Gumbo Limbo revamp, restaurant could be among changes
By Cheryl Blackerby
A new Gumbo Limbo Nature Center building, a restaurant on Red Reef Executive Golf Course and development of the 15-acre Ocean Strand, which has been closed to the public for 20 years, were just a few of the possibilities for what could be a massive renovation of Red Reef Park.
Boca Raton Beach and Park District commissioners heard the priorities for the renovation, the first step in developing a master plan for the park, at a meeting Dec. 8.
Michael Kroll, vice president of Miller Legg, an environmental engineering consulting firm hired by the district for the renovations, gave the presentation, which included the wish lists of the park’s key stakeholders — the district, the city of Boca Raton, Red Reef Executive Golf Course management, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center staff and Friends of Gumbo Limbo.
He also told commissioners the results of a survey of park users, which Kroll admitted was a sampling of only 51 people.
The top concerns of the city were the need for storage for equipment and park vehicles in all parts of the park, including the golf course and Gumbo Limbo; a healthy, renourished reef, which is covered up and not visible to snorkelers and divers; and new boardwalks and picnic tables.
The city expressed concern that the building, restrooms and storage at Gumbo Limbo are inadequate for current needs and future expansion, which also was the biggest concern of the Gumbo Limbo staff.
The city also said the park should have sea turtle-friendly lighting at the beach, picnic park areas, parking lots and exterior of Gumbo Limbo.
The city staff commented that the park should be a model for turtle-friendly lighting, said Kroll. Gumbo Limbo staff also requested turtle-friendly lighting, saying that current lighting was in conflict with the center’s purpose.
The center’s staff said the buildings at the Nature Center are outdated, and there are issues with insulation, air conditioning, moisture entering the facilities and asbestos.
The city wanted Miller Legg to include ideas for increasing revenue, said Kroll, such as canoe/kayak rentals, sailboat and other small boat rentals; and food and beverage concessions.
The city expressed an interest in building a restaurant at the golf course, offering more instructional programs and offering event space rentals to offset the $250,000 annual deficit at the course.
Kroll recapped the district’s top priorities in the master plan, which included possible uses for Ocean Strand, which stretches across A1A from the ocean to the Intracoastal. The land, a quarter-mile-north of Red Reef Park and one of the city’s most valuable pieces of real estate, is owned by the district.
The district asked Miller Legg to evaluate the park’s buildings, walking paths and lifeguard towers. And, like the city, it expressed concern about the degradation of the reef.
As far as the golf course, the district suggested junior golf camps and golf lessons, but not a restaurant.
The Red Reef Golf Course management’s priorities were for more storage space for vehicles and more office space, but felt there was no need to expand the pro shop. They also said vegetation should be removed so players could see the ocean and Intracoastal.
The survey of park goers showed the top five reasons they went to the park were: beach/swimming (23 percent), leisurely walks (15 percent), snorkeling/diving (12 percent), Gumbo Limbo (12 percent) and nature/wildlife viewing (10 percent).
The areas needing the most improvement, they said, were restrooms (17 percent), showers (13 percent), beach boardwalk (10 percent), parking (9 percent), and beach (8 percent).
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