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Historic‑walk proposal for Ponce De Leon Park paused; HPAB urged phased approach
Summary
A proposed history walk and bronze bust installation at Ponce De Leon Park, conceived by HPAB members and a local nonprofit, remains paused while the city schedules larger park redesign work; the proposal calls for community fundraising of about $50,000 and city supervision of development and maintenance.
The Historic Preservation Advisory Board recorded a written comment from member Lucille Ponti describing a plan to create a history walk and install a bronze bust at Ponce De Leon Park. Ponti’s submitted summary described collaboration with Kent Kretzler of the nonprofit Bridal Order of Ponce de Leon Conquistadors and proposed community fundraising of roughly $50,000 to pay for signage, a history walk and related enhancements.
Ponti wrote that the bust is currently housed at the Military Heritage Museum and that an executive summary, talking points and presentation had been drafted before hurricane damage delayed the project. “The goals of the proposed history walk were as follows: 1, to educate and celebrate history of Punta Gorda in Charlotte Harbor; 2, to revitalize park appearance and visitor experience; 3, to support the city's brand as a historical destination; and 4, to increase public interest in and attendance at the park,” her prepared remarks said.
Why it matters: The project would add interpretive signage and a new historical point of interest to a public park; HPAB and the nonprofit envisioned the city supervising development and long‑term maintenance while the community raised most funds.
Staff response and timeline: City staff said the park redesign is part of a longer‑term plan and that urban design advised the history‑walk proposal would likely need to wait until the broader Ponce De Leon Park redesign — a timetable staff estimated at five to ten years. Staff and board members discussed whether a phased approach could allow parts of the history walk to proceed in the interim to maintain momentum.
Next steps: Staff said it could reach out to Ponti and the nonprofit to explore whether a phased installation or interim features make sense while the park redesign schedule is clarified. No formal funding or approval was acted on at the meeting.
Ending: HPAB requested the city keep the project on its agenda and explore phased options so the history walk can be reconsidered as park design progresses.
