Port St. Lucie council approves roundabout design for Torino Regional Park Phase 1

The Port St. Lucie City Council voted to advance Phase 1 of Torino Regional Park with a plan that includes a roundabout at the park entrance (Option 1C), approving the design in a motion on Feb. 24.

Council members chose the roundabout option after a staff presentation that recommended Option 1B — a single public entrance plus an emergency-only access drive — because 1C was judged to better address long-term traffic calming and pedestrian safety despite higher up-front cost and potential wetland permitting impacts.

Staff and consultants laid out four concepts. Zach Sherman, executive project manager for Parks and Recreation, told the council the options trade off cost, tree and wetland impacts, and emergency response access. Kristen Alexa, a project landscape architect with Kimley‑Horn, described the options and estimated costs: a basic single‑entrance concept (Option 1A) as the least expensive, Option 1B (single entrance plus an emergency access) at about $1.1 million, Option 1C (single entrance with a roundabout) roughly doubling certain elements of the non‑roundabout costs, and the two‑entrance concept (Option 2) at about $2.5 million and carrying the highest risk of permitting delay because it would encroach on delineated wetlands.

Kimley‑Horn emphasized that the two‑entrance option could add up to 12 months to the schedule because of wetland permitting. Police and fire officials told staff they would accept Option 1B (single entrance plus gated emergency access) for emergency response needs; staff recommended 1B, citing lower cost, fewer tree and wetland impacts and a faster schedule that would better protect timing for ARPA funds.

Several council members argued in favor of the roundabout (1C), saying it would slow traffic, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and avoid ripping out and rebuilding a future entrance if traffic patterns change. Staff warned the roundabout increases up‑front cost and that designing for it now would better avoid future rework than adding it later. The emergency access described for Option 1B would be a stabilized, gated access with Knox key box control for emergency responders rather than a full public roadway.

After discussion, a motion to approve Option 1C carried with no recorded opposition. Council directed staff to move forward into the 30% design phase for the approved concept and to return with the site plan for further review. Council also asked that the art advisory board be included in future discussions about permanent public art elements at the roundabout.

Implementation details remain subject to design refinement. Staff noted the roundabout option would avoid the need for a left‑turn lane at the primary entrance (which would otherwise require pavement widening) but would increase initial project cost. Staff also repeated that any option that encroached on the wetlands could extend permitting timelines and add mitigation costs.

Next steps: proceed to 30% design for the approved Option 1C and prepare detailed construction estimates and permitting timelines; staff will return to council with the site plan and funding implications.