As Vero Beach's Pocahontas Park gets face-lift, homeless people get an opportunity for work
VERO BEACH — “The Jewel of Downtown” is getting some much-needed attention, and a clean new look, thanks to a public-private partnership among the city, private businesses and nonprofits.
Pocahontas Park, at 21st Street and 14th Avenue, has been a community gathering place for decades, but recently has fallen on hard times. “Some believe the park looks worn, even unsightly and those who have always enjoyed sitting on benches under the shade of the beautiful trees, or playing in the historic playground, are not feeling safe anymore” Mayor John Cotugno told the Vero Beach City Council May 17.
“The fountain is not working properly, restrooms need refurbishing and some of the unhoused members of the community have become an issue in a once-popular gathering spot in the center of town. Now is the right time to address this problem and come together as a caring community to beautify our jewel.”
Downtown initiatives could help
Several initiative could address concerns about homeless people sleeping in the park, according to Police Chief David Currey. They include increasing police patrols in downtown, perhaps on foot or bicycle; installing better street lighting; asking homeless-advocate organizations to establish a downtown drop-in center, where people can gather during the day; and having more regular tree trimming in the park to create more visibility and open space.
One of the first organizations to take on the challenge of improving downtown is The Source, a local homeless resource center, with its Community Works program. The program is designed to clean Vero Beach's public streets and properties and keep them clean while allowing Source members, who are earning their way out of homelessness, to earn a paycheck.
"We're taking care of downtown," said Leonard Hamker, of Vero Beach, as he pressure washed the sidewalk near the Vero Beach Community Center last week. "This is my second week doing this and I enjoy it. I'm outside and you see what you're doing for the community."
The Source pays participants to pick up trash along streets, lawns and alleyways that might smell or need pressure cleaning, and to do other work to help beautify the city, according to Executive Director Anthony Zorbaugh. Three days a week, the group — all wearing uniforms — works in the downtown area from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“We are equipping an identifiable trailer with all the cleaning supplies needed to get the job done,” said Zobaugh. “We are proudly committing $30,000 from our operational budget to pay the Community Works participants. The Source is trying to help the city by doing our part.”
Other community partners in the downtown cleanup project include Piper Aircraft, whose CEO John Calcagno said he believes having a safe, clean downtown is vital for residents and visitors alike.
“We have a responsibility to our community,” said Calcagno. “We are financially committed to being the lead sponsor for the Pocahontas Park revitalization.”
Matt Hayes, executive director of Main Street Vero Beach, said his organization, too, has taken responsibility to work with downtown business and property owners as the Community Works program rolls out. He will be encouraging local businesses to keep sidewalks clean and clear, and to keep windows and lighting attractive, he said.
Looking back to the 2008-2009 recession
Accomplishing certain goals is key to improving the downtown area, explained City Manager Monte Falls.
The benches that were removed from Pocohantas Park need to be repaired, cleaned and sealed before they can be returned. Lighting will be improved in the downtown economic-development zone, and the Police Department is committed to a more robust police presence downtown.
Much of the problem, he said, can be traced back to the recession of 2008-2009, when the city laid off about one-third of its maintenance workers, whose primary job was keeping downtown, including the park, clean and in good repair.
“When The Source first came to me, I was skeptical,” Falls admitted. “Somebody’s going to do work free. What’s the catch? But we have made a way to make it work though this public-private partnership.”
Recreation Director Jim O’Connell said he’s grateful for help from The Source. The group is currently working on power-washing sidewalks on both sides of 14th Avenue from the Vero Beach Community Center to 21st Street, down to the shuffleboard courts, past the Chamber of Commerce, the parking lots behind the pickleball courts and the Community Center, including the playground, and the park outside of the Heritage Center.
“We really appreciate the effort,” said O’Connell. “Right now, they’re out there power-washing the sidewalks. Like a lot of downtown, it doesn’t get the attention it deserves. But when the people of Vero Beach decide to get something done, it usually gets done.”
Janet Begley is a local freelance writer for TCPalm.com. If you like articles like this and other TCPalm coverage of Treasure Coast news, please support our journalism and subscribe now.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: As Vero Beach's Pocahontas Park gets face-lift, homeless people get an opportunity for work
