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Avon Park advisory backs exploring floating fishing docks, asks staff for final pricing and ADA plans
Summary
Advisory board members favored a floating dock at Lake Tain near the boat ramp to reduce safety and maintenance risks, asked staff to secure engineering and price estimates (including ADA access and parking) and signaled willingness to realign seawall funds if needed.
The City of Avon Park CRA advisory board on Thursday signaled support for pursuing a floating fishing dock at Lake Tain and asked staff to return with specific engineering prices, ADA-compliant access plans and parking solutions.
City Manager (City Manager) told the advisory the FY26 budget included $40,000 for a fixed fishing pier and $115,000 for a seawall but that field visits showed Lake Tain’s water level fluctuates widely. He said the budgetary figure was based on a traditional fixed wooden pier and raised concern that, if built at a mid level, the structure could become an attractive nuisance when the water is low and pose safety risks for children. “One of my fears is…kids go and jump off and the water’s actually really low and I don’t want something to happen to the kids there,” staff said.
Staff recommended a floating dock—common in other local lakes—because it rises and falls with water levels and can be anchored on posts to remain in place. Residents and users who spoke during the discussion generally supported a floating dock sited near the existing boat ramp rather than the permitted swimming beach. “I like the idea it being a floating dock…maybe if not on the swimming side, it could go on the fishing side where we all fish at,” resident Brenda Gray said.
Longtime resident Tom Mlin told the advisory he had used similar floating docks at nearby Hardy Lakes and favored a floating design for storm resilience and maintenance; he also warned against siting a fishing dock at a permitted swimming area because of alligators and the attraction of diving. “Those are strictly for fishing because there’s way too many gators out there for anybody to want to go swimming,” Mlin said.
Board members pressed staff on ADA requirements, noting accessible routes, gangways and slope exceptions can add engineering work and costs. Staff said adding sidewalks, accessible parking and an engineered ramp or gangway could push the project well beyond the original $40,000 line item. The board suggested some seawall funds could be repurposed to shore up parking and access, and members urged staff to return with firm vendor pricing and a specific funding request rather than proceed piecemeal.
The advisory did not take a binding vote to commit additional funds at the meeting; instead it provided direction to staff to obtain bids, clarify ADA compliance pathways and report back with a recommended budget adjustment.
