Leisure Time Leisure Time (MAY - OCT 2019) | Page 4

DEVELOPING PARKS & RECREATION CONTRIBUTED BY DR. DAVID BARTH, PHD, PLA, AICP, CPRP, BARTH ASSOCIATES The City of Port St. Lucie boasts a beautiful and well-maintained parks and recreation system that includes over 46 parks encompassing 1,516 acres of parkland. However, as the City’s population grows and diversifies, it is anticipated that there may be a demand for additional parks, recreation facilities, natural areas, trails, and/or recreation programs to meet residents’ needs. Therefore, the City has embarked upon a planning process to create a Parks and Recreation Master Plan that will establish a vision and priorities for the next ten years. Initiated in July 2018, the year-long planning process includes five phases: 1. Preliminary Implementation Framework • Identify funding resources including: partnerships, grants, donations, development regulations, etc. 2. Existing Conditions Analysis • Parks planners and landscape architects from the consulting firm Barth Associates joined City staff to visit and evaluate all of the City’s parks. 10YEAR MASTERPLAN JESSICA CLINTON PARK Coming Soon... 2018-2019 Great things are coming to Parks & Recreation in 2019 and beyond. The City has selected a qualified professional consultant to analyze the City’s future and long-term Park & Recreation needs, including facilities and programming. Upcoming projects and improvements include: • Implement Design/Build Construction of Winterlakes Park • Minsky Gym indoor expansion • Security improvements at Veterans Park at Rivergate • Jessica Clinton Park sports lighting, security and turf improvements Capital Improvement Projects include lighting of exterior sidewalk and installation of security cameras throughout the park. Once complete, patrons will enjoy the use of FREE Wi-Fi as part of this project as well as lighting and turf improvements on fields including: FOOTBALL LACROSSE RUGBY SOCCER • Analysis of existing and projected demographics and trends. 3. Needs and Priorities Assessment • Public Workshops: interviews and group meetings. • Online and mail surveys. 4. Visioning • Develop long-range 10 year plan based on available resourses and existing conditions. • Provide recommendations for improvements for current and future projects. 5. Implementation Strategy and Final Master Plan Development of a Parks & Recreation • Develop a recommended phasing, funding and implementation strategy for consideration by the City Council. It is anticipated that the draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan will be presented to the City Council for review and discussion in June 2019, and approved and adopted in late July, 2019. For additional information, please contact Brad Keen, Assistant Director, Parks & Recreation Department, via email at [email protected]. VETERANS PARK AT RIVERGATE WINTERLAKES PARK MINSKY GYM 2018-2019 2018-2019 2021-2023 Veterans Park at Rivergate – Community Development Block Grant funding is proposed to provide security cameras along the boardwalk and the interior of the park. Areas to be covered under video surveillance include: DOG PARK ENTRANCES FITNESS STATIONS PARKING LOT MULTI-USE SPORTS FIELDS PAVILIONS BOARDWALK “Explore, Dream and Discover” the future of Port St. Lucie Parks and Recreation! Please be sure to check out the approved and adopted 10-Year City of Port St. Lucie Parks & Recreation Master Plan to see what exciting leisure opportunities await! Located at 5241 NW Jannebo St., proposed park amenities will include: BOAT LAUNCH PAVILIONS PLAYGROUND Located within Whispering Pines Park, Minsky Gym serves an ever-growing population in the western sector of the City. By expanding the existing gymnasium, the City will be in a position to better serve its surrounding community when residents pursue their active lifestyle choices such as: BASKETBALL COMMUNITY GARAGE SALES PIZZA JAMS & TOT PROGRAMS VOLLEYBALL