Way cleared for berm planting at Tequesta Park

Project OK'd now that Tequesta has signed a new lease with state agency

By Michelle Sheldone
staff writer
August 17, 2005

Work toward creating a Tequesta Park berm can begin now that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection — the park's new land manager — has approved a Village of Tequesta application to sow the seeds of the project.

"We've been talking about the berm and cleaning up that portion of park since last winter," said Jack Cory of Tallahassee-based Public Affairs Consultants, Inc. The Village had long leased the 45-acre parcel as part of Jonathan Dickinson State Park and in March applied for the berm planting on behalf of the Jupiter Hills Club community to the north.

The Village in July signed off on a new lease agreement for the park with FDEP — a move that Cory, Tequesta's public affairs consultant, called "more expeditious" than "bureaucratic mumbo jumbo."

The State Division of Parks and Recreation, realizing the land had been under village's control for decades, decided it no longer needed the property and turned it over to FDEP, said Cory. Approval of the berm was contingent upon executing the new lease agreement, he said.

"I think it's a win-win for the state and the village," said Cory. "It places the land where it really probably should have been for the last 20 years. It hasn't been a part Jonathan Dickinson other than sitting on map."

Tequesta Park incurred extensive damage during the 2004 hurricanes and the Village to date has spent about $50,000 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursed funds to clear usable areas, including baseball field, tennis and basketball courts, playground and restrooms. The storms also destroyed park lighting and downed fencing around the facility's tennis courts, playground and baseball fields.

The Jupiter Hills Golf Club and Jupiter Hills Property Owners Association abutting the park to the north contributed $45,000 so that the Village in May could begin clearing the balance of downed and snapped trees.

Planting the berm along the park's northern perimeter could cost those groups an additional $45,000, according to Assistant Village Manger Bob Garlo. The effort would aesthetically improve the rear of the park and serve as a buffer between Jupiter Hills residents and the public property, said Tequesta Mayor Jim Humpage.

Fencing repairs at the park have been complete, and the village is soliciting bids to repair the facility's lighting, said Garlo, who hopes to bring a contract for the project before Tequesta councilors in September.