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Council directs parks work: investigate trailhead parking to conservation area, stabilize Provost Park, funds approved for Stradley improvements and special‑use
Summary
Council and staff reviewed park priorities, approved a city share for Stradley football‑field concessions, instructed staff to investigate parking and trail access to the Cocoa Conservation Area from Junie Rios, authorized grant pursuit for a soccer mini‑pitch, and approved up to $100,000 for special‑needs playground equipment.
Council members and staff used the priority‑setting workshop to review a cluster of parks items: ongoing maintenance and safety at Provost Park, user priorities for Junie Rios Park, capital needs at Stradley Park, and requests for special‑needs equipment and a small “mini‑pitch” soccer facility.
Missus Morgan presented survey results for Junie Rios Park, saying a walking loop and playground expansion ranked highest among respondents and that $638,000 was available to fund improvements. She provided estimated costs: $70,000 for a perimeter walking loop (including tennis court stabilization), $50,000–$100,000 for playground expansion, $150,000 for a pavilion and $180,000 for two pickleball courts — roughly $500,000 in potential work.
Councilmembers also raised recurring complaints about Provost Park — reports of overnight sleeping, trash near concession stands and drug activity — and asked staff to prioritize stabilization and enforcement. Police staff told the council they make twice‑night patrols of parks, issue trespass warnings and arrest when warnings are ignored.
Council member Deputy Mayor Weeks moved and council agreed unanimously to ask staff to investigate establishing an access/parking area and trailhead from the Junie Rios easement into the Cocoa Conservation Area, to stabilize areas of the park that are washing out (including near tennis court undermining), and to prioritize improvements to the park walking loop and signage.
On Stradley Park, staff brought county cost estimates for renovating the football concessions area: total cost $619,300, with the county budgeting $284,000 and the city asked to cover a $335,300 shortfall if council approves. Council approved moving forward with the football‑field concessions work (city portion $335,300), and noted the county has separately budgeted $200,000 for softball/baseball concessions.
Council also directed staff to pursue available grants and partnerships to build a soccer mini‑pitch (a small, walled artificial‑surface field often sited on an old tennis court) and to pursue a grant application in the upcoming March cycle in coordination with Space Coast United Soccer for programming.
Finally, after reviewing quotes and site options, council approved a motion to spend up to $100,000 to acquire special‑needs playground equipment for placement at Provost Park (staff will verify exact equipment, site layout and compatibility with other parks as part of implementation). The vote was unanimous.
Staff will return with costed designs, easement clarifications for the Junie Rios/Conservation Area access, and grant application materials.
