Residents and board push changes to Bahia Mar–funded Fort Lauderdale Beach Park plan

City staff presented a conceptual redesign for Fort Lauderdale Beach Park that would resurface existing basketball courts and add new pickleball courts, fitness equipment and landscaping under a parks bond allocation and an interlocal agreement with Bahia Mar.

Quentin Pugh, assistant city manager, told the Parks Advisory Board the 2019 parks bond earmarked $1,300,000 for the site and Bahia Mar has offered to contribute up to $1,000,000. “That gives us about $2,300,000 for the project,” Pugh said, adding that the city has a rough order-of-magnitude estimate of roughly $2.5 million and is expecting to close an approximately $200,000 shortfall with bond interest or other fees. He said the current interlocal agreement expires in January 2027 and staff will seek a three-year extension to complete design, permitting and construction, which staff estimated would take 35–40 months after approval.

The conceptual plan keeps the basketball courts in their current location, adds four pickleball courts north of the restroom area, relocates outdoor fitness equipment south of the proposed pickleball courts, provides synthetic turf “lawn” areas for passive use, and shows roughly 16 picnic tables and about 10 grills that would be relocated or replaced based on condition. Staff also noted one Australian pine on the site was identified as invasive and would be removed under the concept; further tree work would be addressed in design development.

The presentation prompted sustained questioning from board members and residents about placement, public access, and materials. A River Road Civic Association representative objected to the proposed synthetic turf, saying, “Who puts plastic grass on a beach? That is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard of,” and urged the board to oppose removing picnic access and family uses. Several board members echoed concerns about turf heat and aesthetics and suggested retaining natural plantings or sea oats instead.

Board members also pressed whether Bahia Mar would receive preferential access. Staff said the park would remain open to the public and operate on a first-come, first-served basis; staff said Bahia Mar’s funding request ties the funded improvements to the area near its bridge but does not carry reserved court time for hotel guests. “They have the same license in general labor. First come, first serve. It's a public beach,” Pugh said.

Members debated the number of pickleball courts. The original bond concept included two courts; commissioners at a previous conference meeting asked staff to explore four. Several board members suggested reducing the plan to two courts to reduce consolidation of grills and picnic tables and limit congestion at the site.

Several board members and residents urged the board to send a formal communication to the City Commission requesting that the conceptual plan remove artificial turf, reduce four pickleball courts to two, keep basketball courts in place, and allow additional public outreach time before a commission vote. The board agreed to prepare a letter conveying those preferences; staff said the June 2 commission agenda will present the conceptual design and that formal feedback can be incorporated as the project moves through 10/30/60/90% design checkpoints.

Next steps: staff will present the conceptual plan to the City Commission on Tuesday, June 2, and the board will forward a letter asking for (at minimum) no synthetic turf, fewer pickleball courts, retention of the basketball courts in place and more public comment opportunities.