Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parks master plan finds Fort Myers about 37% short of national green‑space benchmark; bond would be ad valorem
Summary
Parks & Recreation Director Elgin Hicks told the board the city has about 777 acres of parkland (including cemeteries and golf courses), about 7.8 acres per 1,000 population versus the national benchmark of 12.4, and staff proposes a parks general obligation bond to expand parks, trails and amenities; outreach will be educational only due to state advertising limits.
Elgin Hicks, director of parks and recreation, presented a parks and recreation master plan prepared with Perez Planning, summarizing public input, levels‑of‑service benchmarking and conceptual designs for neighborhood and community parks. "We're at about 7.8 acres per parkland per thousand population, which the national benchmark is 12.4," Hicks said, and noted the city is roughly 37% below the national benchmark.
Hicks outlined priority projects (City View Park, Gulf View pool reconfiguration, Shady Oaks boardwalk extension, Billy's Creek kayak launch) and said some projects await federal funding or Army Corps approvals: the Gulf View pool has ongoing maintenance issues and the design is contingent on FEMA and Army Corps work. He described partnerships—Lee Schools and volunteer groups—and said outreach will be limited to education and factual information because a 2022 law change constrains the city’s ability to spend public funds on advocacy for ballot measures.
Why it matters: The proposed parks GO bond would be ad valorem and affect tax bills; the master plan sets priorities for capital spending, open‑space connectivity and amenities that affect quality of life and economic development.
What’s next: Hicks asked to return with a more formal presentation with city management as design work and funding specifics are refined.
