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Residents and TDA urge county to protect parks funding, highlight sports tourism gains
Summary
Multiple residents and a Sanford Tourism Development Authority representative urged commissioners not to cut parks and recreation funding, saying local sports tourism delivers millions in visitor spending and supports hotels and restaurants.
Several speakers urged the board to preserve or increase funding for Lee County parks and recreation and to proceed with planned capital improvements.
"Parks are not a luxury, but they're an investment in our community," Chad Spivey (S18) said, asking commissioners to "stand with families, children and citizens of the county by preserving parks and recreation funding." Wendy Bridal (S22) from the Sanford Tourism Development Authority said recreation‑related spending rose from $10.2 million in 2021 to over $15 million in 2024 and said the Lee County Athletic Park drew 186,400 visits since August alone, driving hotel stays and local restaurant revenue.
Several other volunteers and coaches described parks programs' benefits for children, volunteers and local businesses. Speakers warned that cutting parks funding would reduce youth programming and the economic benefits that travel teams and sports tournaments bring to the county.
Commissioners acknowledged the comments as they moved later into budget deliberations, where parks funding and capital projects were part of the broader discussion about tax rates and fund‑balance use in the FY26‑27 budget.
