1835 Live Oak Lane (Tim McKinney) 10.14.2003
October 14, 2003
Timothy E. McKinney
1835 Live Oak Lane
Atlantic Beach, Florida 32233
Re: Use of Johansen Park
Dear Mr. McKinney:
The land you have inquired about, which extends between Park Terrace, East and Park Terrace,
West within the Selva Maria subdivision is known as Preben Johansen Park. This land was
conveyed to the City of Atlantic Beach and dedicated "solely for park and beautification
purposes” in December of 1957. While there has been a longstanding sentiment within the
community that this area remain largely natural and undeveloped, its use is specifically set aside
as a park, and arguably the area is under-utilized as even a passive park. (A proposal in 1996 to
develop the park with a lake to serve a drainage function, along with some associated passive
recreational activities surrounding the lake, was meet with a great deal of opposition.)
The City has no current plans to develop any facilities within Johansen Park; however, if it is
your opinion that residents of your neighborhood are desirous of looking into options for some
use of the park beyond its now undeveloped condition, I would be glad to schedule a meeting
with our City Manager and our Parks and Recreation director to discuss. Please feel free to call
me at 247-5817.
Sincerely,
Sonya Doerr, AICP
Community Development Director
cc: Jim Hanson, City Manager
Timmy Johnson, Parks, Recreation and Beautification Director