Public commenters at the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting sharply criticized a proposed change to beach sports facilities after staff said a developer contribution would be used to fund beach improvements including converting the current basketball court site to four pickleball courts.

Carl, the parks and recreation director, told the board that the Behemar (as recorded in meeting materials) group has proposed providing $1 million (with discussion of up to $2 million in some statements) to the city for barrier‑island enhancements. “The Behemar group is providing the city with a million dollars,” Carl said, adding the funds would be used for multiple beach improvements: “it’s not just the basketball court conversion or and, relocation of the basketball court, but it's also the the benches, the grills, and the fitness equipment that we have on the beach.” He said the city also has bond money for beach enhancements and that developer funds are separate from those bond dollars.

Several residents said the basketball courts hold cultural and civil‑rights significance. Leo Lorenz, who identified himself as a local historian, and other commenters said the courts are tied to local civil‑rights history and urged the city to preserve them. “The basketball courts on Colorado Beach were white only,” one commenter said in the meeting’s public comment; another long‑time resident said the court is a “symbol of bridging that gap” and a place where neighbors meet and build relationships.

Representatives of a community group and a presenter from FLB Spotters told the board the planned courts would remain public. A presenter said, “the pickleball court will be public, so it won't be privatized in any fashion. The basketball courts, once they are relocated, will remain public.” Staff also reported Commission direction to seek opportunities to preserve basketball play by relocating the basketball courts about 100 yards south on the beach while installing pickleball courts at the current site.

Board members said they had raised concerns with commissioners and with staff about the loss of basketball play space and public access. Staff told the board that the developer contract and related agreements are being amended to address public access and that the city intends to use the developer contribution to achieve a net gain in beach amenities: new basketball courts, pickleball courts, improved fitness equipment, grills and benches. Staff also said permitting constraints mean new beach structures are preferably located west of the coastal construction line to reduce permitting complexity.

The discussion did not produce a final adopted change to any ordinance or facility plan; it was presented as an update and a subject of public comment. Residents were urged to follow up with city commissioners. Staff said contracts and project agreements would be the controlling documents and that the board would be briefed again as amendments and project plans become available.