01-14-95 v 7114/6
Atlantic Beach Parks & Recreation Advisory Board
Orientation/Check-Up Parks Walk-Thru
January 14, 1995
In attendance:
Cindy Corey, Patricia Goelz, Jane Tanner
Advisory Board
Bob Weiss
City Commissioner
Allen Sowder
Division Chief, Parks Department
The group toured Russell Park, Howell Park, the Tresca Property, Donner Park and briefly
Jordan Park.
Russell Park.
A number of areas for improvement were rioted. 4 The water fountains need replacement
because of dangerous stairs and rough, exposed cement. 4 The benches also had rough,
exposed cement and need additional boards to fill in wide gaps. 4 Some of the playground
equipment has rusted metal and could be dangerous. Look into modern equipment. 4
Drainage in the fields is a problem, but would require costly capital expenditures. The
dugouts need better ventilation, vagrants are also a problem. 4 Suggestions for
improvements included, repainting the pavilion and exterior of the racquetball courts with a
more natural and pleasing color. Create murals. 4 More permanent brick grills for
cookouts. 4 Construct a wooden fence at the north perimeter of the park to block children
from the street. 4 Move the dumpsters, which are covering usable green space, to the end of
the parking lot near the tennis courts. 4 Purchase several new nets for the tennis courts and
a rubber push broom to clear water off the courts. 4 Redesign one or both of the racquetball
courts for handball. * Create more access for Atlantic Beach families to the trailer used by
the YMCA. 4 Create a hard-surface track around the perimeter of the park for rollerblading,
etc.
Howell Park
Mr. Sowder, the new Parks Division chief, was complemented on the clean-up and path
clearing of Howell Park. 4 The sign entering the park could be moved forward or lighted so
passersby could become aware of the nature preserve. 4 A sign to improve the Seminole
Road crossover for pedestrian safety could be installed. The current sign is inadequate. 4
Upkeep should be improved now that a regular maintenance schedule is hi place. 4
Increasing usage of Howell seems to be an issue. Educational events could be held. An
interpretive station with photographs and descriptions of plants and wildlife could be
constructed. 4 Outdoor theater or music events could be held in the large clearing. 4
Stocking the ponds with fish was discussed.
• •1►
Tresca Property
The walk-thru was generally an orientation of the newly acquired property. 4 The short-term
goal appears to be clearing the area so people can come through, accessing possible uses and
requirements for the property. 4 the small canals could be dredged to allow water paths for
kayaks and canoes into the Intracoastal Waterway. 4 Plant life and wildlife could be
identified. 4 An oral history of the property through Jim Tresca should be documented. 4
Parking could be designed along the retention pond.
Donner Park
The basketball courts need better lighting. 4 The park sign will be moved from facing the
interior to a more visible street corner. 4 More picnic tables and grills for family outings
could be installed. 4 A community garden could be developed in the open area next to the
administrative trailer.
Jordan Park
A plan for usage should be developed. 4 The park could be connected to the city yard to
create a larger park space.