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Lake Worth Beach commissioners pull Bryant Park fitness-park proposal, direct staff to repair existing equipment
Summary
After residents and commissioners raised concerns about design, heat, maintenance and sightlines, commissioners reached consensus to stop pursuing the proposed Bryant Park fitness park and asked staff to return with options to repair or replace the park's existing fitness equipment.
City leisure-services staff told the commission they had received resident comments about the proposed Bryant Park fitness park and recommended a public outreach campaign to gather resident input before proceeding.
“...we did reach out, and we did find out that Deerfield, in fact, did not have the marine package,” Director of Leisure Services Tianna McKay said, answering commissioner questions about comparable installations. Commissioners said they had spoken with many nearby residents and heard strong opposition to the proposed design and concerns about maintenance, heat exposure and sightlines that could impede park safety monitoring.
Commissioner Anthony Segrech said he had met residents and was prepared to vote against the design. He proposed a course correction: “I can do consensus to give staff direction to no longer pursue that fitness park, but pursue repairing the existing structures,” he said. Several commissioners agreed, including Vice Mayor Mimi May, who suggested repairing or shading existing equipment and obtaining better price estimates rather than pursuing an expensive new installation.
Staff confirmed they would arrange follow-up meetings with a local resident experienced in repairs and return with options for repair, replacement or modest upgrades. The commission also agreed to remove the fitness-park line item from the current budget amendment and to keep a separate $75,000 school grant item on the agenda to be considered for allocation.
