A message from Mayor McDermott:
This Nance Park/Boardwalk re-imagination project has been my vision from the outset. As it sits now, outside of a small boardwalk area, The Boardwalk and Wavecrest Ave. section is primarily an oceanfront parking lot and while Nance Park has more to offer, it also is mostly just a utilitarian parking lot. I believe these areas can be re-imagined into an area that can benefit our residents more than simply generating parking revenue. (Side note: have you ever wondered why residents have to pay for parking? It’s because Nance Park/Wavecrest, along with Sunrise Park and the Tampa Ave. access COMPLETELY funded by parking revenue and not a single penny from property taxes are used for the upkeep.)
My vision is a nature-infused gathering space for our residents and streetscape with an extended boardwalk, walking paths, ocean viewing spots, picnic spots to enjoy take-out from our local restaurants, and educational areas that highlight our native plants and wildlife. Additionally, a new bathhouse (or community center) that pays homage to the historic Indialantic Casino with an art deco design. All built using environmentally conscious materials and methods.
An RFP (request for proposal) was published earlier in the year and Land Design was selected as the design firm to develop a vision for this project. The first public open house was held in August and more will follow as part of the concept development process. Funding for this stage has come from the parking revenue while funding sources for construction is still To Be Determined.
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An Update from Mayor McDermott
These are the vision boards that were presented by Land Design at the December open house. Higher resolution files will be available at Indialantic.com. Although these are not the final concept drawings, I wouldn’t expect major changes unless Council and/or residents choose to go in other directions. This is just a concept that sets a vision for possible future projects. A funding source has not been identified.
Highlights:
Nance Park
* Parking has been consolidated to open more usable space
* 2 sport courts have been added with specifics to be determined at a later date - these could be volleyball, basketball, pickleball, tennis, etc.
* The Mikey Goodwin Playground remains untouched
* A pavilion has been added with a walking plaza (i.e. nice paver area)
* An event lawn has been added by consolidating the parking.
* The bathroom building has been replaced by a community center with small rentable event space and will include public bathrooms for beachgoers. (Note: the images shown represent a basic “placeholder” and don’t represent what the building would actually look like. If the project moves forward, the town would work with an architect on this building to pay homage to the old casino that used to occupy Nance Park.)
Wavecrest
* The portion in front of Bizzarro’s and Surfinista will be repaved with pavers with a paver plaza with public seating on the Nance Park side
* This section would also have removable bollards, allowing it to be closed to vehicle traffic to hold farmers’ market-style events. (Note: both business owners LOVED this concept)
* Pavers would be added the length of Wavecrest to non-traffic areas, such as parking spots, to improve stormwater permeability
* An entrance plaza would be added to the end of 5th Ave. at the boardwalk and each side street entrance from A1A at the boardwalk
* A boardwalk would be added down the full length of Wavecrest allowing for ocean viewing. The intent is to add this AROUND the sea grapes to preserve the dune integrity. The boardwalk would be elevated to allow for nesting sea turtles to access under the boardwalk - this was supported by the Sea Turtle Preservation Society who will continue to be consulted IF the project moves forward. (Note: this would be done in accordance with any and all FL DEP rules/regulations and would only be responsibly done after consultation with DEP and other subject matter experts including our own Sustainability Board.)
* Bioswales, rain gardens, and other native plantings will be incorporated.