The City of DeFuniak Springs Beautification and Tree Board voted September 3, 2020 to move forward with applying for a state grant to upgrade Florence Park located at the intersection of Clay Avenue and South 11th Street. The application will be submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in October.
Florence Park is located on the original grounds of the Florida Chautauqua resort/campus which is on the National Register of Historic Places. According to original maps of the resort/campus in 1885, the triangular-shaped park was named "Cypress Place." Today, the park is comprised of outdated and worn-out playground equipment including a swing set, round-about, metal slide, jungle gym and rotting benches and picnic table which the City Beautification and Tree Board is interested in upgrading to more assessible and intergenerational amenities.
Board members heard from Dewberry Engineers representative Elissa Pettis on conceptual plans to upgrade the park including parking, as well as organization leaders as Kim Lonas from CHOICE, an organization which serves children and adults with special needs.
Board members voted to move forward with grant application plans. Dewberry Engineers will survey neighborhood citizens about their vision for the park and conduct a public hearing prior to submitting an application on behalf of the City. If funding is granted, the City Council will then review all plans and terms of the grant and vote on whether to move forward with the park upgrades.
Next City Beautification and Tree Board meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 1, 2020, 11am at City Council Chambers, 71 US Highway 90 West, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435. Questions? Call the City’s staff liaison Christopher Mitchell at (850) 951-3057 or email Chris at grants@defuniaksprings.net.