron, Old Kings Road completion and the Long Creek Preserve bathrooms needed!)
Sandy says
Please, would someone just fix Holland Park’s Water Park for the kids that were so excited to use it, then have it succumb to adults being adults and fighting over who is responsible to fix it?
Celia M Pugliese says
Totally agree with you Sandy! In this 8/29 meeting engineering Carl Cote said there are 3 millions for a splash park repair but is they start asap could only be ready for next summer (then what the heck is this good for?)…and all this departmental director proposes is like that. Unreliable overpriced contractors with incredible looong terms to completion of all the projects assigned to the same contractors around this city! A lways same excuses problems for supplies or workers shortage…? Then get a different contractor!
jeffery c. seib says
This story has got to be total fluff. The city of Palm Coast has cut the Parks budget to the level of an observer watching everything deteriorate. No parks will be added, even though desperately needed, and the county will do the same, nothing. Ballfields so torn up that they are unusable, no increases in numbers with the massive increases in population, they are just telling us to stay in our homes and not enjoy the open spaces of Florida because here in Palm Coast and Flager, there ain’t none.