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Sunny Isles Beach reviews $2.9M concept to renovate Town Center Park; commissioners press on shade, restrooms and programming
Summary
City consultants proposed a Town Center Park concept that moves restrooms to Collins Avenue, adds multi-age play zones, more shade and water features and a flexible event lawn; commissioners pressed for clearer restroom siting, more integral shade and sharper decisions on lawn vs water play and exercise stations. Staff said schematic design could follow in weeks and construction drawings in about a year.
Consultants and city staff presented a concept design for a major renovation of Town Center Park, a high-use community park with a CIP placeholder of $2.9 million. The concept reconfigures the playground areas by age (2— 5 and 5— 12), moves the restroom building to a more visible location on Collins Avenue, adds shaded promenades, specimen trees and misting/water features, slightly expands parking and reserves a flexible lawn area for programming.
Sarah Landuchi (design consultant) said the plan prioritizes shade, inclusive play and better parent sight lines: "We think the concept really represents a thoughtful and forwardthinking investment for the city," she said, describing shaded promenades, integral seating under specimen trees and a promenade entry from Collins Avenue. Architect David Shaweri said the new restroom building will be sized to serve an occupant load estimate of 300— 400 and will include drinking fountains and a covered canopy for shade.
Commissioners raised multiple design questions: several urged more natural, tree-based shade rather than removable shade sails; others asked that the meditation garden retain separation and a distinct entrance for adults seeking quiet; several argued for more swings, more misting/water features and a larger continuous run area for informal kid play or ball games. Staff said the current concept preserves a loop circulation path and can enlarge the open-lawn area by reducing picnic seating.
On timing and cost, staff said the contract for concept design has funded the concept phase and that, if the commission approves the concept, schematic design and construction documents could follow quickly (architects estimated six to eight weeks to complete construction drawings after schematic approval), with construction likely to take about a year once out to bid.
City staff recommended returning to the commission with refined schematic designs; commissioners instructed staff to refine restroom siting options, expand integral shade, and present alternatives that shrink picnic clusters to increase usable lawn space and water-feature area.
Speakers quoted include Sarah Landuchi and David Shaweri. The concept was presented as a next-step recommendation; final design and bidding require further approvals and appropriation of construction funds.
