At last month's meeting, we discussed looking at all options for the updating and modernizing of Optimist park. We all agreed that the park needs updating.

I suggest we look at the big picture and have staff bring us options for the three parks that will impact the Town as a whole. That includes the East-side Park, a Central Park and a West-lakes Park.

We have already debated improvements to the East-side park and awaiting for staff's recommendations.

The Central Park, also known as “Par 3” as a passive park, will have walking paths and seating areas allowing centrally located residents to enjoy a large park in their neighborhood.

The West-lakes park also known as “The Bridge Park” will bring a park to the West-Lakes neighborhood allowing those areas to have the same opportunities as East and Central residents.

We know that Miami-Dade County Commissioner Bovo has committed to support keeping the 154th Street bridge closed. It's been my intention for several years to convert the bridge into a pedestrian park and I believe that we, as a Town, need to be ready to convert the bridge and the surrounding area into a park as soon as possible to follow through with our commitment to create a park and keep the 154th Street bridge closed.

Any financing that is needed to fund the gem and most visible park on the east side will require that all residents share in the costs. It's important to remember that we must be fiscally responsible to our residents and place a $11.55 million cap on these projects.

I also recommend that the Council appoint a resident's oversight committee in keeping with the spirit of the focus groups and Town Hall meetings that have been held.


Bringing the Central and West areas as part of our parks system will bring equal opportunity enjoyment to the Town as a whole.



Fiscal Impact: Minimal
Guiding Principle: 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, 12, 14
Objective: 2.1, 2.3, 2.4 5.1