Council reviews Tequesta Park master plan, discusses pickleball courts, maintenance shed and security

Tequesta — Village staff presented a proposed master plan and an engineering work authorization to develop construction plans for Tequesta Park at a March 31 council workshop, and council discussed facility mix, trail improvements, removal of invasive species and security/camera needs.

Village Manager Jeremy told council the village secured a state appropriation tied to the project and that the capital budget includes local matching funds. He also said staff has engaged Kimley‑Horn to prepare design plans and that the next step is to return to council for formal consideration of the full proposal.

Why it matters: Tequesta Park is a regional facility used by residents and neighboring communities; a master plan will guide long‑term public improvements, construction plans and future maintenance responsibilities.

Staff described two design topics council asked be revisited: (1) recreation court layout — whether to keep both sand volleyball courts or replace one with more pickleball courts — and (2) the eventual removal of a trailer and placement of a maintenance shed. Parks staff and a consultant noted the plan reorients fields to create event‑friendly open space up front and places baseball fields toward the rear to improve circulation for large gatherings.

Staff said the project materials in council’s backup identify a state appropriation and matching funds in the village capital budget. As presented at the workshop, staff said the village had an appropriation “which is a $65.35 matching grant up to, I think, $680,000,” and that $250,000 is currently set aside in the capital surtax fund for local matching. (Staff noted these figures in the briefing materials; the council asked for staff to return with confirmed grant and match amounts for formal action.)

Council members praised the plan’s organization and public‑input process but asked staff to preserve sand volleyball if community preference supports it, to consider converting one tennis court into pickleball courts to increase local courts without expanding the park footprint, and to identify options for a large, temporary event footprint and parking. Parks Director Greg Corbett and other staff described ongoing grant applications to remove invasive plants and to improve trails with mulch, edge work and signage.

On buildings and utilities, staff said proposed maintenance and concession structures are expected to be prefabricated; Kimley‑Horn’s current scope will produce 90% construction plans, with geotechnical and survey work to be contracted separately. Council asked staff to confirm whether structural and MEP work for prefabricated buildings will be provided by the manufacturer or require additional engineering under separate contract. Staff also discussed low‑voltage and camera locations, noting power will be available at the entrance and field areas but that perimeter coverage could be costly.

Ending: Staff will bring a refined plan and the Kimley‑Horn work authorization back to council for formal consideration, with updated cost and grant details and options addressing pickleball/volleyball tradeoffs, trail improvements and security needs.