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City shows conceptual plan to keep basketball courts, add pickleball and fixed amenities at Fort Lauderdale Beach Park
Summary
The city and design firm EDSA presented a conceptual plan to refurbish basketball courts in place, add four lit pickleball courts, a fitness zone and a synthetic flex lawn; staff estimated an opinion of probable cost of about $2.5 million against $1.3M parks bond funding and up to $1M in CDD contributions, and asked the commission for direction to advance design.
City staff and landscape architect EDSA presented a revised conceptual site plan for Fort Lauderdale Beach Park on May 5 that would refurbish the two existing basketball courts in place, add four lit pickleball courts to the south, install an outdoor fitness zone and create a 5,000‑square‑foot synthetic flex lawn and new landscaping.
Quinton Pew, assistant city manager, said the plan reflects continued dialogue with the Behemar Community Development District (CDD) and the developer who offered to fund the conceptual design work. EDSA vice president Michael Ghart (Ghart) walked the commission through the layout and character images: a central plaza anchored by the historic basketball courts, dune‑style landscaping to reduce sand on courts, lit fenced pickleball courts, seating, picnic amenities and a consolidated fitness area. Ghart said the concept emphasizes pedestrian connections and dune restoration to improve ecological function and park usability.
Cost, funding and next steps: staff said the opinion of probable cost is approximately $2.5 million. Sources identified for the project include the city’s parks bond ($1.3 million) and up to $1 million pledged by the Behemar CDD; staff outlined options to close the remaining gap through external grants, value engineering or re‑scoping. Staff asked the commission for general consensus to proceed to design development and said an interlocal agreement amendment with the CDD would be brought forward no later than July 2.
Commissioners and members of the public raised questions about synthetic turf versus natural grass on the flex lawn, the preservation of existing barbecue and picnic areas, placement of fitness equipment, tree plantings and whether any new private concessions would be allowed under the beach frontage. Staff answered that the flex lawn was proposed as synthetic turf to reduce maintenance and improve all‑access usability but said alternatives (real turf or sand) could be considered during design; staff also said concessions are not included in the current conceptual plan and would require separate review.
This account is based on the Fort Lauderdale City Commission conference meeting transcript for May 5, 2026.
