Current Projects

During the April 3, 2025, City Commission Special Meeting, Commission approved the award of Request for Proposal No. 2025-16 - Professional Services for Parks & Recreation Master Plan to GAI Consultants, Inc. in the amount of $249,665. Funded by Park Impact Fees, the project scope includes development of a comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan that emphasizes sustainability, accessibility, community cohesion, and placemaking taking into consideration the growing needs of North Port as the largest city in Sarasota County in both land mass and population. The plan will also focus on economic development opportunities through eco-tourism by exploring new opportunities to leverage North Port’s unique natural features, in addition to enhancing the city’s existing parks and recreation offerings. Although the existing Parks & Recreation Master Plan, approved in FY 2018, was intended to be a ten-year guiding document, record growth within the City has resulted in portions of the plan already being outdated.

Parks & Recreation Master Plan - FY 2018

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

• Appendix A - Statistically Valid Survey(PDF, 2MB)
• Appendix B - Online Survey Results(PDF, 186KB)
• Appendix C - 2006 Parks & Recreation Master Plan(PDF, 47MB)
• Appendix D - 2007 Myakkahatchee Creek Greenway Plan(PDF, 29MB)
• Appendix E - 2008 Dallas White Park Final Report(PDF, 9MB)
• Appendix F - 2010 Aquatic Facility Master Plan(PDF, 17MB)  
• Appendix G - 2010 Creek & Canal Master Plan(PDF, 12MB)
• Appendix H - Strategic Plan(PDF, 2MB)
• Appendix I - Parks & Recreation Mission and Vision(PDF, 133KB)

2025 Field Renovation Schedule

• May 5 – Oct. 31: Narramore Soccer Field 2 
• April 28 – June 30: All Butler Fields
• May 12 – June 30: Larry T Front and Back Fields
• June 16 – July 7: Narramore Softball Fields
• June 30 – Sept 1: Narramore soccer Fields
• June 30 – Sept 1: Atwater Baseball Fields
• Dec. 2 – Dec. 16: Butler & Atwater
• Dec. 16 – Dec. 30: Narramore Soccer Fields 1 & 3

During Field Closures

Please remember to stay off the fields during scheduled closures or when signage of a closure is posted, even if there is no obvious work being completed. Several of the projects scheduled require ‘field rest’ to be effective, so even if it looks like work is not active, the fields are getting exactly what they need. 

Florida weather can be unpredictable and may impact these anticipated project dates. For the most current field status, sign up for the North Port Parks & Recreation Rainout Line or call 941-841-4410 and listen for prompts.

Courts at McKibben Park are scheduled to be resurfaced throughout the month of July. Each resurfacing project is expected to take approximately one week to complete, weather permitting, and courts will be closed accordingly. A detailed closure schedule will be shared as soon as it becomes available. Please check back here and follow us on Facebook for the latest updates.

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 current Capital Improvement Program includes project #P21VET funded with $1.4M 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.

Design Concept 

Tribute Program at the Circle of Honor

Through donations of monument features, individuals can honor the dedication and sacrifice of active-duty U.S. military and veterans, ensuring their legacy is preserved in a space of dignity and remembrance. Please complete the online application to apply for the Tribute Program at the Circle of Honor.

Flag Assembly Court
Liberty - $2,500 | Freedom - $1,500 | Patriotic - $250

Serving as the centerpiece for events, memorial services, and patriotic celebrations, the Flag Assembly Court is a sacred gathering place. At its heart stands the United States flag, flanked by the state and POW/MIA flags, alongside flags representing the six branches of U.S. Armed Forces. Donors will be recognized at tiered levels of giving on a customized plaque prominently displayed within the Circle of Honor. Donation period commences upon opening and lasts 10 years.

Pavers - $100

Memorial brick pavers are a powerful way to honor service members and veterans. Measuring approximately 3”x8”, each paver can be engraved and personalized using a preselected message. Donation period commences upon opening and lasts 10 years.

Medallion - Coming Soon!

Celebrate the courage and commitment of a U.S. veteran or active-duty service member with a customized branch-specific military medallion. Each medallion will be engraved with the name of the honored individual and proudly reflect their service in one of the six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Kimberly Lencki, Community Partnership & Engagement Manager, at 941-429-7143 or email KLencki@NorthPortFL.gov to discuss.

News Coverage:

The City of North Port has experienced unprecedented growth over the past few years and has identified this area as lacking access to parks and associated recreational amenities. The City’s Capital Improvement Program includes Project #P23PAS Boca Chica Neighborhood Park for the development of a primarily passive park with low impact recreational opportunities such as nature observation, walking and enjoyment of open space.

The project is funded by a combination of Park Impact Fees and Surtax allocated in Fiscal Year 2023 in the amount of $300,000 using Park Impact Fees.

ADA Transition Plan

The Parks & Recreation Department has completed an ADA evaluation of several park and facility locations with the assistance of ACT Services, Inc. Following this evaluation, recommendations for physical improvements to enhance the accessibility of the City’s parks and facilities have been compiled into a phased transition plan.

The ADA transition plan outlines a phased approach to implementing physical improvements, repairs, and adjustments to eliminate barriers to accessing parks and facilities. In FY24, the focus is on continuing the implementation of accessible routes at Dallas White Park. The new paths will connect the parking area to the redesigned multi-purpose field, as well as to the new playground and volleyball court area, including seating areas.

This project is funded through a Surtax allocation and is part of an existing Capital Improvement Project; Project # GM20AT.

Multi-purpose Field

The City will repurpose the existing softball field, turning it into a much-needed multi-purpose field. The space will be converted into a maximum-size soccer field, along with a layout for smaller fields suitable for youth players. The primary use of the field will be for soccer, but it will also accommodate football and flag football.  

 The entire field will be fenced with a 6-foot-high galvanized metal fence, including appropriate gates for access from Sam Shapos Way. This field renovation will not impact the existing Scout House. Project #P24DWF

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."

The existing restroom at Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park has been removed, and a new restroom is expected to be delivered, installed, and operational by early October 2025.

The City issued a purchase order to WSP USA Environmental & Infrastructure Inc. to provide engineering services for the replacement project. During the design process, it was determined that the previous restroom and its access ramp did not meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, and the composting toilet was not functioning as intended.

Additionally, the site lacked sewer or septic connections, and the former restroom was not elevated to meet floodplain requirements. The new restroom will feature an elevated design with ADA-compliant access from the existing parking area. A prefabricated, two-unit, single-occupant restroom configuration has been selected for installation.

Necessary geotechnical sampling and reporting have been completed to support the structural requirements of the new facility. These improvements aim to enhance accessibility, safety, and overall visitor experience at the park.

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.