The Fort Myers Beach Town Council has agreed to spend $232,500 to install a new irrigation system and sod on the field at Bay Oaks. The money will come from the town’s park impact fee budget.
When the town received a $1 million grant in 2022 (plus a $1 million local match) from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection the money was used to purchase new palm trees, add 4 pickleball courts, fix drainage, and build a nearly quarter mile walking path around the outside of the field. The remaining funds were used to use hydroseed to try grow grass but without a permanent irrigation system in place, and outside of the rainy season, the seeding did not take. There had to be grant modifications requested by the town changing the scope of the project, and an extension, due to Hurricane Ian.
The town awarded the $232,500 contract to its current landscaping company Tidewater. The project includes both new sod and a permanent irrigation system. That means the field will be irrigated regularly, much like the Little League field, giving the grass a much better opportunity to thrive over the long term.
If the land blossoms into a comfortable field of green grass, the town would like to be able to use the field for community events. There has also been chatter about adding a band shell for concerts.
Park impact fees are collected when a permit is issued for a new development.
It’s ironic that they voted to spend this money right after discussing the proposed tax increase…….And yes, I realize it’s from a different “fund”, but in reality it’s it a clear example of the way they like to spend?
Planting grass seed without irrigation and thinking it would grow…whose brain child was that? More wasted dollars!
There is no grass planted yet. Do you live on the beach?
It says they did plant and it didn’t take.
And, what about a dog park? There are more dogs then children on this island, yet, I never see any move towards fulfilling this need. And, driving every day to Bonita to use their dog park seems so sad and unnecessary. Many areas of the beach are no longer leased dog friendly yet, not one word about this. Since this island only cares about turtles, children and tourists someone should be considering where the tourists will be taking their dogs.
This is another example of mis-management. How many children live on this island? The Town’s decisions are forcing families out and rental investors in. The number of families with children is decreasing. This money should have been used on drainage, a major issue all over the island.