County Commissioner Open to Alternatives to Artificial Turf at Crescent Beach Family Park | News, Sports, Jobs – FORT MYERS

A group of friends and family play volleyball at Crescent Beach Family Park on Fort Myers Beach before Hurricane Ian. The county did not replace the volleyball net at the park and plans to cover the sand with artificial turf. File photo by Nathan Mayberg

Ray Sandelli (District 3) of Lee County, whose district includes Fort Myers Beach, said he is open to alternative proposals for Crescent Beach Family Park after county commissioners approved plans for a new artificial turf field to cover the sand at the county park on Fort Myers Beach.

Sandelli’s statement followed mixed reactions from city officials and residents, who were particularly shocked by the county’s lack of community input into the plan.

A $1 million plan approved by Lee County commissioners would replace the sand at Crescent Beach Family Park with a synthetic turf field and shade structures, while eliminating space for beach volleyball, a popular pastime at the park. The park’s beach volleyball net hasn’t been replaced since Hurricane Ian.

Sandelli, who was not present for the county commissioners’ vote, said he was aware of the plans and supported them, but said he was open to reevaluating the project if the public had concerns. “It doesn’t matter what options you offer, some will like them and some won’t.” he said.

While Mayor Dan Allers said he had previously been in discussions with the county about the city potentially purchasing the park, he said those discussions did not progress. He said there “first conversations” about what would happen to the park, but that the city had no say in the designs. He did say that he thinks the artificial grass could have a positive effect if it attracts more people.

Lee County Commissioner Ray Sandelli. Photo by Nathan Mayberg

“If the artificial grass increases the use of the park, that will be beneficial,” said Allers. “The park was underutilized, as were the volleyball courts. Green space is always inviting.”

Sandelli, whose term expires in November and who is not running for re-election, said the county “little willing to sell” the park to the city. “We would like to keep the plots of land we have.”

Jacki Liszak, president of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, said: “No one from the province or the city has personally contacted me or the House about the plans for the park.”

Liszak said that she “some light discussions with various commissioners about how important it is to clean up the park and reopen it to the public.” Liszak says that this was a long time ago, when there was still rubble everywhere in the park.

“They’ve done the cleaning part and it’s somewhat open,” said Liszak.

The Lee County Board of County Commissioners has approved a plan that will replace the sand at Crescent Beach Family Park with artificial turf and eliminate beach volleyball from the park. File photo

“I personally don’t mind a little bit of artificial grass, I think it would look nice in shady areas, along with landscaping. I don’t think it needs to cover the whole area,” said Liszak. “That is a very large space and there are concerns about leaching.”

Liszak also believes that the province is still expected to maintain the artificial turf field and keep it free of sand that blows over it, despite forecasts from provincial commissioners that the turf field would lead to lower maintenance costs.

Fort Myers Beach Councilman Scott Safford said he doesn’t believe the county has contacted anyone.

“What they should have done was get input from everyone before making a decision,” said Safford.

I don’t know a single person who is in favor of artificial grass on the beach. It makes no sense. Families come to the beach to enjoy the water and put their toes in the sand.

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a song about going to the beach and sticking my toes in the artificial grass.”

Andy Hyatt, beach manager for the city of Fort Myers, said no one from the area has spoken to him about plans for Crescent Beach Family Park.

Fort Myers Beach Councilman John King said: “I appreciate the county’s willingness to invest money in the park. However, I was not contacted prior to the Board of County Commissioners vote or afterward regarding Crescent Beach Family Park.”

Fort Myers Beach Councilwoman Karen Woodson, who has described herself as the City Council’s liaison with the county and who ran for office in part on a platform of working more closely with county government, said: “I was unfortunately not aware of the plans. I hope to meet with the County Manager and County Commissioner in August to share the vision for Times Square from the owners’ perspective, and how the new pier, Times Square, Crescent Park and Lynn Hall Park can all be cohesive in the rebuild.”

There was no response to multiple messages sent through county spokespeople to Lee County Manager Dave Harner seeking comment on past public outreach activities or possible future community engagement initiatives regarding the park plans.

“I don’t understand the fake grass instead of the white sand that locals and visitors enjoy,” said former Fort Myers Beach Mayor Tracey Gore. “People play volleyball there all the time. It makes no sense to replace that healthy outdoor activity with artificial turf, which takes away the fun of volleyball that many people enjoy. We need more outdoor activities for the younger people that don’t involve alcohol, and we have that now with volleyball. I think they should add playground equipment as well.”

The county acquired the beachfront property for the park in 2010 at a foreclosure auction for $5.6 million after Hurricane Charley destroyed the former Howard Johnson, Days Inn and Sandman Motels. The county also acquired the former Seafarer’s Mall and parking lot across the street, which is currently vacant and used periodically by the county police and other county users. At one point before the county purchased the property, the park was to have been part of a development plan for Times Square.