Janis FontaineVoters will decide on a proposed bond to support upgrades and new parks.
Reopening the storied John F. Kennedy Bunker, developing an interpretive center at Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park and creating a more beautiful Mounts Botanical Garden are on the list of dozens of projects that would launch if Palm Beach County voters approve a $280 million parks bond.
Big-ticket items:
- A $24.8 million multisport indoor arena and fieldhouse at Okeeheelee Park that could host basketball, soccer, pickleball and other sports tournaments. The parks bond would contribute $12.5 million to the center.
- A $25.4 million off-highway-vehicle sports complex near 20-Mile Bend that would have events for dirt bikes, ATVs and more. The bond would pay for half of the cost.
- Early planning for an outdoor multipurpose complex to host large tournaments. The project is slotted to receive $12.5 million in bond money.
Parks Director Jennifer Cirillo is touring the county, meeting with residents in town halls to answer questions about the proposed bond on the Nov. 3 ballot. If more than 50% of voters approve, property owners would pay 5 cents per $1,000 of taxable value to repay the debt over 20 years.
In July, workers posted signs at county park entrances with a message that reads, “This park is maintained using property tax.”
County leaders say the signs do not violate the Florida law that prohibits local governments from using public money to advocate for ballot measures because they don’t mention the bond.
Reaction has been mixed.
“We have some people that aren’t happy with it,” Cirillo said, but “we’ve gotten both sides. Some people have taken pictures and sent us thank-yous, pointing to the signs and saying, ‘Yes, this is where I want my money invested.’ So we’re getting kind of the whole gamut.”
The county’s in-house print shop produced the signs for about $3,000.
Raising awareness about the planned improvements is the goal of the town halls, Cirillo said. She is touring with Library System Director Doug Crane, who is discussing the proposed $175 million library bond.
The shadow of Amendment 3
Voters will also decide whether to approve Amendment 3, which would increase the homestead exemption to $250,000 in two years.
Cirillo declined to speculate on how another property tax question on the Nov. 3 ballot would affect the park bond’s prospects. It would take 60% of voters to pass Amendment 3.
County planners are bracing for impact.
“About 83% of our current operating budget is ad valorem property-tax funded,” Cirillo said. “We don’t know the exact amount for our department, but if it does pass, we’ve been asked to prepare a 50% budget cut scenario, and we operate pretty lean as it is.”
But the bond money would pay for capital projects, not ongoing maintenance.
The case for parks
The county’s 110 parks, from Coral Cove in north county to Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park west of Boca Raton, cover almost 8,500 acres. Parks attract more than 22 million visitors annually, Cirillo said, many of them tourists. They do not include the thousands of acres of nature preserves, which are maintained by a different department, the county Department of Environmental Resources Management.
“We’re an economic engine that drives tourism,” Cirillo said.
Parks are also a public safety asset. “We serve as critical infrastructure post-emergency, and we manage a lot of stormwater in our community, saving taxpayers’ money.”
Most of the assets in the park system are 30 years old. Duncan Padgett Park in Pahokee, one of the oldest parks in the system, opened in 1979.
The county’s parks master plan outlines how money is spent.
“It requires reinvestment,” Cirillo said. “Over the next 10 years, more than $1.2 billion is needed to take care of what we have, but we also have some expansion needs.”
Two new district parks are being planned: one in Lantana and one near the South Florida Fairgrounds. New beach access at the Karen Marcus Ocean Park Preserve in north county is also on the drawing board.
Financing parks
With a few exceptions, access to county parks is free.
But no fees means the money has to come from other sources.
“Only our golf courses pay for themselves,” Cirillo said. As a result, golf courses are not included in the parks bond. Among parks, the John Prince Park campground and the water parks almost break even, she said.
“We do get quite a few grants, including some state or federal appropriations, but they’re often required to have a local match,” Cirillo said.
Financial support for parks has shifted in the past 20 years from bonds (the last was issued in 2006) and impact fees to the 2016 sales tax increase, which has now sunset, and property taxes. The 1-cent increase in the sales tax funneled $300 million into the parks department for capital expenses.
Bond issues that supported growth in previous years have been paid off, including bonds in 1978 for $35 million; 1987 for $30 million; 1999 for $25 million; 2002 for $50 million; and $50 million in 2006. Combined, that amounts to $190 million in borrowing, less than this new $280 million bond.
What would the $280 million park bond pay for?
Dozens of projects are planned.
One of the biggest is the renovation of Mounts Botanical Garden, which is attracting significant matching money from the state. Commissioners directed Cirillo to include $5 million for improvements in the budget.
Mounts, on North Military Trail south of Belvedere Road, is the county’s largest public garden. It covers 20 acres with two dozen display gardens and more than 7,000 species of tropical and subtropical plants from six continents.
“There are really spectacular things planned to redo the frontage along Military Trail and make Mounts a world-class botanic garden,” Cirillo said. Improvements detailed on Mounts’ master plan include adding an event lawn and amphitheater, creating a sculpture garden visible from Military Trail, adding a museum-quality gallery for rotating art exhibits, and building a new visitors center with a café and gift shop.
More areas would be added focusing on children, including an education center and garden and a children’s garden.
Another high-profile project is the planned improvements at Peanut Island off Riviera Beach.
“We’re renovating the Kennedy Bunker on Peanut Island, getting it back up into public visitation,” Cirillo said. “It’s a nice property, really special, something our community has that a lot of other places don’t have.”
The county plans to restore the bunker and surrounding historic structures, including structural repairs and engineering work on the 1936 Colonial Revival-style Coast Guard station and boathouse.
The JFK bunker — known by the code name Detachment Hotel — provides a snapshot of American history. Built in 1961 as a shelter for President John F. Kennedy during the Cold War, the 1,500-square-foot bunker is protected by layers of concrete. The only entrance is through a 40-foot tunnel.
The complete $280 million project list
These are projects the county is touting for the bond money, but the list could change.
The biggest projects:
Okeeheelee Park South/Pinehurst Multisport Fieldhouse: This project includes the design and construction of a multipurpose indoor arena and fieldhouse to support sports programming, community events and recreational services with indoor meeting space, restrooms, storage and shaded viewing areas. The fieldhouse would provide flexible indoor space for athletic and community use that could be used to host big indoor tournaments for basketball, volleyball, soccer, pickleball and more. It is one of two proposed sports complexes undergoing feasibility studies now. These improvements, estimated at $24.8 million, are slotted to receive $12.5 million in bond money, with matching money from the state.
20-Mile Bend Off-Highway-Vehicle Sports Complex: The design and development of 125 acres for motocross events for dirt bikes, ATVs, side-by-sides and e-bikes, plus beginner and kids’ areas. An outdoor concert venue, a restaurant and a retail center are also under consideration. The $25.35 million budget includes matching money from the state. This project has been on-again, off-again for years.
Large multipurpose sports field: A large outdoor sports complex that could host large tournaments. While County Administrator Joe Abruzzo has raised the possibility of bringing a flag football franchise to the county, it is not part of this plan. The project is in the pre-planning stage and is undergoing feasibility studies. A location has not been determined. Slotted to receive $12.5 million in bond money, with matching money from the state.
Cultural projects:
Peanut Island Park: This project includes the design and construction of new or repurposed facilities within Peanut Island Park, including the former Coast Guard station house, boathouse and Kennedy bomb shelter. Additional work includes the design and construction of underground infrastructure, docks, pathways, fencing, landscaping, exotic vegetation removal, environmental enhancements, lighting and shoreline protection.
Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park: Planning, design and construction of an interpretive center that will offer information on the historical, cultural and environmental significance of Riverbend Park and its surroundings. This very limited upgrade that would not “disturb” any new land, keeping the area as natural as possible. Development would begin in 2027.
Mounts Botanical Garden: Mounts’ master plan includes building a two-story visitor center with a gallery for rotating art exhibits, a café and gift shop, plus adding an event lawn and amphitheater. More gardens including a children’s garden and a sculpture garden are planned to embellish the garden’s curb appeal along North Military Trail.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Garden: The completion of the final phase of the gardens expansion features a land bridge called the Amanohashidate (“bridge to heaven”), a recreation of a site in Miyazu, Japan, which is benefactor George Morikami’s birthplace. The expansion also upgrades exhibit areas, offices and supporting amenities, adding an estimated 10,000 square feet to the galleries, collections and museum store. The museum, which hosts 200,000 visitors annually, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2027.
New parks:
Karen Marcus Ocean Park Preserve: Build new beach access while protecting the site’s coastal dune habitat. Construction of boardwalk-style dune crossovers to allow the public to walk across the coastal scrub and dune system to the beach without damaging native vegetation. This project will balance recreational beach access with environmental conservation. Public parking areas, restrooms and outdoor picnic areas connected by walking trails would highlight the native scrub habitat and sea turtle nesting ecology.
Lantana District I Park: Draft a master plan for a new 90-acre park along Lantana Road near the Park Ridge Golf Course west of U.S. 441.
Sansbury Way Park: Develop a district park on Sansbury Way, north of Belvedere Road at the southeast corner of North 15th Street. This 136-acre partially undeveloped property would have sports fields and courts alongside natural preserves.
Other improvements:
North County Aquatic Center: Splash pad and pool improvements. This project provides money for the repair and renovations at North County Pool. The project includes renovating the restrooms, locker rooms and replacing the baby pool with a water feature and shade structures.
Bert Winters Park: Renovation of boat ramps, installation of floating staging docks, improved Intracoastal Waterway access. Modernization of park features, including construction of ADA-compliant restroom facilities.
Jupiter Farms Park: An upgrade to the sports complex would have improved seating and expanded shade structures, restroom upgrades, new dugouts and training facilities and enhanced ADA-compliant access.
Santaluces Park: An overhaul of the athletic and aquatic complex includes upgrading field lighting, refurbishing and upgrading batting cage netting, frame structures and spectator seating across the four major league-sized fields and updating the concession and restrooms. In the Aquatic Center, updates to the filtration and heating systems and pool deck are planned.
Okeeheelee Park North: BMX restroom construction, sports facilities modernization and playground replacement.
West Boynton Park: Baseball and softball complex upgrades with new dugouts, lighting and parking.
West Boynton Park: Demolish the old skate park and construct a new skate park with concrete structures.
John Prince Memorial Park: Improvements include canoe and kayak launch areas, docks and fishing piers, playgrounds, dog park, restrooms, pavilions, picnic areas and bike paths. Replace two modular office trailers with an addition to the Parks Operations Administration building. Other projects include improving the campground and replacing the Center Drive pavilion, which is the largest group shelter in the park system.
Lake Lytal Park: Upgrade and/or construct multipurpose fields on the east side of the park. Restrooms, a press box and additional parking are planned. A portion of the money for this project would come from developer impact fees.
Lake Lytal Park Pool: Add a dedicated instructional pool.
Buttonwood Park: Renovation and expansion of the athletic fields and build new restrooms, a storage building and lighting.
Ocean Inlet Park: Replace outdated park buildings.
Lake Ida Park: Add accessible kayak launch, plus improvements to walking paths and additional parking.
Caloosa Park: Addition of court shade structures, restroom renovations and softball complex upgrades, plus consolidating the maintenance buildings to provide adequate equipment storage and a break room for employees.
Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park: Complete the building of new special event areas, restrooms, picnicking areas, open play areas, a playground and a dog park. Landscaping, lighting and trail upgrades are planned in addition to improving the ski lakes, boat ramps and canoe/kayak trails.
Sandalfoot Cove Park: Sports complex renovations.
Pinewoods Park: Replace the athletic complex building including the restrooms, concession area and equipment storage area.
Green Cay Nature Center: Upgrade and redesign exhibits.
Canyon District Park: Convert the turf at the county’s newest park.
Glades Pioneer Park: Renovations to and the construction of a picnic pavilion and plaza with new benches and picnic tables, restrooms and LED pathway and playground lighting, plus splash pad renovations.
Loxahatchee Groves Park: Plans include expanding the equestrian center.
Duncan Padgett Park: Replace restrooms and add a covered picnic pavilion, plus lighting and parking upgrades.
Villages of Windsor Park: Phase II development includes a 10-court pickleball and fitness expansion at the undeveloped 31.4-acre property, including the construction of an open play area and picnic area with pavilion. A portion of the money for these projects will come from impact fees.
Dyer Park: Renovation and expansion of the athletic fields, restrooms and lighting.
Aqua Crest Pool: Expand the aquatic play area. This includes pool deck replacement, filter system replacement, a baby pool and playground replacement, plus refurbished swim team rooms, movable bulkheads, geothermal heating and cooling system and shade structures.
Countywide projects:
Trail and pathway connectivity: Connect trails, especially north to south.
Shade expansion: Plant trees to add natural shade.
Shoreline stabilization: Rebuild seawalls, replenish sand, beach nourishment, removal of invasive plants, dune restoration with salt-tolerant plants.
School projects: This project involves upgrading school fields to provide public access in areas considered “park deserts,” meaning there isn’t a park within a half mile or a 10-minute walk. These schools are earmarked for improvements to make them “mutual use.”
· North County: Watson B. Duncan Middle School
· North Central County: Bear Lakes Middle School
· Central County: Christa McAuliffe Middle School
· Central County: L.C. Swain Middle School
· West County: Western Pines Middle School
· South County: West Boca High School and Eagles Landing Middle School
· South County: Congress Middle School
Town halls
Residents are encouraged to attend one of the upcoming town halls to ask questions about the park and library bonds. Registration is requested at www.pbclibrary.org.
Loula V. York Branch – Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2-3 pm.
Clarence E. Anthony Branch – Wednesday, Sept. 16, 4-5 pm.
Belle Glade Branch – Wednesday, Sept. 16, 6-7 pm.
Main Library – Thursday, Sept. 17, 6-7 pm.
Wellington Branch – Tuesday, Sept. 22, 6-7 pm.
West Boca Branch – Wednesday, Sept. 23, 4-5 pm.
Glades Road Branch – Wednesday, Sept. 23, 6-7 pm.
Royal Palm Beach Branch – Monday, Sept. 28, 2-3 pm.
Gardens Branch – Monday, Sept. 28, 6-7 pm.
West Boynton Branch – Friday, Oct. 2, 2-3 pm.
Tequesta Branch – Monday, Oct. 5, 2-3 pm.
Jupiter Branch – Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2-3 pm.
Okeeheelee Nature Center – Wednesday, Oct. 7, 6-7 pm.
Coconut Cove Recreation Center – Thursday, Oct. 15, 6-7 pm.
CMAA Therapeutic Recreation Complex – Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6-7 pm.
Clayton E. Hutcheson Center at Mounts Botanical Garden – Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2-3 pm.
West Jupiter Recreation Center – Wednesday, Oct. 21, 6-7 pm.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens – Wednesday, Oct. 28, 6-7 pm.
Nov. 3 bond ballot question
PARKS, SPORTS, RECREATIONAL FACILITIES AND BOTANICAL GARDENS TO BE FINANCED BY GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS
Shall the County issue general obligation bonds in an amount not to exceed $280,000,000, bearing interest at rates not exceeding the legal limit and maturing not exceeding 20 years from the date(s) of issuance payable from ad valorem taxes levied on all taxable property within the County to modernize aging parks and recreation facilities and botanical gardens, expand and update sports complexes, increase public beach access and trail connectivity and develop new regional parks.
___For the Bonds
___Against the Bonds
