[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6271730,"mediaKeyId","3028697-811afc9d41f3a57954854517d5ce0799","parentId",3028697,"title","Advisory board pushes formation of 'Friends of Bay Oaks' and advances pocket-park planning","audioSeconds",542,"startMs",3008000,"endMs",3550000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028697-811afc9d41f3a57954854517d5ce0799&start=3008&end=3550","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028697-811afc9d41f3a57954854517d5ce0799/thumbnail_3008000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6271730/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Advisory-board-pushes-formation-of-Friends-of-Bay-Oaks-and-advances-pocket-park-planning","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271730-0920b2b8afa08410ab7c5297470d0029/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166255&Signature=cOwEsaWw1n6g9Dbb72iCbZ1VWJjxkkUh~x~eYcAlEQAoL2HEdP4Q2X8HoDU5ss3bELLHeBhEsCy8MNo0JGqs~I0UZLtv4mao5iz~zYx0UaipZcFz67B-pJKcTBWS-De7ZMTXWG81eqBIBAaEcNG0GVS7OqUGuq5JO0zygzlZr8b7SnDUiAkNfQz4asb9NZT8yJA~0-YGIqXbdPPrw3L4~kTOoz8MjW~iixrwEjpcN7DUQzGAKPX~ceZ57o847P~ik5pxhmcQCY9Ugp7sjNEkQogSdhZE-wnqaExOhlKJLfkMGjDKB9J7Jd4S4CyQf~fIbFPeqtDwXOD4N8bWqF9nRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of For Myers Beach, FL","date","2025-04-17T00:41:01.377Z","article","Members of the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board urged faster action on two related community efforts at the April 16 meeting: organizing a \"Friends of Bay Oaks\" nonprofit to fund local projects and advancing town-led pocket-park acquisitions on the south end.

Board members said they have identified at least two candidate properties for small, local parks and want the Town Council to prioritize acquisitions. Several members asked staff to brief council and deliver a status report; one member suggested the advisory board prepare a workshop meeting to develop a prioritized list of needs and funding options.

On Friends formation, staff and members said volunteers already have candidate names for the group's initial board and that Denise Moynihan, who previously led the Friends organization, has offered to help with historical documents and bylaws. Board members asked staff to contact the volunteer applicants promptly so momentum is not lost.

Community support was already available: Joy Sullivan reported that the FNB Community Foundation is voting on grant awards and has earmarked funds for Bay Oaks to replace Halloween materials and possibly to buy a multiuse play table if funds remain. Sullivan said this is the third consecutive year the foundation has allocated funds to Bay Oaks.

Board members agreed to pursue a workshop meeting to lay out priorities, map responsibilities and coordinate with a formally organized Friends group once it is incorporated. Several board members asked staff to send a brief acknowledgement to volunteers who have applied to serve on Friends so they remain engaged while formal steps are completed.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BORCAB, April 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members pressed for quick formation of a Friends group to raise funds for Bay Oaks projects, reported community-foundation support, and identified two candidate properties for town 'pocket parks.' Members urged staff and council follow-up so volunteers and potential donors are not lost.","taxTitle","Fort Myers Beach, Lee County, Florida","taxId",66110,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271736,"Bay Oaks renovation moves toward May opening; town weighs equipment storage, pickleball expansion and staffing",212,955000,1167000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028697-811afc9d41f3a57954854517d5ce0799&start=955&end=1167","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028697-811afc9d41f3a57954854517d5ce0799/thumbnail_955000.jpg","/articles/6271736/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Bay-Oaks-renovation-moves-toward-May-opening-town-weighs-equipment-storage-pickleball-expansion-and-staffing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271736-489d89f819765e8a25021c0301575417/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166255&Signature=VpyvqgKINg5kPyGU5gBcpBeFe-47SiqKI6rZk02Z3d3UV4UG2uU1IAsZAj6lYhPlHpy2dllgMN4hKDvlJJat9S9~VPzVKyONYbrPsGmA14H0Bl2G~q6faVR~6O3ono9pLO6hHhSRObhJpCTOIt-u7xznXM~lFmRwucWuxl36lGKUm1aLtN1bp1Ss8~T~7X6E8lVB4-rMRlo5a-NT7reimEbuzl52LoxUHpsQ~og98Wb1NOrtC6aLOsnsHsr17UPzqQT~3zFE85AWGAVSHhY8saowpoV~NukaagBpYVWKXeoaqao7SFp5~RYC~UewOqekxtL~2V2jwi2vtOc5mPPoOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff updated the Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board on renovation progress and near-term operational planning at the April 16 meeting. Work on the rec center interior includes floor grinding, vapor-barrier application and planned epoxy coatings; staff said they remain on track for a May reopening if schedules hold.

Staff reported two new commercial HVAC air-handler units have been installed and that electrical work will begin shortly. The contractor will apply epoxy floor coatings after preparatory work; staff explained epoxy cure times may be two to three weeks and that the epoxy will be extended up the wall by a few inches to form a stronger vapor seal.

Procurement and construction related to Bay Oaks' outdoor facilities were also discussed. The town is placing two bids for Bay Oaks grounds work: one for groundwork/preparation and another for the actual installation of turf and pickleball courts. Staff said the project will require at least four courts and may reach eight if budget allows and site geometry permits. A resurfacing proposal from Ziffer Courts for the tennis court resurfacing arrived and staff expect the work to require two days when scheduled.

On funding tied to larger grants, staff said the county review is complete and the project is awaiting HUD review before procurement for pool-related work can proceed. Neil Mathis, the staff liaison, said the matter remains in federal review: \"They're still in review. We haven't gotten much back from them. We still have weekly meetings, but it's still in review with the county and HUD.\" (Neil Mathis, staff liaison.)

Staff also covered planned equipment purchases and hurricane risk management. The town has selected a vendor for strength and cardio equipment and hoped to place orders promptly to avoid tariff-driven price increases. Staff provided a vendor estimate to move and store fitness equipment off-site ahead of storms: two trucks and four workers for one to two days, with a one- to two-day transport cost quoted at roughly $5,500 to $6,000 and about $500 per day storage. Staff noted they would verify warranty and calibration impacts with vendors before moving units and that an arrangement with a moving/storage contractor could make the town a priority when storms approach.

Staff described programming and staffing plans for reopening: summer programs begin June 9; staff are hiring a senior recreation coordinator and two 30-hour year-round recreation assistants and expect to hire additional part‑time staff for summer programming. Staff also said they plan to prorate or otherwise credit memberships that were paid before the center's extended closure.

Events and community engagement were included: staff reported a well-attended Easter event with roughly 200 people and described plans for a grand opening or soft opening timed to equipment deliveries and staffing readiness.","Staff reported floor grinding, new HVAC installations and epoxy work at Bay Oaks Rec Center and described bids for groundwork and courts for a planned pickleball expansion. Town staff also discussed purchasing fitness equipment, the logistics and costs to move equipment out before hurricanes, and hiring and summer-program timelines.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6271739,"Fort Myers Beach advisory board reviews beach-access repairs, renourishment timeline and amenities",366,322000,688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028697-811afc9d41f3a57954854517d5ce0799&start=322&end=688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028697-811afc9d41f3a57954854517d5ce0799/thumbnail_322000.jpg","/articles/6271739/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Fort-Myers-Beach-advisory-board-reviews-beach-access-repairs-renourishment-timeline-and-amenities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6271739-093028eeeedc415f7ad8c73a18e72468/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166255&Signature=BCtJgFS-on0klDmpYuDlvrxGiKMAPk1QTi7VZBaLsJXkmJYjSyCAmAUKkYzYe2I6vL~cmkFZsMIMAwtPmSgXN~rOUoOVg0zUtNt6D-ixXZko5mCiUxt5QbEKykz0k1PHZp315dICs2dWE5r4DrptT-CgwHCgK4I3YzEnFg7ehDIGwIomOWTpoufQ1MArxkbIaywJ3c3HucnBI3kVDX9Z4RoFa39pJ8TU0v3uL-qBgVj0zBTX5LJJyYp1A-VXkaHDbJJ4FL9JE--B33zwIuqVagavq81MNZV5rS9aGuagt2A7kCK92xFlYjboarP4F8eS0Lm1NxAGpcqlKQ1dolufng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Bay Oaks Recreational Campus Advisory Board discussed the condition and near-term plans for the town's beach accesses at its April 16 meeting at Town Hall. Staff reported on damaged access signs, plans for vegetation and benches after renourishment, and an interim opening of Beach Access 17A with parking and portable restrooms.

Board members were told several tall beach-access signs have corrosion and broken welds; one at Access 17 was removed for safety and the town is inspecting the remainder before ordering replacements. Staff said they have smaller access signs ready to install but are awaiting an auger attachment for the bobcat to set posts more quickly.

Staff described work sequencing tied to the beach renourishment project: MobiMats have been left off while heavy equipment moves sand, and the mats will be reinstalled when renourishment is complete. The temporary black pipe used to move sand from barges will be removed after renourishment, staff said. The tentative schedule discussed at the meeting puts dune planting and renourishment activity in late April or May; staff cautioned exact dates must be confirmed with the contractor.

Turtle-protection rules were a consistent constraint on installing permanent fixtures on the new dune line. Staff said the town cannot place benches or permanent bike racks where they could entangle turtles; benches may be considered only after dune plantings provide a protective barrier.

Beach Access 17A is open and currently offers about eight parking spaces and a restroom trailer. Staff said the town has ordered tall parking signage that includes the TDC logo and the town logo to meet Tourist Development Council recognition requirements and that paid parking will be reinstated once signage and redevelopment are complete. Staff noted memorial benches are a likely funding source for some seating; FEMA emergency funds were identified as a possible source for replacement bike racks lost in storms, with other fixtures to come from the town general fund if FEMA funds are not available.

Board members also raised outreach items: staff will resume scheduled community beach walks beginning in June, and staff said they will post notification about accessible parking and restrooms at the site.

The discussion was informational; no policy changes or ordinances were adopted during the meeting.","Board members and staff discussed the status of beach-access repairs and signage, the timeline for beach renourishment and dune planting, rules that limit permanent fixtures during turtle season, and the temporary opening of Beach Access 17A with parking and restrooms.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Advisory board pushes formation of 'Friends of Bay Oaks' and advances pocket-park planning

Bay Oaks renovation moves toward May opening; town weighs equipment storage, pickleball expansion and staffing

Fort Myers Beach advisory board reviews beach-access repairs, renourishment timeline and amenities