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Deltona unveils multi‑park upgrade plan, seeks ECHO grants for three sites
Summary
City staff presented a package of park improvements including Keeseville Dog Park, Festival Park and Lakeshore Park; the administration plans three ECHO grant applications and recommended reallocated budget funds to advance Lakeshore and Veterans Park work.
City of Deltona staff on Monday laid out a multi‑park improvement program that officials said would be funded through a mix of budget reallocations and grant applications.
Parks and recreation project manager Mark Manning described proposed upgrades at Keeseville Dog Park — including an accessible PIP walking trail, standardized 20x20 pavilions, irrigation and artificial turf in high‑use areas — and said the city will apply for ECHO (Environmental, Community, and Historical Outreach) grant funding. Manning said he was “quite confident” the Keeseville application will succeed and noted restroom replacement, lighting and parking improvements as part of the plan.
Festival Park, located near Howland and the Walmart, was presented as a candidate for reconfiguration to increase green space and safety. Manning said the plan would relocate vehicle access, expand pavilion and playground areas, reconstruct a dock for fishing and relocate the boat ramp and associated parking; he cautioned that several waterfront elements require approval from St. Johns Water Management District before asphalt or permanent changes can proceed.
Manning also described a consolidated approach to pickleball and tennis court siting. After public concerns about paddle noise, the administration said it would retain four courts at Harris Saxon and move an eight‑court proposal to Lakeshore Park, which staff said is a better fit for expansion; Lakeshore is also one of three parks the city will submit for ECHO funding.
Commissioners questioned the timing of splash‑pad work, parking expansions and whether previously promised investments would be delivered. Commissioner Harriet asked that investments promised during the budget process not be reallocated without clear justification. Finance staff and the city manager told commissioners that budget amendments and carryover entries were used to adjust fiscal year 2024‑25 and 2025‑26 allocations; the commission later approved a separate budget amendment reallocating funds into Lakeshore and Veterans parks.
The commission did not vote on any single project during the presentation but approved, later in the meeting, a budget amendment that moves funds among park projects to prioritize Lakeshore and Veterans parks. Staff said some projects will be funded from prior‑year carryover while others will depend on grant awards and final cost estimates. The administration recommended continuing design work and returning to the commission with cost details and contract recommendations where applicable.
The presentation closed with follow‑up commitments: staff will produce project cost estimates, consult St. Johns where waterways are involved, and report back with design reports and timelines for construction bids.
