Three weeks into her new job, Barbara Roberts, the manager at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, came before the BOCC to share the results of a grant program which is administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). The FDEP oversees a program called Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP). Roberts explained that the program purchases and/or pays for improvements to land used for recreation.
Roberts, who was previously posted at Flagler Beach State Park and North Peninsula State Park, gave a check for $100,000 to Hernando County Parks and Recreation to improve the soccer fields at Anderson Snow Park. Last year, the parks department applied for two grants to replace the sod and add landscaping and some artificial turf.
Stating the need to continually improve the county’s parks, Recreation Manager Harry Johnson thanked Roberts and staff members in purchasing and recreation for following up on the grant. The parks department is also applying for a grant to purchase new playground equipment for Pine Island. A link to the survey can be found at http://www.hernandocounty.us/parks_rec/.
Commissioner Diane Rowden addressed the parking issue at Weeki Wachee, which is no longer selling tickets once the parking lot reaches capacity. Roberts agreed that the parking lot is full by 10:00 am, so they will be working with other agencies to seek a solution to the problem.
Commissioner Wayne Dukes, who is also on the Port Authority, discussed the traffic on the Weeki Wachee River which is accessed by both motorized and non-motorized vessels. He asked Roberts to coordinate with the kayak rental company to provide instruction to kayakers and canoers to share the river with motorized boats.
Chairman Jim Adkins asked about the timeframe for the work on the soccer fields. Johnson has contacted a company in Land O’ Lakes to add artificial turf to the goal areas, and estimates approximately six months before the work is in progress.