Coral Gables seeks state grant to rebuild Cooper Park with new playground, fencing

Community Recreation Director Fred Cucero presented the finalized design for Cooper Park and asked residents to support an application to the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) for up to $200,000 in state grant funding. Cucero said the park design and community input process are complete and the project is moving to permit and bid phases.

The project team says Cooper Park’s design centers on a nature-based playground and a “wheel” or gear layout that stitches two diagonal lots together. Planned features include two play areas (ages 2–5 and 5–12), a Volo playground system, artificial turf safety surfacing and play mounds, a two-bay swing (including a “mommy-and-me” style swing), a FlexiPave walking surface, benches, picnic table, drinking fountain with bottle filler, shade structures, bike racks, trash receptacles and a perimeter picket fence. Cucero said the city will also install a monument sign and low-level landscape lighting.

Cucero noted the grant is competitive and that state funding is not guaranteed: "it's a competitive program based on the park project... you can't ask for more than 200,000, and the city has to provide a matching grant." He added that in years when the Legislature does not appropriate FRDAP funds, projects are not awarded.

The city reported that community outreach for Cooper Park took place earlier in 2024: a public meeting was held April 25, 2024, with an input period that ran through May 2024. Cucero told attendees the concept has been finalized and the project has moved into permit plan and drawing phases; the city estimates procurement of a construction firm by June 2026 and park construction and completion in 2026.

Residents who spoke at the meeting offered both support and concerns. Lee Cooper, who identified herself as the granddaughter of William and Leona Cooper, said, "we have about, like, 30 a little 30 kids in the neighborhood that are under the age of 10 who will really, really benefit from the park." Other residents raised concerns about preserving green space and whether the playground program fit an area with a sizable elderly population; Cucero said the playground design followed the community input process and that Nellie B. Moore Park would remain a passive green space as a result of that input.

Cucero also said the city is discussing a possible property purchase that could affect the park layout; he said the design would be updated if additional property is acquired. The presentation emphasized that the city intends to provide the required local match and that Cooper is a shovel‑ready project intended to score well under FRDAP priorities such as health and well‑being, public access and accessibility.

Public comments and the presentation were recorded for the city’s meeting record. The city will include the comments in the grant record and proceed with permit work ahead of bid and construction if the grant and other financing are secured.