2600 S. Federal Highway
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General Information

Acreage:  5.6

Park Hours:  Sunrise – Sunset

Special Information

Access to the Intracoastal Waterway is accessible for fishing. The eastern edge of the park consists of a mangrove mitigation area.

Manatees have been known to frequent the area. Boaters should use extra care when launching watercraft and when shifting out of neutral. Call 1-888-404-3922, or *FMP on your cell phone, or use VHF Channel 16 to report an injured manatee.

Amenities

Benches, bike rack, bocce courts, non-motorized vessel access, drinking fountain, monofilament recycling bin, nature preserve (mitigation area), open play area, pavilions, picnic tables, playground, rental shelters, restrooms, fitness trail, Intracoastal Waterway

Historical Information

The City began leasing the property in 1965 from the Florida Inland Navigation District (F.I.N.D.) for $1 per year. The Recreation and Parks Department has fully maintained it since. F.I.N.D.'s purpose for the property was to be available to place dredge materials after dredging the Intracoastal Waterway.

The original park was planned by the first Jaycee group in the mid 1970's who cleared the land and installed some irrigation with the assistance of City staff. Back then the property contained mango, lime, tangelo, avocado, loquat, banana and ficus trees. In 1988, a vehicle pathway was created along the northern property line that extends to the Intracoastal Waterway.

The Florida Inland Navigation District (F.I.N.D.) put the property on the Lands Available List in 2003. Both the City and County were interested in preserving the land and worked together to purchase it in 2004. The City received funding from the County's 2002 Recreation and Cultural Facilities Bond and through a grant award from the Florida Communities Trust.

In October 2007, the City began Phase I of the renovation project, with funding help from the Florida Recreation Development Assistant Program (FRDAP). Improvements include a paved access road, an 18-space parking lot, three picnic shelters, a playground, paved sidewalk, an open play field, restrooms, and lush landscaping. Phase II plans include cultural education markers, art, a fishing/day dockage pier and canoe/kayak launch.

The rededication was held on April 10, 2008.