by SC Publisher Shannen Hayes
The Sanibel Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee continued its discussion on Thursday, Sept. 18, regarding five-year capital project recommendations.
Committee members reviewed five areas around the island as potential capital project options: the community park, recreation center, ballfields, rest area gazebos along the Shared Use Path, and Bowman’s Beach Park.
Sanibel Recreation Center Director Andrea Miller said the city only owns one of the three rest area gazebos, with the other two owned by the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge. The city-owned gazebo located on Periwinkle Way, near Huxter’s, does not require repairs at this time.
City staff’s review of Bowman’s Beach Park for amenities suitable for upper elementary and middle school students found that the site is a designated gopher tortoise recipient area and is primarily comprised of wetlands.
The Florida Wildlife Conservation would have to approve, and a Department of Environmental Protection permit would be needed for any work at Bowman’s Beach Park. And any new structures would have to be elevated and approved by the city’s Natural Resources Department.
Miller said the committee could consider adding those amenities at the Community Park, which is more centrally located and environmentally feasible. She also mentioned that the fitness trail at Bowman’s is open and has potential for upgrades.
However, Miller said upgrades to the fitness trail are not recommended because it sees very little use.
For the other areas, Miller gave cost estimates for the suggestions.
Tot Lot at the Ballfield
The estimated cost to restore the previous tot lot area with a new playground is $114,000. The tot lot is situated between ballfield three and the pavilion, where a mobile mini storage unit is currently located.
Miller said the tot lot playground had exceeded its lifespan and was removed before the COVID pandemic.
The Recreation Center
Miller said the water slide at the Recreation Center had reached the end of its lifespan after 15 years and was subsequently removed recently. A comparable new water slide is estimated to cost $238,000.
A shade sail structure is estimated to cost $90,000, removal of fencing is estimated to cost $4,000, concrete patching is estimated to cost $3,000, and three commercial-grade umbrellas are estimated to cost $7,500.
There was a consensus among the committee to recommend removing the old water slide fence, patching the concrete, and purchasing three umbrellas for shade around the aquatics area at an estimated total cost of $14,500.
Miller also shared a community survey conducted in February 2024 regarding the area behind the Recreation Center, where the skate park, archery range, and basketball court are located.
The survey indicated that a dedicated lighted pickleball court was the top replacement choice for that area, closely followed by a mini-golf course. The third-place choice was a multi-use sports court.
The committee is considering a cool courts tile system, featuring game lines and an in-ground goal system, estimated at $110,000, at the old skate park area.
A cool courts tile system refers to specialized modular, interlocking plastic tiles designed to create durable, shock-absorbing, and weather-resistant surfaces that remain cooler than concrete or asphalt.
Community Park
Converting the sand volleyball and shuffleboard areas to a cool courts tile system is estimated to cost $63,500, excluding the demolition of the current facilities and the installation of a new concrete foundation.
Miller said staff does not have a cost estimate for constructing a new large pavilion at the park, but the pavilion built in 2003 at the Sanibel School cost more than $500,000.
She also stated that the playground equipment will reach the end of its life within the next two to three years, with an estimated replacement cost of between $500,000 and $1 million. That estimate includes replacing the shade structure, as well.
The committee is also considering uses for the open green space at the park. However, the park is an environmentally sensitive area, and although it is not being suggested, any proposed development would necessitate a referendum.
Committee Chair Christopher Denick noted that open green space is a dilemma for our community, given that a significant portion of the island is environmentally sensitive, such as Bowman’s Beach Park.
“I still think the fact that we don’t have a lot of other spaces forces us to look at (the community park) area a lot stronger because it’s here; we have it,” Denick said. “And it’s probably going to be easier to manage the environmental issues.”
Dog Park
Denick mentioned the idea of a dog park on the island, possibly located behind the Recreation Center. “I would like to focus on a potential dog park for Sanibel because there isn’t one,” he said.
Many island residents own dogs and often take them to off-island dog parks to give them space to run and play. Denick said people have mentioned a dog park to him, and the area behind the Rec Center could be a good spot for one.
“You can’t really turn it into a human green space with all of the flooding in that area,” said Denick. “I would really like to look into the potential of turning that into a dog park space.”
Other committee members agreed that a dog park is a good idea and mentioned other possible locations for it.
All of these project options—community park, recreation center, ballfield tot lot, and a dog park—will be further refined at the next committee meeting on Oct. 16. Once finalized, the committee will submit the list to the City Council for review and approval.
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