Cape Coral's Jaycee Park: Neighbors, council face off over update plans for beloved park

Despite opposition, Cape Coral officials are marching forward with Jaycee Park improvements, though a construction day for the project seems likely far away.

"I've listened to all of you, I disagree with you on this one," Councilmember Tom Hayden said when addressing where he stood on the improvements. "As far as this park is concerned and the enhancements that are coming to it, I like them."

Pennoni Associates, a consulting engineering firm, has been contracted for the preliminary and updated designs for the park, at 4215 SE 20 Place, which has been met with opposition by neighboring residents located on Beach Parkway.

An updated concept for the park was unveiled this week that included hundreds of new trees, additional features for disabled people, and tightened parking.

This design includes original concepts for two docks, both at the north and south ends, for 24 boat slips, a splash pad, a bistro/piazza area, and a bandshell.

"I hope all of you that are in disagreement with it will at least give it a chance, see how it works, and don't push aside what I believe in the future, will be a benefit for our community," Hayden said.

Over two dozen residents spoke to the city council about their opposition to the proposed improvements and changes to the park at a Wednesday committee of the whole meeting.

"No businesses should be in the neighborhood park and as designated by the 5,000 signature petition should suffice that neighborhood residents are not only against the renovation but also against the removal of our (Australian) pine shade trees," Sally Troutman said.

Improvements to the park are estimated to cost $12 million for construction, and the city plans to issue a long-term bond to pay for the project, which means the cost will be borne by city residents and future residents.

Neighbors protective of their beloved Jaycee Park

Emotions were high for many residents as they faced the prospect that their beloved neighborhood park could become a commercialized and overstuffed venue, and they argued the improvements would destroy the peaceful character of the area.

"Why spend the money if we can use it elsewhere," said Bonnie Keller.

Marie Kavanaugh said planned additions like the bandshell would "disturb the peace and tranquility of the area.

"Apparently none of you care because you already made up your minds," Kavanaugh said. "We are standing here talking and none of you are listening."

Another resident, Troutman, pushed back against the city's planned removal of the Australian pines, an invasive species, and said the city should just request an exemption from the state.

"The seniors in this neighborhood need a safe shady place to exercise," Troutman said. "Many of us don't have five to 10 years to wait for newly planted trees to create a shade canopy."

"It is cheaper to keep these pines and request an exemption than take them down and plant more," she added.

Many other speakers spoke in support of the trees by saying that they withstood Hurricane Ian and feared that new trees would fare far worse.

The new trees for the area have not been decided on, but the city is eyeing a mix of trees like buttonwood, oak, and red Maples.

Others suggest Cape Coral should focus on developing other areas of the city.

"Build a beach in north Cape, make a nice big beach like Fort Myers, that's where I would like my money spent if you going to spend $12 million," Marilynn Toma said.

"Embrace change": City council supports Jaycee park updates

Councilmember Bill Steinke, who asked the city for a shade study, said the new trees would be placed in a way that covers more of the interior of the park rather than the water.

"Typically from noon to one o'clock on, the majority of that shade is accessible in the water," Steinke said. "By having the walking path on the east side of the trees, we will actually have more usable shade for walking and exercising."

He also pushed back on comments made by residents that the city is commercializing the park.

"I would certainly be opposed to making it a commercialized park, but I'm not in opposition to there being other services available to our people that come to our park," Steinke said.

Councilmember Dan Sheppard said the council is listening to the residents and has made changes to the concept already.

"We are doing our job. We are listening to the citizens we represent, and they say they want more waterfront activities," Sheppard said. "What we have to learn to do is embrace change in our city and all get involved so we get input and so we can get something."

"To be attacked for even talking about it makes no sense because we are responding to what the public asked for," Sheppard said.

The council overall had no issues with the new updated concept but recommended small suggestions.

Steinke said he wanted to keep the park hours the same once the changes were made.

Councilmember Robert Welsh said he wanted bigger outdoor pavilions to replace the three 10x10 pavilions currently in the design.

Councilmembers Jessica Cosden, Hayden, Steinke, and Sheppard agreed with this assessment.

Additionally, Welsh asked how food trucks would operate at the park going forward.

Assistant City Manager Connie Barron clarified that the city would lease six food trucks to be stationed at the park and rotate them out based on performance.

Welsh said he wanted to see a reduction in the number of food trucks present from six to three if there's a piazza area in the south part of the park.

"I think it's a little bit of an overkill on that part of the park," Welsh said.

Mayor John Gunter had a concern about the cut parking spaces and said the city should keep an open mind on the number until they reach the final design.

"I don't want to have a parking issue from day one," Gunter said.

He also wanted to see updates on both the Go Bond and Yacht Club Project before moving forward with the changes to Jaycee Park.

"I don't mind being proactive and coming up with a design for Jaycee Park, but for me, we have to make sure we fulfill the other obligations first," Gunter said.

Gunter estimates that the design process for the park will last at least a year, but he plans to vote no on the plan if he doesn't get a timeline and major update on the other parks.

Councilmember Patty Cummings agreed.

What's next?

The city plans to vote on a resolution on Oct. 18 to begin the design of the updated concept.

When Pennoni Associates reaches its 30% design point, another public open house will show the public the updated design.

Luis Zambrano is a Watchdog/Cape Coral reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. You can reach Luis at Lzambrano@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Lz2official.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cape Coral Jaycee Park neighbors remain at odds with city council