Current Projects
It Starts in Parks
Parks are vitally important to establishing and maintaining the quality of life in a community, ensuring the health of families and youth and contributing to the economic and environmental well-being of a community and a region. On any given day, someone is being positively affected through parks and recreation – whether they are taking a walk on a trail or fitness class at the community center, learning a lifelong skill or just reaping the benefits of clean air and water because of preserved open space.
While serving a growing community, the Parks and Recreation Department provides public parks, trails, natural areas and recreation facilities. To fulfill its mission of promoting healthy and socially rewarding activities through the preservation of cultural resources and the provision of diverse high-quality parks and natural spaces, the Department must constantly plan for development and improvement.
Through the City’s Capital Improvement Program, the Department identifies projects that support community needs, prevent the deterioration of existing infrastructure and respond to and anticipate the future growth of the City.
To check on the status of park projects and view future considerations, visit the Capital Improvement Projects page or review the current City Development Map.
For more information, contact Parks & Recreation at 941-429-PARK (7275).
ADA Restroom Improvements
As part of the Parks & Recreation Department’s ADA Transition Plan, public restrooms at the park locations listed below will be upgraded to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. These improvements are required under Title II of the ADA for public agencies.
Work is scheduled to begin at Atwater Park on Sept. 21 and is expected to take approximately two days at each location.
All other dates are approximate and may change as work progresses.
- Atwater Women's: currently working
- Butler Park: Sept. 22
- Narramore Sports Complex: Sept. 30-Oct. 2
- Atwater Park Splash Pad: COMPLETE
- Larry Thoennissen Athletic Fields: COMPLETED
This capital improvement project supports the Parks & Recreation Master Plan approved by the City Commission in December 2025.
Dallas White Boat Ramp
The Dallas White Park Boat Ramp, located at 5900 Greenwood Drive, provides public access to the Cocoplum Waterway for boating, fishing, paddling and other waterfront recreation. The ramp was closed in late 2024 due to significant deterioration and shoreline erosion caused by repeated storm impacts.
The initial project evaluated the existing ramp and surrounding site to determine the appropriate approach for its replacement. Recommended improvements include replacing the deteriorated concrete ramp and pads, adding shoreline stabilization and incorporating accessible routes, handrails, signage and other features to improve safety and accessibility. Community input collected in fiscal year 2025 demonstrated strong public support for maintaining a boat ramp at this location.
The project is pending approval of $650,000 in Surtax funding through the fiscal year 2027 adopted budget, project number P27DBL. Upon budget adoption, the City will work to award construction services to the construction manager at risk. Specific project dates will be shared as the project progresses.
Hope Park
The City of North Port is investing in improvements at Hope Park with the replacement of the playground equipment located at 8161 Lombra Ave. The project is part of the City's ongoing commitment to providing safe, accessible and welcoming parks for residents while maintaining playgrounds through a regular replacement schedule. The existing playground was installed in 2015 and has reached the point in its lifecycle where replacement is recommended. City staff also perform monthly inspections to help ensure playground equipment continues to meet safety standards.
The project is funded through a $300,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) subrecipient agreement with Sarasota County, which was approved by the City Commission in May 2025. This funding allows the City to complete the playground replacement without requiring additional local matching funds.
The Hope Park Playground Replacement is included in the City's Capital Improvement Program as Project P25HPP. The total project budget is $300,000, with the proposed construction contract valued at $299,943.30. The project includes removing the existing playground equipment and installing a new playground that will continue to serve neighborhood families for years to come.
As work progresses, this page will be updated with project milestones, construction information and any temporary park impacts.
Hurricane Ian Projects
The City of North Port’s park system received significant damage as a result of Hurricane Ian. There were over 30 separate work assignments that were identified by the City’s insurance adjuster and FEMA inspector’s damage assessments. They have been awarded to address needed repairs and replacements across all City parks and facilities. Work assignments are issued as part of a competitive bid process that secured qualified contractors for the City. These work assignments are strategically grouped by locations, and were awarded to multiple contractors, who are thoroughly assessing conditions and providing guaranteed maximum price (GMP) proposals for each work assignment. Once the City receives and reviews the GMP, funding for the repairs or replacements must be identified and a budget amendment requested through the City’s Finance Department and presented for City Commission approval. Upon securing the necessary funding, the City then prepares a contract amendment that requires review and approval of the City Attorney’s office and then is presented for City Commission final approval. After the contract amendment is approved, the repairs or replacements are then scheduled for completion. While this is a lengthy process, all steps are necessary to ensure the City is in a position to receive maximum reimbursement through insurance and FEMA.
| Location |
WA # |
Work to be Performed |
Status |
| Marina Park |
2024-14FM |
Park signage, floating dock replacement, fencing |
Repairs underway |
Legacy Trail Connection to Warm Mineral Springs
Project: P24LTC
This project is for design and construction of a multi-use trail connecting the Legacy Trail Extension/North Port Connector at Price Boulevard and Calera Street to Warm Mineral Springs Park, continuing into the park and ending at a new trailhead.
For information on the Warm Mineral Springs building renovations, please the Warm Mineral Springs Park page, under "Latest News."
Warm Mineral Springs Park Habitat Restoration & Education Initative
Warm Mineral Springs is a significant ecological and cultural natural resource in Southwest Florida. The Warm Mineral Springs Habitat Restoration and Education Initiative aims to enhance water quality, restore native habitat, remove invasive vegetation, and install educational signage to strengthen public awareness and stewardship.
The City of North Port (City) is requesting bids from qualified firms demonstrating expertise in invasive species removal, native tree and understory planting, habitat rewilding with temporary irrigation, and sign installation. The spring and its surrounding landscape support important native vegetation, wildlife, and water quality functions, making this restoration effort essential to preserving the site’s ecological integrity. The project area has been affected by invasive vegetation and habitat degradation, diminishing ecological function and altering the natural character of the landscape.
The City received a federal funding reimbursement commitment through the Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership (CHNEP) of $230,000 towards this project.
The City estimates all onsite work to be completed within six months of the issuance of the Notice to Proceed (NTP). The City is seeking a Contractor to conduct restoration activities including removal of invasive plant species and establishment of native canopy and understory vegetation. In addition, the Contractor will fabricate and install four educational signs to help visitors understand the ecological significance of the area and the benefits of this restoration initiative.
The park will remain open for the duration of this project. However, the conservation easement parcels are still not open to the public.
This work directly supports CHNEP’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) by protecting wildlife habitat, reducing nonpoint source pollution, improving watershed conditions, and engaging the public in environmental education.