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New city manager Sarah Campbell greets committee; staff outline pool, skatepark and waterfront projects
Summary
At the Dec. 10 Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting Sarah Campbell introduced herself as the city’s new manager and staff reported on completed pool resurfacing pending permits, skatepark rehabilitation timeline, bids for batting cages and waterfront facilities, and donated beach wheelchairs.
Sarah Campbell, who said she started as Fernandina Beach’s city manager seven days before the meeting, introduced herself to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and described elements of her prior parks experience in Orange Park, including work on a regional park, sports complex partnerships and a skateboard park.
“My name is Sarah Campbell. I'm your new city manager as of 7 days ago,” Campbell told the committee, noting she was still “ramping up” but welcomed contact from members with questions.
Parks staff then delivered multiple project updates. Scott Michaelson, the department director, reported that resurfacing at the Martin Luther King Pool is complete and that a new fence on the pool’s south side has been installed; the pool’s opening is pending two required permits from the health and building departments. Egan’s Creek fitness equipment has been installed and crews are working at Potomac Courts with an anticipated near‑term completion window.
Staff said the Hickory Street Park restroom/pavilion purchase order has been completed and the city is coordinating utility connections; the skate park rehabilitation’s second phase should return from galvanizing and be reinstalled by the end of January, and the commission approved $30,000 toward skate‑park expansion earlier in December. The batting cages project at Central Park is out to bid, supported by a $50,000 county grant (closing date recorded in the meeting notes), and two separate bids for the Waterfront Park pavilion and restrooms are also underway.
Staff highlighted volunteer and partnership programs: the city continues a volunteer program that could support beach‑access adoption and maintenance (working with Keep Nassau Beautiful and local groups), and the nonprofit 8 Flakes Playscapes donated two beach wheelchairs; staff removed beach‑wheelchair fees from the fee schedule as a result and said photos and a thank‑you will be posted to social media.
The committee also discussed parade safety and lighting after a recent lighted Christmas parade; members urged staff and organizers to consider temporary lighting or other measures to improve visibility on darker blocks.
The meeting closed after staff and members exchanged holiday wishes and the chair thanked staff for the year’s work.
