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 it's 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).
Parks and Recreation Master Plan
The City of North Port has created a Parks and Recreation Master Plan(PDF, 12MB) that consists of a comprehensive analysis of the entire City parks and recreation system and provides recommendations for the future delivery of services over the next 10 years.
The project to create the Master Plan started in May 2015 in conjunction with Sarasota County’s efforts to create a countywide Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The two plans, although different, tie into each other. North Port’s plan, however, is distinctly for the North Port community. On April 26, 2016, the City Commission accepted the Parks & Recreation Master Plan for the City of North Port as a work product. On January 9, 2018, the City Commission approved the Master Plan with changes. View the final Parks and Recreation Master Plan(PDF, 12MB).
For more information, contact the City’s Parks and Recreation Department at (941) 429-PARK(7275).
Parks & Recreation Master Plan Appendices
Narramore Soccer Field Rehabilitation
In July of 2021, the City of North Port assumed responsibility for operation and maintaining the Narramore Park Sports Complex. This initiative builds upon Sarasota County’s initial field rehabilitation and replacement plan. The three soccer fields at Narramore Park are set for rehabilitation, with one field undergoing renovations each year for three consecutive years. All field recommended renovations aligns with the direction given by both Sarasota County and Parks & Recreation Athletic Field Specialists.
Narramore Field 1 will be closed from April 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024. The renovation process for this field will involve removing existing turf and weeds, incorporating sand and soil conditioner, laser grading and installing Bermuda sprigs. These measures are intended to enhance drainage and durability. The field will need to remain closed for approximately six months to allow the Bermuda sprigs to establish a strong root structure.
As a preplanned renovation, the funding for this project is sourced from a Surtax Allocation under Project P24NFR.
Boundless Adventures Playground Resurfacing
The Boundless Adventures Playground is one of the most popular playgrounds in the North Port park system. Designed to give every child in North Port a location to play with equipment accessible to children of all abilities. The original playground safety surface was installed in 2018 and is now in need of replacement of the top 1.5" of surface due to wear and tear. This project is be funded through the use of Repair & Replacement funds under project P24BPR.
Boundless Adventure Playground is tentatively scheduled to closed for repairs to the playground surface for June 10 and lasting for several weeks. We will continue to post updates and a projected re-open date when one becomes available.
Marina Park Restrooms
Marina Park is a highly utilized specialty park that connects boaters in North Port to the Myakka River via the Myakkahatchee Creek. The Marina Park Restroom project will provide a new permanent restroom facility and ADA parking enhancements to better meet the needs of local anglers and water recreation enthusiasts. The project budget is $250,000 funded primarily through a Surtax allocation and some park impact fees.
Mobilization for the project is anticipated in late May 2024.
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George Mullen Activity Center Playground Replacement
The existing playground equipment at the George Mullen Activity Center was installed back in 2013 and is planned for replacement during fiscal year 2024. The project is budgeted at $250,000 using a Surtax allocation.
This playground will have a rocket ship/USA theme that flows into the Circle of Honor memorial. There will be two (2) independent shade structures, three (3) slides, two (2) Rocket Ship Rock N’ Rides, and a Comet Spinner. This playground will also feature fully accessible swings and a custom photo panel for cosmic selfies!
Replacement will commence on May 6 and is estimated to be completed at the end of May/early June. The playground area will be closed during removal and installation. Upon completion of the project, we will announce an official re-opening ceremony to celebrate the new playground. Stay tuned for details as we get closer.
Circle of Honor
About the Project
On March 23, 2021, Resolution 2021-R-17 was adopted by City Commission establishing the Veterans Park Advisory Committee to make recommendations regarding the new Veterans Park at North Port City Center. During the June 28, 2022 City Commission Regular meeting, approval was provided to name the site Circle of Honor based on submissions provided by the Veterans Park Advisory Committee. The FY22 Capital Improvement Program includes project #P21VET funded with $1M from Parks and Recreation Impact Fees to support design and construction of the site which will honor Veterans of all U.S. Military forces, past, present and future.
Location
The Circle of Honor will be located within the North Port City Center Complex, per the map below.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Are you interested in sponsoring an amenity for this project? Contact Kimberly Lencki, Community Partnership & Engagement Manager, at 941-429-7143 or email KLencki@NorthPortFL.gov to discuss.
Myakkahatchee Creek Greenway Nature Trail
About the Project
On June 28, 2022, City Commission approved the award of RFB #2022-23 for construction of the Myakkahatchee Creek Greenway Nature Trail to Gale Construction of Illinois for $1,908,812.07. This project is funded by park impact fees, surtax, and a developer contribution of $141,646.
Opened on Nov. 15, 2023, this one-mile passive walking trail is the first phase of the Myakkahatchee Creek Greenway Master Plan that was approved in 2007. The accessible trail is engineered to avoid wetland impacts wherever possible, minimize overlap with the existing primitive bike trail, mitigate the impact to existing vegetation and native trees, and preserve and enhance the natural scenic features along the greenway.
Location
The trail is located adjacent to the Myakkahatchee Creek providing a linear park experience to residents and serving as a safe pedestrian connection between West Price Boulevard and Appomattox Boulevard.
Contact
For more information, please call the Parks & Recreation Department at 941-429-PARK(7275) or email Parks@NorthPortFL.gov.