Sebastian holds public workshop on Riverview Park master plan; staff favors keeping veterans memorial in place

City officials and a design consultant presented two conceptual layouts for the Riverview Park master plan at an open public workshop in Council Chambers on Oct. 12, 2025, and said staff is currently supporting the option that keeps the Veterans Memorial in place.

The project team led by Kimley-Horn presented Concept A and Concept B and asked the public for feedback. Brian Benton, City Manager for the City of Sebastian, said staff’s present preference is Concept B, “which does not move the Veterans Memorial.” He added the concepts are conceptual and have not gone to the City Council for formal approval.

Why it matters: the plan bundles several near-term capital needs — a required splash pad replacement and an aging portable performance stage — into a larger master plan with the aim of leveraging outside grants. Project cost estimates discussed at the workshop were about $3 million; the city said it has $1,590,000 in awarded grants and roughly $1,500,000 in pending applications, and that it will not commit the full $3 million of city funds if grant awards do not materialize.

Consultant description and differences between concepts Kyler, a landscape architect with Kimley-Horn Associates, summarized the two concepts. Both concepts propose new pavilions, expanded event space, new or reconfigured parking and improved pedestrian connections; they differ on the Veterans Memorial, splash pad and event plaza arrangement. Concept A relocates the Veterans Memorial into a more central, shaded area near the park canopy and adds a cascading water feature to help mask US 1 traffic. Concept B keeps the Veterans Memorial in its present location but enlarges and re-paves the memorial area and proposes flexible decomposed-stone space for event uses or overflow parking adjacent to it.

Kimley-Horn also proposed reconfiguring the existing splash pad to increase play elements and shade, a permanent pavilion or small amphitheater for performances, additional parking along Harrison Street, a bus drop-off, a stormwater boardwalk with planting/bioswale elements, and feasibility study work for a floating kayak/canoe launch at one finger-dock area. Consultant comments emphasized the concepts are meant to show possibilities and that detailed construction designs — including tree protection and final siting — would follow public input and council direction.

Funding and schedule City staff said the splash pad replacement was already budgeted at roughly $1 million in the near-term and that the existing portable stage needs replacement (estimated at about $200,000). Staff presented the project-level numbers discussed at the workshop: an approximate $3 million total project estimate; $1,590,000 in grant awards to date (an awarded Land and Water Conservation grant for $1,500,000, a Florida Inland Navigation District water-assistance grant for $50,000, and a separate $40,000 dock assistance award); and about $1,500,000 in pending grant applications including a Division of Arts and Culture grant and other construction-phase requests. Brian Benton said the city will not commit to spending $3 million of local funds and that some splash-pad work is likely to proceed regardless of other outcomes.

Public comment: veterans, businesses, parking and safety Public comment was the dominant portion of the workshop. Multiple speakers — including several self-identified veterans and representatives of veterans organizations — strongly opposed moving the Veterans Memorial. One veteran who identified himself as retired law enforcement said, “There is no way do they want that, the Veterans Memorial moved. No way.” Steve Hamlin of American Legion Post 189 said he supports Concept B and asked whether the plan provides pads for honor guards and rifle bearers; staff replied those details would be coordinated with veterans groups.

Local business owners and property managers raised concerns about a proposed closure of Harrison Street and how a closure would affect access, emergency response and daily commerce. Damien Gilliams, who said his family owns a longtime waterfront business near Harrison Street, told the workshop he would oppose a permanent street closure and warned it could force traffic through private parking areas and affect emergency access. Roshan Desai, owner of Rpad Dry Cleaners, asked whether a relocated splash pad would include restrooms; staff said restroom needs will be evaluated for the entire park in later design.

Other recurring concerns and requests included: - Dock and pier repair. Multiple speakers asked that wooden docks be replaced with composite (Trex-style) materials and that lighting and railings be brought up to code. One resident urged the city to repair docks and add more seating and shade. - Parking and event logistics. Business owners and residents said overflow parking and trailer parking are chronic problems during large events and asked the city to consider additional off-site parking, shuttles or internal circulation changes. Several speakers asked for clearer provisions for vendor service areas and porta-potty locations during high-attendance events. - Playground and splash pad design. Parents and a former teacher asked for age-segregated playground spaces and fenced toddler areas around spray/play equipment. Staff said the playground and splash pad will be replaced and that detailed designs, including safety and surfacing, will be part of the construction-phase design with public input.

Staff direction and next steps City staff said the workshop is one step in the master-planning process following earlier public workshops 8–10 months ago and committee discussions. Benton and staff said they will collect the feedback, refine the concept plans, coordinate with veterans groups and other stakeholders on specific requirements (for example, honor-guard pads and memorial bricks), and bring a revised plan to City Council for consideration. No formal actions or votes were taken at the workshop.

Ending Attendees were encouraged to follow up with City Manager Brian Benton or Parks and Recreation Director Richard Blankenship for more information. Staff reiterated that final designs, park construction documents and any changes that require funding allocations would be subject to future public review and council approvals.