• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
MENUMENU
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • FlaglerLive Board of Directors
    • Comment Policy
    • Mission Statement
    • Our Values
    • Privacy Policy
  • Live Calendar
  • Submit Obituary
  • Submit an Event
  • Support FlaglerLive
  • Advertise on FlaglerLive (386) 503-3808
  • Search Results

FlaglerLive

No Bull, no Fluff, No Smudges

MENUMENU
  • Flagler
    • Flagler County Commission
    • Beverly Beach
    • Economic Development Council
    • Flagler History
    • Mondex/Daytona North
    • The Hammock
    • Tourist Development Council
  • Palm Coast
    • Palm Coast City Council
    • Palm Coast Crime
  • Bunnell
    • Bunnell City Commission
    • Bunnell Crime
  • Flagler Beach
    • Flagler Beach City Commission
    • Flagler Beach Crime
  • Cops/Courts
    • Circuit & County Court
    • Florida Supreme Court
    • Federal Courts
    • Flagler 911
    • Fire House
    • Flagler County Sheriff
    • Flagler Jail Bookings
    • Traffic Accidents
  • Rights & Liberties
    • Fourth Amendment
    • First Amendment
    • Privacy
    • Second Amendment
    • Seventh Amendment
    • Sixth Amendment
    • Sunshine Law
    • Third Amendment
    • Religion & Beliefs
    • Human Rights
    • Immigration
    • Labor Rights
    • 14th Amendment
    • Civil Rights
  • Schools
    • Adult Education
    • Belle Terre Elementary
    • Buddy Taylor Middle
    • Bunnell Elementary
    • Charter Schools
    • Daytona State College
    • Flagler County School Board
    • Flagler Palm Coast High School
    • Higher Education
    • Imagine School
    • Indian Trails Middle
    • Matanzas High School
    • Old Kings Elementary
    • Rymfire Elementary
    • Stetson University
    • Wadsworth Elementary
    • University of Florida/Florida State
  • Economy
    • Jobs & Unemployment
    • Business & Economy
    • Development & Sprawl
    • Leisure & Tourism
    • Local Business
    • Local Media
    • Real Estate & Development
    • Taxes
  • Commentary
    • The Conversation
    • Pierre Tristam
    • Diane Roberts
    • Guest Columns
    • Byblos
    • Editor's Blog
  • Culture
    • African American Cultural Society
    • Arts in Palm Coast & Flagler
    • Books
    • City Repertory Theatre
    • Flagler Auditorium
    • Flagler Playhouse
    • Flagler Youth Orchestra
    • Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra
    • Palm Coast Arts Foundation
    • Special Events
  • Elections 2024
    • Amendments and Referendums
    • Presidential Election
    • Campaign Finance
    • City Elections
    • Congressional
    • Constitutionals
    • Courts
    • Governor
    • Polls
    • Voting Rights
  • Florida
    • Federal Politics
    • Florida History
    • Florida Legislature
    • Florida Legislature
    • Ron DeSantis
  • Health & Society
    • Flagler County Health Department
    • Ask the Doctor Column
    • Health Care
    • Health Care Business
    • Covid-19
    • Children and Families
    • Medicaid and Medicare
    • Mental Health
    • Poverty
    • Violence
  • All Else
    • Daily Briefing
    • Americana
    • Obituaries
    • News Briefs
    • Weather and Climate
    • Wildlife

Palm Coast and Flagler County Plan Their Parks

August 22, 2023 | FlaglerLive | 7 Comments

At Waterfront Park. (© FlaglerLive)
At Waterfront Park. (© FlaglerLive)

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:

  1. Invest in Current Infrastructure and Address Aging Facilities: Focus on rejuvenating and maintaining existing parks and facilities.
  2. Improve and Enhance Programming and Outreach: Introduce innovative programs for diverse age groups while increasing engagement with the community.
  3. Improve Organizational Operations: Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations within the Parks and Recreation department.
  4. 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.

Support FlaglerLive's End of Year Fundraiser
Thank you readers for getting us to--and past--our year-end fund-raising goal yet again. It’s a bracing way to mark our 15th year at FlaglerLive. Our donors are just a fraction of the 25,000 readers who seek us out for the best-reported, most timely, trustworthy, and independent local news site anywhere, without paywall. FlaglerLive is free. Fighting misinformation and keeping democracy in the sunshine 365/7/24 isn’t free. Take a brief moment, become a champion of fearless, enlightening journalism. Any amount helps. We’re a 501(c)(3) non-profit news organization. Donations are tax deductible.  
You may donate openly or anonymously.
We like Zeffy (no fees), but if you prefer to use PayPal, click here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gus says

    August 23, 2023 at 2:20 pm

    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.

  2. Celia M pugliese says

    August 24, 2023 at 5:41 pm

    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!

  3. GA says

    August 26, 2023 at 9:23 pm

    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

  4. Celia M pugliese says

    August 28, 2023 at 8:29 am

    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!)

  5. Sandy says

    August 29, 2023 at 3:45 pm

    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?

  6. Celia M Pugliese says

    August 30, 2023 at 11:30 pm

    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!

  7. jeffery c. seib says

    August 31, 2023 at 6:35 pm

    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.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Conner Bosch law attorneys lawyers offices palm coast flagler county
  • grand living realty
  • politis matovina attorneys for justice personal injury law auto truck accidents

Primary Sidebar

  • grand living realty
  • politis matovina attorneys for justice personal injury law auto truck accidents

Recent Comments

  • Pierre Tristam on Pam Richardson and Kim Carney Are Killing Flagler County’s Beaches
  • Skibum on Why Some Towns Lose Their Local News and Others Don’t
  • Sam on Pam Richardson and Kim Carney Are Killing Flagler County’s Beaches
  • Ray W, on The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, June 7, 2025
  • Joe D on Warrantless Search of Car’s GPS Data Is Constitutional, Florida Appeals Court Rules
  • Martin Cashel Reed on Pam Richardson and Kim Carney Are Killing Flagler County’s Beaches
  • Richard Hamilton on Pam Richardson and Kim Carney Are Killing Flagler County’s Beaches
  • Notthatsherry on Without Prior Discussion, Palm Coast Council Approves $300,000 Plan Integrating City Surveillance with Sheriff’s Crime Center
  • Deborah Coffey on The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, June 7, 2025
  • Roger C. on Pam Richardson and Kim Carney Are Killing Flagler County’s Beaches
  • Dennis C Rathsam on The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, June 7, 2025
  • Jim on DCF Threatens Reporter Investigating Hope Florida Scandal with Cease and Desist
  • D W Ferguson on Why Some Towns Lose Their Local News and Others Don’t
  • Pig Farmer on Without Prior Discussion, Palm Coast Council Approves $300,000 Plan Integrating City Surveillance with Sheriff’s Crime Center
  • R.S. on Pam Richardson and Kim Carney Are Killing Flagler County’s Beaches
  • Kellen Burke Richardson on How Single-Stream Recycling Works, and What You Can Do to Make It Better

Log in