HomeMy WebLinkAboutSection 09 - Recreation & Open Space ST. LUCI E COUNTY
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE
RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE
Prepared by:
St. Lucie County
Board of County Commissioners
St. Lucie County
Department of Community Development
January 9, 1990 R~CREATION
RECREATIOIvT ELEMENT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I NTRODUCTI ON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 1
OVERVI EW OF CURRENT CONDI TI ONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 1
Current Classification System . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 1
Inventory of Existing Facilities . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 2
Community Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 2
Neighborhood and Pocket Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 2
Beach Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 7
Special Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 7
Open Spaces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 7
School Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 9
Other Primary Recreation Facilities . . . . . . . . . 9 - 10
NEEDS ANALYSI S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 10
Service Population Projections . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 10
Recommended Classification System . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 12
Level of Service Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 15
Current Needs Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 16
Future Demand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 23
GOALS, OBJECTI VES, AND POLI CI ES . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 2 5
i
LI ST OF FI GURES
Fi,qure Paae
9 - 1 Recreational Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 6
LIST OF TABLES
Table Paae
9- 1 Inventory of State and County Recreation
and Open Space Facilities . . . . . . . . . 9 - 3
9- 2 Other Parks and Recreation Facilities
i n St. Luci e County . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 8
9- 3 Golf Courses in St. Lucie County 9- 11
9- 4 Estimated 1990 and Projected Populations 9- 13
9- 5 Desired Outdoor Recreation Standards for
St. Luci e County . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 17
9- 6 Recommended Parks and Recreation Facility
Level of Service Standards . . . . . . . . . 9 - 17
9- 7 Current and Future Recreation Needs
( I n Acres ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 18
9- 8 Current and Future Recreation Needs 9- 24
9 - 9 Neighborhood Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 24
ii
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RSCREATIOd.iT ~idD OPEN SPACE ELEMEi~tT
ST_ LIICI E COIINTY
INTR~DQCTION
The Recreation and Open Space Element presents a review of the
current recreation facility conditions in St. Lucie County and
includes goals, objectives and policies designed to assist the
County in meeting the future recreation needs of its residents
and visitors. Recreation facilities are important components of
a community's physical development pattern. They contribute to
the attractiveness of the area, as well as the health and well-
being of its citizens. St. Lucie County's location along the
Atlantic Ocean provides abundant water-oriented recreational
opportunities. However, it is important, nevertheless, that the
County provide and maintain a range of recreational facilities
and open space areas for all persons having diverse recreational
interests and needs, and not focus all of its efforts to water
and water related activities.
OVERVI ~iil OF CIIRRSNT CONDI TI OAIS
The St. Lucie County Recreation and Parks Department operates
facilities and conducts programs throughout the County. These
activities are conducted at County-owned recreational facilities
which are under the management of the Recreation and Parks
Department, or are carried out through cooperative efforts of the
School Board of St. Lucie County. Several park facilities
within the City of Ft. Pierce are under the maintenance
responsibility of the City; however, program administration has,
through an interlocal agreement, been delegated to the County.
The City of Port St. Lucie operates and maintains their own park
facilities and programs. As will be discussed later in this
element, this separate program does have certain impacts upon the
levels of service standards to be developed.
In addition to the local facilities, the State of Florida owns/
operates/administers considerable recreational acreage within
the County.
Cur=ent Classification System
Recreational facilities in St. Lucie County have in the past
bean loosely grouped into the following categories:
o Pocket Park
o Neighborhood Park
o Community Park
o Regional Park
o Beach Access Facility
o Open Space
o School Facility
o Special Facility
January 9, 1990 9-1 RECREATION
These categories have generally been patterned to follow the
class groupings put forward by the National Recreation and Parks
Association (NRPA).
Inventory of $xisting Facilities
Table 9-1 summarizes existing recreation and open space
facilities owned, operated, and maintained by St. Lucie County,
as well as those facilities operated by the State of Florida
within the County. The location of the facilities listed in
Table 9-1 is indicated on Figure 9-1. This inventory was
compiled by the St. Lucie County Department of Recreation and
Parks and the St. Lucie County Department of Community
Development.
Table 9-1 further classifies these recreational facilities as
either resource or activity based. Resource based facilities are
those recreation facilities which are based on a natural,
historic, or archaeological resource. These facilities usually
offer relatively passive forms of recreation, such as hi king,
museum or historic site tours, etc.
Activity based recreation facilities usually have specific
facilities for active recreation, such as athletic fields, ball
diamonds, tennis courts, or swimming access points.
As Table 9-1 indicates, St. Lucie County is responsible for the
supervision of 1,321.4 acres of activity based recreation and
open spaCe lands. Regional resource based parks, which include
the Savannas Recreation Area and the North Savannas, total
6, 240. 9 acres.
Community Parks:
Within the County, Community Parks total 359.9 acres. The
Dollman Beach site is the largest community park at 143.7 acres.
Other large community parks include: Pepper Beach (52.4 acres);
Walton Rocks (24.0 acres); White City Park (17.0 acres); and
South Causeway Island (16.6 acres). The smallest community park
is the Walton Community Center with 0.9 acres.
Neighborhood and Pocket Parks:
Sixtean facilities totaling 58.0 acres have been classified as
Neighborhood Parks. These include: Blind Creek Access/Beach
( 14. 0 acres Indian River Estates Park ( 9. 0 acres Maravilla
Park (6.1 acres); Sheraton Plaza Recreation Park (5.7 acres); and
the Taylor Creek Outfall site (7.3 acres). Bryn Mawr Access
(Beach), with 1.3 acres, is the largest of the County's seven
pocket parks.
January 9, 1990 9-2 RECREATION
l ~
Table 1
f
(
FACILITIFS AND FEATURES
~ - -
- -
- - aNiPHI- BOAT
-
REST PLn,Y - ----------FEET_ DUNE ('OM
~p FACILITY ~PF~ RATi,
REF FACILITY TYPE AQ~ES SPACE FIELDS C~URTS R~OLS PARKING ROOMS EQUIP SHEI.TERS SHOWER3 BEACH CROSS CENTER MOSEUM CHEATQt RAMP SITES '1R~I---
UNIQOE RECREATION SPACES:
50 Y
Y 1
S1 HFATHCOTE BO~PANICAL QtDNS' ACPIVITY BASED 1.6 Y
75 Y
S2 INDRIO RD SCHOOL HOUSE ACTNITY BASED 8.1
( 53 OLD FORT PI(T1IC SITE RESOURCE B~SED 2.3 10
S4 ST LUCIE CO CNIC CENTER ACfIVITY AivSE~ B.0 365 Y
2600 Y Y
50 Y
55 ST LUCIE CO SPORTS COMPLEX ACPIVITY aASED 100.0 • 7
( S6 DOkTTPOWN FP PIII2CE LIBRARY ACTIVITY BASED 1.0
....1
S7 C-25 CANAL BDAT RAh1P ACTIVITY BPSm 0.2
S8 NORTH SAVANTIA[3S RESOURCE BPSED 65.1 Y ....3 .Y..• i
~ ~ ....0 ...i.
S9 L~1WN4~TlOD REC SPOR1' COI~iPLEX ACfIVITY aASED 117.4 ...7 10 1600 Y
20 ....Q ...0. ...0. ....a 1
S10 HISTORLCAL FIIISEUM ACTIVITY BASED SEE C17 -
~ g~~pTppL; 303.7 14 10 0 4770 ~
92 16998 9 0 8 68 3
( 1C1TAL COUNTY FACILITIES: 1,728.4 33 51 2 6530
2 8690 4 0 0 0 3
i T(7PAL STATE FACILITIES: 5,051,6 0 0 0 350
,::,msx~~,.; B 66 6
6,780.0 33 51 2 6880 94 25688 13 0
r C~tA[dD 4UTAL:
' SOURCE: SP. LUCIE COUNTS[ DEPARIMQJP OF RECREATION
~ ST. LUCIE COUNTY DEPAR'iMENT OF COhMUNITY DEUEIAR`9Q~'P
(
I ~OES NOT EXISf OR NOT APPLICP,BLE
INECH~RITION TO BE SUPPLIED
(
' g _ g RECREATION
January 9, 1990
i
Table 1 (Continued?
I
l
FACILITIES AND FFATURFS
- -
-
~p FACILITY OPII~ HALL REST PIAY FEEf DUNE COM/REC ?1MPHI- B~AT CAMP
r REF FACILITY TYPE ACRES SPACE FIELDS CbURTS POOIS PARICING ROOMS EQOIP SHELTERS SHOWQ2S BFACH (~tOSS ~ENTF~ MUSEUM 1~1~T~ ~___SITES_ __TRAILS
NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
~
20 Y
N1 IND RIV FSTATES PARI( RESOORCE BASED 9.0 4
Y
N2 t~RAVI[SA PARK ACfIVITY B~SID b.l 2 2 22 Y Y
~ N3 PARADISE PARK ACPIVITY RTkSED 1.7 1 1 1 20 Y Y Y
40 Y Y
N4 SHE~ttA'iC)N PL~ZA REC PARK ACfIVITY BASED 5.7 1 1 3
z
N5 TAYI1)R (REEK OUTFALL ACPIVITY Ht1SID 7.3 1 20
70 Y Y 270 1
( N6 NQ1VEfAND BEACH fBFACH) ACTIVITY HASED 3.6
16 500
N7 BI,IND (:E2EEK ACCESS (BFACk3) RESOURCE HASID 14.0
16 265
N8 EICCHANGE PARK ACCESS RESOURCE 615ID 4.3
16 100 1
( N9 E~NS B~Y ACCESS RESOURCE fl~1SED 1.0
16 100 1
N10 NILDDLE COVE ACCESS RESOURCE fl~SED 1.0
14 100 1
N11 NORhP.NDY BFACH ACCESS RFSOURCE H~SID 1.0
t 9 1335 4 0 0 0
S~781T)'ppL: 54.7 5 4 1 270
(
POCIt~cT PARKS:
i PL COLLINS PP,R[C ACfIVITY &~SED 0.6 ..60.
P2 AVA[ON ACCESS (BFACH) RESOORCE fl~S~ 0.2 Y 70 . .
~r~~;~ . ~ P3 H~INYAN RD ACCESS (BFACH) RF50URCE A~SID 0.4 Y 300
~ P4 BRYN f~1WR ACCFSS (BFACEI) RESOURCE H~SED 1.3 Y
40
P5 ROYAL PAIM NAIY ACCESS RESOURCE BRSID 0.2 Y
70
P6 SII4NOLE BLVD ACCESS AFSOURCE flASFD 0.4 Y
40
~ P7 EZAPIINGO BLVD RESOURCE L~15m 0.2 Y
3.3 0 0 0 0 0 580 0 0 0 0
SUB'POTAL:
(
r
~
1
January 9, 1990 9_ q RECREATION
Table 1 (Continued)
r
i
, FACILITIES AND FEATURES
- -
- - -
~p FACILITY OPEN BALL REST PIAY FEEf DUNE NM/REC AMPHI- BOAT CAMP
REF FACILITY TYPE ACRES SPACE FIELDS COURTS POOLS PARKING ROOMS EQUIP SHELTERS SHOWfRS BEACH CROSS CENTER MOSEUM THEATER RAMP SITES TRAILS
REGIONAL FACILITIES:
r
.
R2 FT~PIERLCEINLETE PRESERVE E2FSOURCE BASm 958.0
RESOURCE &~.Sm 250.0 350 Y 2 Y 2640 4
( STATE REC. AREA
R3 AVAIAN TRACT RESOURCE flASED 332.1 6050
R4 JOE¢4 BROOKS PARK RESO[1RCE &15ED 406.8 Y 6290
'
( R5 SO[PI'H SAVANNAHS RESOURCE &15ED 3,511.5 Y
R6 SAVAI~7I~?,HS REC ARFA RF.SOURCE H~SED 600.0 50 Y Y 17 Y 1 68 2
{
gOgTO'pAL; 6,058.4 0 0 0 400 19 14980 4 0 1 68 5
r
CtxS1UNITY PARKS:
(
C1 ELKS PARK ACPIVITY HASED 12.4 7 120 Y
C2 EREDERICK DOW7.~SSS RE~URCE HASED 13.7 50 Y 7 1040
P~E2IAL PARK (BEACH)
C3 E10RATI0 QtISBY ACPIVITY Hi1SED 6.3 2 200 Y
~
,~~~~~i~~,~ C4 IAIC~AI~~D PARR ACTIVITY H~SED 7.3 ~ . 1 3 45 Y Y • , • • •
r C5 LINCOIN PP.RK COPM CfR ACPIVITY H9SED 1.4 2 6 Y Y Y
C6 OPEN SPACE B~SEfl~fI,L AREA ACPIVITY HlSED 15.7 1 2 1 200 Y
C7 SPORTSMAN'S PARK WEST ACPIVITY fl~SED B.5 2 41 Y
~ C8 S0. BEACH B~AR~4~1L[C (BCH) RESOURCE fl~1SID 5.8 94 Y 4 Y 1240
C9 WALTON OOFMONITY CENTER ACPIVITY BASF~ 0.9 30 Y Y
C10 V~LTON ROCKS BFACH IBEAQi) RESOURCE 9ASID 24.0 150 Y 3368 2
~ C11 WHITE CITSf PARK RESOORCE H~15ID 17.0 40 Y Y 13 1
C12 WHITE CITY SCH. REC ARFA ACfIVITY H~SED 7.8 1 3 20 Y
C13 PEPPER BEACH RESOURCE HASID 52.4 . . 3 254 Y ...12 Y 1380 3 Y
r C14 DOISMAN BFACH E2ESOURCE H~SED 143.7 Y 1165
C15 INDIAN RIVII2 VEPERANS ACfIVITY B~1SID
N~27AL G~IRDESI 14.9 24 130 Y 2 Y Y 1
r C16 NORTH CAUSF~AY ISLArm AC1'IVITY R~15ID 11.5 30 Y 9 2
C17 SOOT[~1 CAUS~IAY ISL~ND ACPIVITY flASID 16.6 30 Y 11 Y 2
~ S~7g~p~,; 359.9 14 37 1 1440 62 8743 5 6 0 0
~
~
January 9, 1990 9- 5 RECREATION
Figure 1
Recreational Facilities
t c o i ~ e a t r Q a a a u e r r
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I ~ FIGURE ~
~ ^ ~"'.I RECREATIONAL fACILITIES
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I Sl. Ll1GIE COONIY, FLOP,lDA
- - - o»_ ~ -
I Ii I !:q~ f N'h [ P 1(
~ A A P 1 A G 4 U A P 1 '9 b R~CREATI~N
January 9, 1990
Beach ~ccess:
An important recreation opportunity in St. Lucie County is the
beach access facilities. The County has concentrated on
improving beach access for the last several years. Altogether,
the County provides 16,998 linear feet of beach frontage. The
linear feet of beach frontage for these facilities is listed in
Table 9-1. Dollman Beach, with 143.7 acres and 1,765 lineal feet
of beach frontage, is the largest of the beach access facilities.
In addition, several regional, community, neighborhood, and
pocket parks provide beach frontage.
Special Facilities:
Special facilities provide 121.0 acres of recreational and
cultural opportunities. This category includes a diversity of
facilities, such as the St. Lucie County Sports Complex, the
Library, the Old Fort site, the Civic Center, and the Heathcote
Botanical Gardens.
Table 9-1 also includes an identification of the special features
for each recreation facility indicated. For example, the County
has 33 ballfields; 51 recreational courts (tennis, basketball,
racquetball, etc. two swimming pools; 92 shelters; picnic
tables; grills; recreation centers; community centers; museums;
an amphitheater; 8 boat ramps; 68 camp sites; three major trails;
and over 16,000 linear feet of public beach.
These County facilities are supplemented by city, State, and
private facilities as shown in Table 9-2. The City of Ft. Pierce
provides 133.7 acres of parks and 17.2 acres of special
facilities. Port St. Lucie operates 321.8 acres of parks. The
State of Florida owns five major parks:
o Jack Island State Park (958.0 acres)
o Ft. Pierce Inlet State Recreation Area (250.0 acres)
o Avalon Tract (332.1 acres)
o South Savannas { 3, 51 l. 5 acres )
o John Brooks Park (406.8 acres)
In Table 9-7, the acreage for the North Savannas and the Lawnwood
Recreation Sports Complex has been included under Regional Parks.
Open Spaces:
Several of the recreation facilities mentioned above have been
classified as open space areas. Open space areas, as defined for
the purposes of Chapter 9J-5, FAC, are undeveloped lands suitable
for passive recreation or conservation uses. Within St. Lucie
County the largest ogen space preserve under public control would
be the Savannas Preserve (North and South areas) which is
resource based passive recreation facility. The Savannas is a
relatively isolated, major freshwater wetland system. It has
extensive natural upland habitat that contains a wide variety of
plant and animal species. Sigr.iiicant portions of the South
January 9, 1990 9-7 RECREATION
TABLS 9-2
OTHER PARRS ~D RBCRg~TI OAI FACI LI TI ES
IH ST. LIICI~ CODNTY
Jurisdiction Facility Name Acreaae
Port St. Lucie Sportsman' s Park 16. 0
PSL Rec Center 1.0
Swan Park 6. 5
Harborview Park 4.8
Jaycee Park 6. 2
Riwanis Park 3.8
Rotary Park 5. 5
Lyngate Park 16.0
Doat Street Park 2.4
Rivergate Park 28.0
Loyalty Park 0. 7
Windmill Park 6.0
Regional Park 200.0
Thornhill Park 20.9
PSL Community Center IRCC 4.0
Subtotal: 3 21. 8
Ft. Pierce Coon Island 54.0
St. Lucie Ct. Beach Access . 3
Avalon Ave. Beach Access . 2
Northwest Pioneer' s Park 17. 0
Porpoise Ave. Beach Access .3
Gulfstream Ave. Beach Access .3
Bulline Park .2
Jaycee Park 14.0
Surfside Park 3. 3
Dreamland Park 17.0
N. lOth Street Site 1. 2
Ft. Pierce City Marina 7. 0
7th St. Park 3. 5
Coconut Dr. Beach Access .8
8th St. Park . 7
Goodwin Botanical Garden 3.5
Lawnwood Terrace 1.7
Weston Boyd Memorial Park .3
Pinewood Park 3. 1
Hayes Road Park .3
2 9th St. Park 1. 9
Rotary Park 5. 5
Hideaway Park 2. 3
Eldorado Terrace 3.8
Garden Terrace 4.8
Park Terrace .5
Wildwood Terracs 1.0
South Jetty Park 2.4
SubtOtal: 150_ 9
January 9, 1990 9-8 RECREATION
Savannas area have been acquired under the Conservation and
Recreational Lands (CARL) program.
As equally important as the Savannas, are the large undeveloped
oceanfront tracts acquired through both local and State
conservation efforts. There are three principal undeveloped
beach access tracts within the County presently under public
ownership. They are Avalon, John Brooks and Dollman. Combined
these tracts account for almost 1,000 acres and 12,500 linear
feet of oceanfront.
In addition to the above, the State of Florida operates a
combined resource/activity based facility known as the Ft. Pierce
Inlet State Recreation Area. This facility, in conjunction with
the Jack Island Preserve accounts for an additional ?,200 acres
with another 2,700 liner feet of ocean front protected.
The Indian River Lagoon, from Vero Beach to Jensen Beach,
(exclusive of the Port of Ft. Pierce), and the North Fork of the
St. Lucie River are identified as Outstanding Florida Waters.
These bodies of water represent a vitally unique
resource/activity based recreation resource to the community.
For the purposes of this element these areas are considered as
open space. Further elaboration on them in regard to their
environmental and economic influences on the community can be
found in the Coastal Management and Conservation Elements of this
Comprehensive Plan.
School Facilities:
The playgrounds and sports activity areas found at the
community's schools provide excellent recreation opportunities on
a neighborhood service level. The St. Lucie County School Board
operates 24 schools. Three high schools (the third scheduled to
open August 1989), three middle schools, and 15 elementary
schools. In addition, there are three exceptional education
centers, existing or under construction. Public access to the
high school grounds and their potent~al for use as recreational
facilities is presently restricted due to security fencing but
could be made available for the public. With the exception of a
few sites within the City of Ft. Pierce, all other County School
Facilities are not fenced leaving their open areas available for
public use during non-school hours.
In July, 1987, St. Lucie County entered into an agreement
concerning the reciprocal use of facilities with the St. Lucie
County School Board and the City of Ft. Pierce. This agreement
allows the reciprocal use of all indoor and outdoor facilities
owned and/or operated by these units of government when those
facilities are not being used by the primary user of tne site;
i.e. while school is in session. These agreements are renewable
on a two year basis. In addition, St. Lucie County also has
reciprocal use agreements for recreational facilities with the
Indian River Community College and John Carroll Cathol~.c High
School.
January 9, 1990 9-9 RECREATION
As a demonstration of the concept of joint-use facilities, St.
Lucie County and the School Board have constructed lighted tennis
and basketball facilities as well as a lighted softball field at
the White City Elementary School Site. These facilities are
utilized by the students during the school hours and are then
available to the general public for league softball and other
activities. Primary maintenance of the recreation facilities is
the responsibility of the County. Development of neighborhood
parks such as this represents a viable, land efficient method for
meeting the community's neighborhood park needs.
Other Primary Recreation Facilities:
Golf courses are an important component in the recreational
activities of both resident and visitor to the South Florida
region. There is presently no public golf course in the County.
There are however 12 private golf courses which, depending upon
the season, permit general public play. Table 9-3 identifies the
existing golf courses and whether public play is permitted.
St. Lucie County is currently exploring the possibility of a
public golf course utilizing the old landfill site adjacent to
the St. Lucie County International Airport.
The St. Lucie Sports Complex, located in Port St. Lucie, and the
auditorium at Indian River Community College in Ft. Pierce are
under the special facility category. These facilities are
available to the public, through leasing agreements, for
concerts, special promotion events, productions, ball camps and
other sporting events.
In addition to public facilities, St. Lucie County has a number
of large developments that have private recreational facilities
such as golf courses, tennis courts, pools, and trails. Most
residential development projects that use the Planned Unit
Development zoning furnish some type of recreational facilities
for their residents. Examples of these types of developments
i ncl ude: the Res erve; Spani s h Lakes ; Harbor Ri dge; Atl anti c Vi ew
Beach Club, and the Woods of St. Lucie. These facilities satisfy
some proportion of the total recreation demand for the residents
of these communities.
NSEDS ~N~LYSIS
Service Population Proj ections:
St. Lucie County has not conducted any surveys on the present
demand for recreation and open space facilities. In order to
assess the present need for these facilities, ratios have been
used which are based in part upon national and in part upon the
desired standards of the St. Lucie County Recreation Advisory
Board.
January 9, 1990 9-10 RECREATION
TgBLS 9-3
GOLF COIIRSES
IN ST. LIICIE COII~7TY
COURSE NAME NUMBER PUB PVT SEASONA~
OF HOLES PLAY
Spanish Lakes I 9 X2
Spanish Lakes Golf Village 9 X2
Spanish Lakes Ctry Club Vil. 18 X2
Savannah Club 18 X2 X
Meadowood Country Club 18 X2 X
Club Med (Hotel) 36 X X
9 X X
Harbour Ridge Yacht &
Country Club 36 X2
The Reserve Golf Club 18 X2 X
St. Lucie West Country Club 18 X2 X
Island Dunes Country Club 9 X2 X
Indian Pines 18 X X
Indian Hills 18 X X
NOTES:
1: Seasonal play denotes short term memberships (summer or
winter) and the ability to play the course on a daily
greens fee only basis. Membership not always required but
nonmembers must defer to members for scheduling of
available time.
2: Course developed in conjunction with private residential
community. Course operation not always associated with
residential developments, however access to clubhouse
facility often through security controlled community
entrance.
Source: St. Lucie County Department of Recreation & Parks and
St. Lucie County Department of Community Development.
January 9, 1990 9-11 RECREATION
Population estimates and projections for St. Lucie County from
the year 1987 to 2015 are shown in Table 9-4. For the purposes
of this Plan, the future recreation demand relative to
neighborhood and community parks are based upon the
unincorporated County populaticn only. The future recreation
demand relative to regional facilities and open space is based
upon the County population as a whole. However, it is recognized
that interlocal agreements and coordination between the County
and the Cities of Ft. Pierce and Port St. Lucie will enhance the
recreational opportunities for residents throughout the County.
As Table 9-4 indicates, the total County-wide permanent
population is expected to increase from 87,182 in 1980 to 318,650
by the year 2015, an increase of 265%. The unincorporated areas
of the County are expected to account for 29% of the 2015 total
population, or a real number of 93,045. However, in the short
term planning period from 1990 to 1995, the unincorporated County
population is expected to climb from 59,446 (1990 est.) to 69,266
(1995 est.). The estimated 1995 service populations for
neighborhood and community parks is 69,266 and for 186,200 for
regional parks.
It should be noted, that for the purpose of this Plan, only the
permanent population estimates are being utilized. Seasonal
population influences on the County's recreational services have
historically occurred when the local demand/use for those
facilities is at its lowest. Stated simply, the local population
does not use the beach a lot in the winter and the seasonal
visitor does not use the softball fields in the summer. So long
as this trend continues, and St. Lucie County foresees no changes
in the seasonal visitation patterns for this area, the permanent
population estimates will be those utilized for determining
facility needs.
The County is acutely aware of the importance of recreation to
its residents. Therefore, in November, 1987, the St. Lucie
County Recreation Advisory Board developed an updated
classification system for recreational space. This system, which
has been unanimously agreed upon by the committee, provides the
basis for determining future level of service standards.
Recommended Classification System
The system as approved by the Recreation Advisory Board has three
maj or categories which in turn have been further broken down into
subcategories as follows:
I. Local Recreation Spaces: Recreational facilities that serve
a limited population size and that are located close to
res i denti al areas .
A. Mini-Park: Specialized area designed to serve a
specific group, function, or activity, and ~aving a
service area radius of .25 miles and a desirable size
of 1 acre.
January 9, 1990 9-12 RECREATION
TABLB 9-4
ESTIAiATED 1990 ~ND PRO~JF~CTED POPIII.~TIONS FOR IIlLINCORPORATI3D
ST. LIICI E COIINTY, FT. PI SRCE, PORT ST. LIICI E,
AND ST. LIICIE VILLAGE
Bstimated Proj ected Proj ected
Jurisdiction 1990 Pop_ 1995 Pop. 2015 Pop.
Unincorporated
St. Lucie County 59, 4661 69, 22b1 93, 0451
Ft. Pierce 41, 8b02 47, 2162 55, 0001
Port St. Lucie 49, 8241 69, 1581 169, 9051
St. Lucie Village 5541 6002 7002
Total County 151, 7001 186, 2001 318, 6501
Sources: 1) 1987 Population Estimates by University of Florida
Bureau of Business and Economic Research.
2) City of Ft. Pierce
January 9, 1990 9-13 RECREATION
B. Neighborhood Recreation Area: Area for intense and
diverse recreational activities which may include, but
are not limited to, field games, court games,
sportfields, playground apparatus areas, picnic areas,
landscaping and gardens, or senior citizen areas, and
having a service area radius of .5 miles and a
desirable size of 5 acres.
C. Community Recreation Area: An area that provides a
diverse range of recreational and leisure activities or
contains areas of environmental or aesthetic quality,
and that has a service area radius of 10 miles and a
desirable size of 10 acres. Facilities and activities
may include, but are not limited to, athletic fields,
swimming pools, gymnasiums, performing and design art
centers, crafts buildings, and any facilities
associated with neighborhood or mini-park recreation
areas .
II. Reaional Recreation Spaces: Area of aesthetic or natural
quality that are designed to serve a regional or
metropolitan population.
A. Regional/Metropolitan Recreation Area: Area providing
facilities designed for outdoor recreation and leisure
activities that may include, but are not limited to,
boating, fishing, or camping; bicycle, hiking, or horse
trail systems; botanical gardens, nature centers, or
zoo or husbandry centers; museums; performing and
design art centers; and activities included ux~der
community neighborhood, or mini-park recreation areas.
Area typically has a service area of 60 miles and a
desirable size of 100 acres.
B. Outdoor Reserve Recreation Area: Area primarily
designed with consideration for outdoor recreation and
nature preservation, including, but not limited to,
areas for viewing and studying land, aquatic, or avian
wildlife, conservation activities, swimming, hiking,
camping, trail facilities, nature centers, or botanical
gardens. Area typically has a service area radius of
60 miles and a desirable size of 500 acres, with the
majority of the area preserved and managed in its
natural environment.
III. Uniaue Recreation Spaces ~ither Local or Regional: Spaces
developed for unique recreational activities or for a single
recreational activity.
A. Special Recrea~ion Areas/Facilities: Areas designed
for a single purpose or specific recreational and
leisure activities that may include, but are not
limited to, activities such as zoos, conservatories,
golf courses, gun or archery ranges, outdoor theaters,
historic sites, marinas, botanical gardens, athletic
January 9, 1990 9-14 RECREATION
complexes, or water sports. The service area and
desirable facility size may vary.
B. Conservation/Open Space Area: Area preserved and
managed to protect its natural environment or aesthetic
quality, or to protect health, safety, and welfare by
providing open spaces between roadways or development,
with recreation and leisure activity serving as a
secondary function.
C. Linear Recreation Area: Area developed to provide
travel routes for one or more types of recreational or
human-operated vehicles, such as horseback riding,
bicycling, hiking, j ogging, or motorcross riding.
D. Waterfront Recreation Area: Area that is designed
primarily for aquatic-related recreation and leisure
activities and that abuts rivers, lakes, lagoons, or
saltwater bodies.
1. Beach Access Area: Area developed to provide
access to waterfront areas. Service area and
desirable park size can vary.
2. Activity Area: Waterfront area providing
recreation and leisure activities or facilities
that may include, but are not limited to,
swimming, water sports, boating, sunbathing,
pi cni cki ng, pl ayground apparatus , dres s.i ng rooms
and showers, boat ramps and docks, boardwalks and
pavilions, or concession stands.
Level of Service Standards
In order to establish an appropriate level of service standard
for each class of facility, national standards and standards for
other communities in southeast Florida were reviewed.
Integral to the level of service is the base year population on
which to set the service standard. For the purpose of this Plan,
the year 1987 has been established as the base year. The
estimated 1987 population, as provided by the St. Lucie County
Department of Community Development, for the identified
recreational facilities is as follows:
APRIL 1, 1987 POPULATION
FACI LI TY TYPE SERVI CE POPULATI ON
NEIGHBCRHOOD PARR 52,280
COMMUDTI TY PARK 5 2, 2 8 0
REGI ONAL PARK 12 8, 4 51
January 9, 1990 9-1~ RECREATION
The extent to which level of service standards are met for the
current population was determined, as was the demand for
additional facilities to serve the projacted populations for the
initial planning period ending in the year 1995 and the second
planning period ending in the year 2015. The results of this
analysis serve as the basis for the determination of future
recreation demand. The methods of funding the short term needs,
1995, are addressed in the Capital Improvements Element.
Table 9-5 indicates the desired level of service standards for
recreational facilities in St. Lucie County. As a guide in
planning recreation and open space standards, it is imperative
that a basic determination be made as to the level of service
considered to be appropriate, desirable, and affordable by a
given community. Such level of service standards represent a
significant policy statement within the Comprehensive Plan and
provide an orderly basis for a land acquisition and facility
development program which responds to increases in a community's
population.
CIIRRBNT NSEDS AAd~iLYSI S
Current needs include both renovation and new facilities. Table
9-7 lists all the Park and Recreation capital improvement
projects which ~he County has planned for the next five years
(Fiscal Years 1990-1995). The following section briefly
describes the purpose of each project and identifies the service
population for the facility. The projects are numbered and
listed in the same order that they appear on Table 9-7.
1. Restrooms will be renovated at the Ft. Pierce Community
Center Building, in Indian River Memorial Park, and the Lincoln
Park Community Center. The renovation will make the restrooms
accessible to handicapped people. The programs offered at these
community centers are available to all residents within the
County.
2. The Ft. Pierce Community Center, in Indian River Memorial
Park, will be expanded so more rooms are available for arts and
craft programs. These programs are available to all residents
within the County.
3. The metal frames and windows at the Ft. Pierce Community
Center, in Indian River Memorial Park, will be replaced. This
facility is available to all residents within the County.
4. The existing air conditioning system at the Ft. Pierce
Community Center, in Indian River Memorial Park, will be
renovated, and parts of the system will be replaced. This
facility is available to all residents within tne County.
5. Freestanding restrooms will be constructed along with septic
systems at the Indrio Road Schoolhouse site. The Indrio Road
Schoolhouse is an old school house which functions as a park
Januarp 9, 199fl 9-16 RECREATION
TABLE 9-5
DRSI RED OUTDOOR RECRS~TI ON ST~11dDARDS
FOR ST. LIICI E CO['lIdTY
Standa=d Based Site Service Area Persons
Facility on Popul.ation Size Radius Served
Local:
Mini Parks no standard 1.0 acre .25 miles no standard
Neighborhood
. 5 acres/ 5. 0 acres 0. 5 miles up to 5, 000
Parks 1000
Community 5. 0 acres/ 10. 0 acres 10. 0 miles up to 40, 000
Parks 1000
Regi onal :
Regional/ 5.0 acres/ 100 acres 60 miles no standard
Metropolitan 1000
Parks
' Open Space no standard 500 acres 60 miles no standard
Reserves
Special
Purpos e:
Special Recreation Areas/Facilities No Standards
Conservation/Open Space Areas No Standards
Linear Recreation Areas No Standards
Watsrfront Bsach Access No Standards
Waterfront Activity Area No Standards
Source: St. Lucie County Department of Community Development
TABLE 9-6
RECO~iJDED P~iRRS & RRCREATI Oi4 FACI LI TY
LEPSL OF S$R~TICE STANDARD
REGI ONAL PARK 5 AC. PER 1000 POP. /COUNTYWI DE
COMMUNITY PARK 5 AC. PER 1000 SERVICE AREA POP.
NEIGHBORHOOD PARK .9 AC. PER 1000 SERVICE AREA POP.
January 9, 1990 9-17 RECREATION
TABLE 9-7
PARR AND RECREATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 1990 TO 1995
Reference Project Fiscal Year Total
Number 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
1 IND. RIVER: 30 30
Handicap Restrooms
2 I ND. RI VER: Expand 100 100
Craft Room
3 I ND. RI VER PARR: 12 5 12 5
Comm. Center
4 I ND. RI VE R PARR: 2 5 15 4 0
Ren/Rep
5 INDRIO SCHOOLHOUSE 30 30
Bathrooms/Shelter
6 LAKEWOOD 35 35
Restrooms
7 LAKEWOOD 40 40
Light 2 Tennis
8 LAREWOOD 20 20
Connection Fee
9 LAWNWOOD 60 60
Field 4 Lights
10 LAWNWOOD 1000 1600 2600
Multi-Use Bldg.
11 L~sWNWOOD 5 0 5 0
Ren. I rri gati on
12 LAWNWOOD 40 40
Con. 4 Tennis
13 LAWNWOOD 50 50
Light Field 3
14 LAWNWOOD 121 121
Softball Field
15 LAWNWOOD 50 50
Pave Parking Lot
16 LINCOLN PARK 250 250
Gymnasium
17 LI NCOLN 3 0 3 0
Comm. Center Roof: AC
18 S. C0. NEIGH. PARK 1 90 gp
19 S. CO. NEI GH. PARR 2 10 7 10 7
20 N. CO. NEIGH. PARR 144 144
21 PARADISE PARR 15 15
Connection Fees
22 PEPPER BEACH 150 150
Sewer Renovation
23 S.BEACH BOARDWALK Ren. 100 100
January 9, 1990 9-18 RECREATiON
TABLE 9-7, Cont.
PARR AND RECREATION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
BUDGET FOR FISCAL YE~RS 1990 TO 1995
Reference Project Fiscal Year Total
Number 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
24 S.CAUSEWAY ISLAND 35 35
Restrooms
25 S.CAUSEWAY ISLAND 18 18
Roof Repair
26 S.CAUSSWAY 101 101
Multi-Use Bldg.
27 S.CAUSEWAY 100 100
Boat Ramp
28 SLC CIVIC CENTER 25 135 160
Ren/Rep
29 MUSEUM FIRE PROT. 20 20
30 QUADRfiPLEX SOFTBALL FLD. 500 1000 1500
31 PORT ST.LUCIE SCHOOL 50 50
Neighborhood Park
TOTAL 691 2070 2786 225 285 204 6261
January 9, 1990 9-19 RECREATION
shelter. Currently restrooms are located inside the building and
the building is open only dur.ing the day. The freestanding
restrooms will enable this facility to accommodate more people
and increase the hours of operation. This site is classified as
a unique recreational facility and is available to all residents
within the county.
6. Restrooms will be renovated at Lakewood Park so they will be
accessible to handicapped people. Lakewood Park is classified as
a community park and draws most of its users from the Lakewood
Park development area.
7. Two additional tennis courts will be added to Lakewood Park.
The Lakewood Park area has experienced recent growth as more of
the platted lots are developed. The new tennis courts are
budgeted to meet current demand because the existing tennis
courts are at capacity most of the time. This facility is
classified as a community park with the majority of users being
from the Lakewood Park area.
8. A connection fee for central water and sewer service for the
Lakewood Park facility has been budgeted in anticipation of those
utilities being available in the area.
9. Four lights will be added to the sports fields at the
Lawnwood Recreation Sports Complex. These lights will allow
expanded hours of operation and meet the current demand for
organized sports programs like baseball. The Lawnwood Recreation
Sports ~omplex service area includes both the unincorporated and
the incorporated parts of the county since the facilities and
programs are available to all residents within the county.
10. A new multi-purpose building will be constructed at the
Lawnwood Recreation Sports Complex. This facility will include a
recreation center, gymnasium, and eventually a swimming pool.
The gymnasium would fill the demand for indoor organized sports
such as basketball as well as regular gymnasium programs.
11. The irrigation system will be renovated at Lawnwood
Recreation Sports Complex. There are currently four regular
baseball fields and soon there will be three softball fields at
this site. The renovation will provide regular water service to
these fields. Lawnwood Recreation Sports Complex is classified
as a unique recreational facility and is available for use by all
residents within the county.
12. Two additional tennis courts at Lawnwood Recreational Sports
Complex will be constructed. Several tennis programs are offered
at the Sports Complex and available to all county rasidents; the
additional courts will serve the growth in current demand for
these recreational activities.
13. Lights will be added to Baseball Field #3 at Lawnwood
Recreational Sports Complex. Currently two fields at the Sports
Complex have lighting for night games. These fields are
January 9, 1990 9-20 RECREATION
frequently full so the high school teams play their games at the
Indian River Community College. The additional lighting will
enable these games to be played at the Sports Complex.
14. A new softball field will be constructed at the Lawnwood
Recreational Sports Complex. The number of softball leagues and
teams that the County conducts and supervises is limited by the
number of available softball fields. The softball field is being
added at the Sports Complex because this site is centrally
located, and a larger number and variety of recreational programs
can be conducted and supervised at one large facility rather than
several small ones. The recreational programs at the Lawnwood
Recreational Sports Complex are available to residents in both
the unincorporated and incorporated parts of the County.
15. Paved parking will be provided at Lawnwood Recreational
Sports Center. Currently grass parking is available but with the
growth in the use of this facility there is a need to pave these
areas.
16. A new gymnasium will be constructed at Lincoln Park
Community Center. This building will be constructed to meet the
current and anticipated needs of the residents in this area for
an indoor recreational facility.
17. The existing air conditioning system at the Lincoln Park
Community Center will be upgraded and replaced. The present air
conditioning is in need of major repair and renovation; the
upgrading and replacement will allow this facility to continue to
serve the recreational needs of the community residents.
18. This item is the first of two additional five acre
neighborhood parks that will be constructed in the central to
southern portion of the County. One park will be constructed
near Oleander Boulevard between Midway Road and Saeger Avenue;
another park will be constructed east of US Hwy. 1, near Tilton
Road and Silver Oak Drive. The specific location for this park
will be determined in Fiscal Year 1991 when site acquisition and
development monies are budgeted. The park is being constructed
to meet the projected growth needs.
19. This item is the second of the two additional five acre
neighborhood parks that will be constructed. The specific
location for this park will be determined in Fiscal Year 1993
when site acquisition and development monies are budgeted. This
park is also being constructed to meet the projected growth.
20. A new five acre neighborhood park will be constructed in
the northern portion of the County. This park will be
constructed north of St. Lucie Boulevard, between Kings Highway
and St. Lucie County Airport and south of Indrio Road. The
specific location for this park will be determined in Fiscal Year
1995 when site acquisition and development monies are budgeted.
This park is also being constructed to meet the projected
growth.
January 9, 1990 9-21 RECREATION
21. A connection fee for central water and sewer service to
Paradise Park has been budgeted for Fiscal Year 1992. Paradise
Park is a neighborhood park facility that includes a swimming
pool. The connection fee is in anticipation of water and sewer
lines being available in the area.
22. The renovation of the sewer system at Pepper Beach Park is
budgeted for fiscal year 1991. Pepper Beach Park is one of the
most popular community parks, especially during the warmer
months. The renovation will allow this facility to continue to
meet the recreational needs of the community.
23. The South Beach Park Boardwalk will be renovated. The
existing 1200 foot boardwalk is seventeen years old and in need
of major repair. The South Beach Park is one of the busiest
beaches on South Hutchinson Island and is classified as a
community park.
24. Outdoor restrooms will be constructed at South Island
Causeway Park. This park is located just over the south bridge.
The park is frequently used because it has a boat ramp but
currently there are no outdoor restroom facilities on site. This
park is also classified as a community park.
25. The roof of the Historical Museum will be repaired in
Fiscal Year 1993. The Museum is located on South Causeway Island
and is classified as a unique recreation facility that is
available to all county residents.
26. A multi-use building is scheduled to be constructed on the
South Island Park next to the Museum. The building will provide
additional display and storage area for the Museum, and an
assembly room for group meetings and special events. The new
building will be available to all residents within the County.
27. An additional boat ramp will be constructed at the South
Island Park. This boat ramp will be open to all county residents
but the facility is classified as a community park because the
majority of the users are expected to come from within a 10 mile
service area radius.
28. The air conditioning system at the St. Lucie County Civic
Center will be renovated in Fiscal Years 1991 and 1992. The
Civic Center is classified as a unique facility and is available
for use by all county residents.
29. A fire sprinkler system will be installed in the Museum for
fire protection purposes. Located in the South Island Park, the
Museum is available to all county residents.
30. Funding for a Quadraplex Softball Field is budgeted in
Fiscal Years 1991 and 1992. The specific location of the site
has not been determir_ed yet but early discussions indicate the
park mig'r.t ne located near the St. Lucie West area. Regardless
January 9, 1990 9-22 RECREATION
of the final location, the park will serve Little League
programs, high school teams, and adult leagues throughout the
County.
31. Funding for site development of the west area of Sportsman's
Park is being continued. Work is under way to construct two
softball fields, two tennis courts, a soccer field, and parking
facilities. This project is being done in conjunction with the
School Board but the amount of money listed here represents only
the County portion. Sportsman's Park is classified as a
community park.
FIITQRE DI~I~IAAID
Tables 9-8, and 9-9 reflect recreation needs, based on population
and the County's level of service standards, for 1987, 1995, and
2015. Existing park acreage is also given for comparison
purposes. These needs are based upon the recommended standards
presented in Table 9-6.
The continued use of interlocal agreements between the County,
the School Board, and the City of Ft. Pierce, for the multi-use
of school sites provides greater flexibility in funding and in
the type of facilities which can be made available to the public.
A similar reciprocal use agreement can also be sought with the
City of Port St. Lucie. These type of agreements benefit all
residents within the County by maximizing the use of public
facilities with comparatively little additional public funding.
January 9, 1990 9-23 RECREATION
T~BLB 9-8
CDRRENT AND FDTQIZE RSCREATI ON NLLDS ( I N ACRSS )
ST. i,IICI E COOY+7TY
FACI LI TY TYP$
Neiahborhood Parks Community Parks Reaional Parks
Total Total Total
Year Existing Needed Existing Needed Existing Needed
1987 54. 7 26. 1 359. 9 256. 5 6, 240. 9 642. 3
1990 54. 7 29. 7 359. 9 297. 2 6, 240. 9 758. 5
1995 54. 7 34. 6 359. 9 346. 3 6, 240. 9 931. 0
2015 54. 7 46. 5 359. 9 465. 3 6, 240. 9 1, 593. 3
. Source: St. Lucie County Department of Community Development
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TABL$ 9-9
NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS
IINI NCORPORATRD TOT~I, DBd~lAND SSI STI NG
COIIN'1.'Y BASl3D ON L. O. S. N$I GHBORHOOD
Y$AR POPDI,~~ION 1/2 ~CRS P$R 1000 PARR ACRgAGE SDRPI,IIS
1987 52, 280 26. 1 54. 7 +28. 6
1988 54, 266 27. 1 54. 7 +27. 6
1989 56, 436 28. 2 54. 7 +26. 5
1990 59, 446 29. 7 54. 7 +25. 0
1995 69, 226 34. 6 54. 7 +20. 1
2000 77, 052 38. 5 54. 7 +16. 2
2005 84, 029 42. 0 54. 7 +12. 7
2010 90, 511 45. 3 54. 7 + 9. 4
2015 93, 045 46. 5 54. 7 + g, 2
January 9, 1990 9-24 RECREATION
GOALS. OBJECTIDES AND POLICIES
GOAL 9. 1: PROVI DE ~DEQII~TB RECRBgTI ON FACI LI TI ES ~ND
OPEN SPACS ARE~S ~ CH OFFER A BRO~iD RANGE
OF ACTI VI TI ES TO ~LL CI TI Z13NS OF ST_ LIICI R
CODN~Y.
OBJECTIV$ 9. 1_ 1: Active and passiva recreation facilities,
and open space areas for the residents of
St. Lucie County shall be provided in a
manner so as to comply with the level of
service standaxds set forth by this element
and to maintai.n such compliance in
subsequent years_
Policy 9. 1. 1. 1: Level of Service for Recreation and Open
Space shall be as follows:
Neighborhood parks: .5 acres/1000 residents
in the unincorporated area.
Community parks: 5 acres/1000 residents in
the unincorporated area.
Regional parks: 5 acres/1000 residents
county wide.
Policy 9. 1. 1.2: Accept and achieve the level of service
standards as set forth in this and the
Capital Improvements Elements, through an
equitable and systematic land acquisition
and development program.
Policy 9. 1. 1. 3: The County will continue to correct and
improve upon existing deficiencies through
additional land acquisition and development,
and through expansion or renovation of
existing parks and recreational facilities
through projects specified in the Capital
Improvement Element.
Policy 9. 1. 1. 4: By August 1, 1990, incorporate recreation
and open space definitions and requirements
into land development regulations.
Policy 9. 1. 1. 5: By August 1, 1990, the County shall conduct
a preliminary study to identify ecological
communities which should be designated
environmentally sensitive, in addition to
any already identified in this Comprehensive
Plan. By December 31, 1993, a final study
January 9, 1990 9-25 RECREATION
shall be prepared including recommendations
for: designation of areas for open space and
natural preservation; protection,
conservation, and appropriate use of these
areas; and the administrative and fiscal
constraints of the County. Potential
programs shall include: acquisition,
restriction of prohibition of activities,
conservation easements, transfer of
devel opmental ri ghts , and z oni ng. The s tudy
shall identify those areas where particular
mechanisms would be most appropriate, as
well as possible cooperative efforts with
other public and private entities for
implementation of this policy. The study
shall be presented to the County Commission
for consideration as an amendment to this
Comprehensive Plan.
Policy 9. 1. 1. b: All areas having the Conservation Public
Land Use designation will be used solely for
preservation and/or recreation. No
residential or commercial development will
be permitted other than development
typically related to park service and
security functions.
OBJECTIVE 9. 1_ 2: Through the use of public funds, gifts,
contributions, mandatory fees andJor
deductions, cooperative agreements, or otlaer
means, St. Lucie County will coordina.te
public and private resources to ffieet the
recreation and open space needs of its
residents_
Po1 i cy 9. 1. 2. 1: The County s hal l purs ue dev~l opment and
enhancement of its recreational programs in
the following programs:
a. Enact a fully operational impact fee
program by December 31, 1995, and;
b. Supplement facility needs through
interlocal agreements, operational
practices, user fees and public/private
cooperative efforts.
Policy 9. 1.2.2: The County shall use monies collected from
the recreational impact fee to acquire
additional open space and natural
reservation areas and to develop the
necessary facilities.
January 9, 1990 9-26 RECREATION
Policy 9.1.2.3: The County shall continue intergovernmental
agreements with the St. Lucie County School
Board and the City of Ft. Pierce to utilize
school recreation facilities.
Policy 9. 1. 2. 4: The County will seek through an
intergovernmental agreement with the City of
Port St. Lucie to establish the reciprocal
use of recreation facilities.
Policy 9. 1.2. 5: The County shall allow, to the extent
legally possible, and whenever practical,
other governmental agencies, such as the St.
Lucie County School Board, to use the St.
Lucie County Sports Complex.
Policy 9. 1.2. 6: Maintain a detailed Recreation and Open
Space Inventory which indicates the general
location of existing and proposed site and
facilities as well as functional
classification, nature of improvements,
us age, s i z e, pri ori ty, and other appropri ate
considerations.
OBJEC~I VE 9. 1. 3: St. Luci e County s ha11 provi de vehi cul az and
pedestrian access to all public, active,
recreation facilities, including barrier-
free desig~n features at entrance points to
facilities such as buildings used for group
assembly, spectator seating areas, and
beaches and shores.
Policy 9. 1. 3. 1: Acquire and develop easements or rights-of-
way as required to provide adequate access
for public recreation facilities. Construct
accessways which are compatible with the
character and needs of the facility, as well
as being harmonious with surrounding
development patterns.
Policy 9. 1. 3. 2: Continue to provide public access to
Atlantic Ocean beaches, and continue to give
careful consideration to providing related
parking areas and dune cross-over facilities
without disturbance to the dune environment,
natural habitats, and designated areas of
particular concern.
January 9, 1990 9-27 RECREATION