Sunny Isles Beach previews $2.9 million concept to overhaul Town Center Park with new play areas, shade and restrooms

City staff and consultants presented a concept for renovating Town Center Park at a commission meeting, proposing a $2.9 million capital investment that would replace aging play equipment, relocate restrooms, add specimen trees and shade, and rework circulation and seating.

Deputy city staff summarized the case for renovation, noting the park opened more than 15 years ago and receives heavy daily use. "This is one of our most used parks," a deputy manager said, citing a device-count metric the city uses to estimate visits.

Consultant Sarah Landuchi walked commissioners through the concept: a signature corner plaza on Collins Avenue, a shaded promenade leading to a gated, multi-age play area (ages 2—, 5—2, plus swings and embankment slides), integrated seating under specimen trees, a re-sited restroom pavilion with canopy and drinking fountains, flexible lawn for programming, a quiet picnic area, and about 10 additional parking spaces. David Shaweri described restroom design options and said the new building would include multiple stalls and canopies to provide shade and shelter.

Commissioner feedback focused on several recurring themes: not putting the restroom in the center of active park uses; adding more swings and water/misting features; preserving and enhancing the meditation garden as a quieter adult space (some commissioners proposed a separate entrance for it); and clarifying how much open lawn to retain versus hardscape or water play. Several commissioners said the exercise stations around the park are underused and suggested concentrating or moving them to other locations, while endorsing pull-up bars that get steady use.

Designers said they will revise the concept and return with schematic designs and construction drawings if the commission endorses moving forward. Staff proposed bringing the refined schematic back in June and proceeding to construction drawings and bidding thereafter. Consultants estimated construction could take roughly a year once bidding is complete.

Speakers quoted in this story include Sarah Landuchi and David Shaweri, the lead design consultants; the deputy manager who introduced the package; and several commissioners who asked for more shading, water features and a reconsideration of restroom placement. The commission also signaled support to relocate an on-site sculpture to open up the design area. No construction contract or final funding appropriation was approved at this meeting; staff said $2.9 million is in the CIP and further steps would follow design approval.