Consultants from Kotler and Herring presented a parks master plan for Memorial Park, Pine Tree Park and North Park at the Sept. 3 CRA session, summarizing a year of community engagement, two surveys and design work. The plan proposes retaining passive features at Memorial, adding a promenade and a civic lawn, a nature-based children's “discovery” play area and event-ready plazas at Pine Tree, and passive uses with an art walk at North Park. The consultants showed conceptual renderings and noted coordination needs with the South Florida Water Management District for the area adjacent to a future pump station.

Council members and residents asked detailed questions about noise buffering on Forest Hill Boulevard, preservation of “money-shot” lake views, pavilion sizes, shade, parking and safe pedestrian crossings across Forest Hill. Residents requested that memorial stones and a family dedication rock be relocated or lit in the new layout; one resident pressed to ensure Malcolm Lewis and other long-serving locals are formally recognized in park design. Several council members said they wanted the parks to prioritize usability and passive enjoyment while preserving views.

After discussion and direction to refine elements (landscape buffer, contemporary/coastal palettes, parking options and safer crosswalk design), the CRA voted to move the master plan forward to phase 2 design with consultant revisions and follow‑up community input. Council asked staff to pursue potential grant consultants and to return with more detailed cost estimates and a parking strategy before construction funding is sought.