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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 03_04/09/2009Tequesta Park Survey Summary April 3, 2009 The Village of Tequesta commissioned Roy-Fisher Associates and Glatting Jackson to survey Village residents regarding potential improvements to Tequesta Park. Tequesta Park is a 45 acre site on County Line Road in Martin County, near the Palm Beach County line. The property is owned by the State of Florida, and leased to the Village of Tequesta for SO years at $300/year. Tequesta Park is the Village's largest park, and is a vital component of the Village's parks system; without it the Village does not meet its Comprehensive Plan Level of Service (LOS) requirements for parks and open space. Because the park is part of Jonathon Dickenson State Park, the lease agreement stipulates that the Village should prepare and submit to the State a management plan outlining any proposed improvements to the park. TEQUESTA PARK HISTORY The park originated as a donation from the Kiwanis Club, originally conceiving the idea for and developing the baseball fields, a play area and a picnic pavilion. Around 15 years ago, the Village rebuilt and fenced the play area. Later, The Village constructed baseball fields and dug new wells necessary to irrigate them in the back of the park (costing approximately $200,000). The maintenance contract of the 6.5 acres of Bermuda field costs approximately $28,000 a year. The Village has also paid to resurface the tennis and basketball courts several times. The resurfacing vendors recommend a new sub-base/foundation for existing courts. As a result of subsurface conditions and budget requirements, the Village has not resurfaced the courts for the last few years; resulting in cracks in the courts with grass growing through. Hurricanes destroyed a beautiful stand of Sand Pines that provided shade throughout the park, and provided a cool, shady environment for birthday parties and craft festivals. After the Village removed the dead trees, Jupiter Hills donated money for a buffer along the northern edge. However the Village did not meet timetables for FEMA grants for additional trees, and chose not to accept assistance from the Jupiter-Tequesta Athletic Association (JTAA) to replant. CURRENT CONDITION AND USES Currently the primary park user groups include dog walkers, occasional tennis players and organized sports leagues sponsored by the Jupiter Tequesta Athletic Association (JTAA), a non- profit youth sports organization. The JTAA is the "provider" of organized sports league to Tequesta residents; the Village does not offer leagues of its own. As youth participation has increased, the JTAA has sought additional fields for both practice and competition; currently the JTAA uses the park for baseball, softball, soccer, rugby and basketball. Because the facilities have been in varying degrees of disrepair over the years, Tequesta Park has been the choice of last resort for many JTAA practices and games. The current lack of shade as well as the uneven surface where the dead trees were removed makes the park uncomfortable and unusable. There are no paved, accessible pathways to the tennis courts or playing fields. The park used to be a popular tennis spot, but because of the uncomfortable environment lacking shade, lack of surfaced paths to the courts and conditions of the courts, there is considerably less use. Local children, driven to the park by caretakers used the previous playground as a destination activity. The playground installed 15 years ago was recently determined to be unsafe and has been removed. The chain link fence around the removed playground remains. The basketball courts were used by JTAA at night. Because the lights are in disrepair (point up instead of down) they have discontinued using the courts. The Girl Scouts used the small building west of the play area for summer camps and activities but discontinued activities in Tequesta Park several years ago. AWARDED FRDAP GRANTS Tequesta Park has been awarded two $50,000 grants, totaling $100,000, from the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP). These grants do not require additional matching funds from the Village. The combined grants call out funding for the following improvements: hiking trails, landscaping, renovation of tennis courts, renovation of playground, basketball court, security lighting, picnic facilities, restroom, parking and other related support facilities. The grants require that construction of all project elements be completed on or before April 30, 2010. DEMOGRAPHICS 2007 data reveals Village of Tequesta's population at or around 6,000 persons (a 10% increase from the Census taken in the year 2000.) The 2000 Census Report counted 23% of households as containing children. Tequesta's age demographics changed considerably since the year 2000 when the Census was taken and a mere 10% increase may not accurately describe the change in residents' age. Young families have relocated into the Village of Tequesta as older residents have moved away. Theoretically, if the 10% increase that occurred in overall population was applied to households with children, these households would account for a minimum of 25% of the Village's population. It is most likely though, that next year's Census will show even a greater number of households with children. The need for additional park services for children is increasing. SURVEY DISTRIBUTION AND RESPONSE A survey with questions on frequency of use, desired facilities, age groups needing service, perception of maintenance and options for funding was prepared and submitted to the Village of Tequesta for distribution and posting on the Village website. Mailing the survey out with the Village Newsletter and/or the water bills was discussed but not implemented. Surveys were available at Constitution Park and handed out at recreation events. 45 surveys were filled out from these venues. Of these participants, 35 were residents and 10 were non residents. On March 12, 2009, 4 of the 5 Village Council members were interviewed about the parks development. An event to hand out the survey and interview residents in Tequesta Park was planned for March 14, 2009. Informing residents of the event via automatic calling or the large light up message signs was discussed but not implemented. Advertisement for the event was byword of mouth from the Parks Director and a sign mounted in Gallery Grill Restaurant. 17 people participated in the Park Event. Of these, 11 were residents. The local Rugby Club rallied its members to participate so that Rugby practice, play and tournaments could be accommodated. JTAA was also represented by top leadership participation. SURVEY SUMMARY AND INTERPRETATION The survey results are not statistically valid, since the sampling size was so small (a total of 50 residents, including Council members). However the respondents' comments were fairly consistent, which indicates a general consensus regarding top priority needs for improvements. Generally, respondents agreed that Tequesta Park is a major asset for the Village, and should serve a different need for residents than Constitution Park. Constitution Park fills the need for traditional "Neighborhood Park" facilities for the community, such as a playground, basketball courts and the small skateboard park, and is within walking or bicycling distance of many residents; it is particularly well-suited to meet the needs of families with small children. Tequesta Park is viewed as the Villages' "Community Park", providing activities for teenagers and adults, and larger venues such as athletic fields and trails that require more land. Based on the surveys and interviews, top priority needs to be considered at Tequesta Park include: • Walking/ hiking trails • Bicycle/ skating trails • Dog park • Baseball/ softball, soccer/ rugby and multi-purpose fields • Playground • Swimming pool/ aquatics facility Almost all respondents also mentioned the need for shade trees and improvements to existing facilities. NEXT STEPS The next step in the planning process is to develop a Master Plan for Tequesta Park, illustrating a long range vision to meet the needs indentified form the surveys. A Master Plan is particularly important if the Village wishes to meet the requirements of the FRDAP grants, requiring completion of proposed improvements by April 30, 2010. A preliminary (and very ambitious) schedule includes: • Master Plan (2 months) • Approval (1 month, subject to DEP) • Construction Documents (2 months) • Bidding (1 month) • Construction (6 months) The following issues will need to be addressed during the Master Planning process: • Determine the condition of existing sports courts to establish cost effectiveness of the courts remaining in their present location vs. relocation. • Confirm availability/cost of accessing reuse water. • Research management plan and agreement with the State regarding requirements for on- site ranger. • Determine ownership of access road to west to determine if it can be used to access the northern portion of the park by car. • Begin a dialogue with JTAA to determine potential resources • Begin a dialogue with Girl Scouts to determine future use of/potential removal of building. • Begin dialogue with Jupiter Hills to determine cost participation in tree planting. • Determine changes and costs of those changes that will be necessary to bring the restroom up to ADA requirements. • Determine which lights are working, which can be repaired, which need to be replaced. Once these issues are addressed, the Master Plan may include: • Shade Tree restoration plan • Walking, hiking, bicycling trails of a variety of surfaces • Additional/improved playing fields • Additional/improved sports courts including accommodation for a potential tennis program • Play area as a destination activity but also convenient to sports fields/courts to accommodate parents with children in sports programs that also have young children. • Additional amenities inside fenced area to accommodate a dog park. • Shelter for tennis players and additional picnic areas • Improved restroom facilities to meet ADA requirements. • Additional parking at rear of park if determined feasible • Additional lights/repair existing if feasible • Management plan for exotic removal, natural area refurbishment • Construction cost estimate • Phasing plan SUMMARY Tequesta Park is an incredibly valuable asset to the community, but is a rough "jewel" that needs to be polished to regain its original luster. Village demographics have changed since the park was originally constructed, and Village residents have indicated the need for a new playground, trails, improved athletic fields and tennis courts, a dog park, shade and multi- purpose open space -the kinds of facilities that are not available at the smaller Constitution Park. The Village has been awarded $100,000 in grants, but needs to move quickly to meet the grant deadlines. The next step would be to create a Master Plan, Construction Cost Estimate and Phasing Plan that outline a phased approach to redevelopment of the park, based on available funding. The first phase of redevelopment -scheduled for completion in April 2010 - would address the improvements outlined in the FRDAP grants including hiking trails, landscaping, renovation of the tennis courts, renovation (replacement) of the playground, basketball court, security lighting, picnic facilities, restroom, parking and other related support facilities. It should be determined during the Master Planning process whether additional funds will be needed to complete these proposed phase one improvements.