Flagler Beach commissioners debate Veterans Park master plan and phased improvement strategy

The City of Flagler Beach held a Workshop and Regular City Commission Meeting on July 10, 2025, where several key topics were discussed, primarily focusing on the future of Veterans Park and ongoing city projects.

The meeting began with a discussion on the development of a master plan for Veterans Park. Commissioner Bridal proposed a phased approach to enhance the park, suggesting the installation of a new fountain and granite benches to honor veterans. He emphasized the need for a landscape architect and engineer to assess the park's utilities and overall design. The timeline for these improvements was estimated to span three to five years, depending on budget constraints.

Commissioner Spradley raised concerns from constituents about the piecemeal approach to the park's development, advocating for a comprehensive master plan instead. He noted that the community desires a cohesive vision for the park rather than incremental changes. The discussion highlighted a split among commissioners regarding how to proceed, with some favoring immediate action on specific elements while others preferred to wait for a more thorough plan from the parks committee.

Ultimately, the commission reached a consensus to direct the city manager to form a parks committee tasked with developing a solid plan for Veterans Park. This committee will be appointed at the next meeting, with the goal of presenting a comprehensive proposal to the commission.

In addition to the park discussions, the meeting addressed other city matters, including the creation of safe swimming zones to enhance safety for beachgoers and lifeguards. The commission also received updates on the ongoing lift station project, which is expected to be completed soon, and discussed the need for clearer signage in certain areas to improve traffic safety.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep the community informed about the progress of these initiatives, particularly regarding the Veterans Park improvements and the formation of the parks committee. The next steps will involve appointing committee members and reviewing their recommendations in future meetings.