Cape Coral City Council unanimously approved a contract agreement with Pennoni consulting engineering firm to provide final design services for the Jaycee Park improvements project for an amount not exceeding $573,565. Approval authorized Interim City Manager Michael Ilczyszyn or his designee to execute the contract, purchase orders and change orders. 

Some improvements to the 10.45-acre park, 4215 SE 20th Place, include a bar, amphitheater and place for food trucks, which raised concerns for residents who frequent the green space.  

Nearly four dozen residents spoke in opposition to the project at Wednesday night’s meeting, many of whom were concerned about major changes to the park they utilize for exercise, family gatherings and connecting with nature. 

“Let’s refresh, not ruin our beautiful Jaycee Park,” said 36-year Cape Coral resident Nancy Devereaux. “We love our park just the way it is. There is a time and a place for everything. We enjoy the serenity of the park. People bring small children to play here. They walk their leash dogs here. They meet and make friends here.”While many opposed broader amenities, some residents acknowledged the park needs improvements. 

“Please reconsider changing this gem into an attraction,” resident Sheryl Lerner said. “It’s almost perfect the way it is. There could be some upgrades, maybe more trees and another tiki hut, a safer border along the river rather than the rocks. Change is inevitable, but bars, tennis courts, boat slips and amphitheaters belong downtown or elsewhere.” 

Several council members agreed regarding general improvements to the park, with council member Dan Sheppard wanting to keep “the small-town feel” of the park. 

“I want to keep the park the way it is, when it comes to what kind of park it is,” he said. “It’s a park to go to relax and see the river and see the water and enjoy what’s there, but it doesn’t mean we can’t improve on that. I don’t think the intent is to commercialize it or do a lot of the things that people said. We want to improve it.”

Much of the confusion Wednesday came from a miscommunication of what the agenda item entailed, with many interpreting final design services as final approval of the conceptual plan. However, the approval just allows contract negotiations with the consultant to begin the engineering and design services to create the final design. 

“This is the beginning of the process,” Assistant City Manager Connie Barron said. “We will be doing more than just one public involvement session to get the feedback. This park will not be a hangout. It will not be a party and drinking place. It will not be a park that has loud concerts every night. This is not what we’re trying to create.” 

Urban Land Institute spent a week in the city about a year ago. The nonprofit research and education organization said it was astonished by the lack of waterfront access for the waterfront city, Barron said. 

“[ULI] said we should celebrate the views,” she said. “One of the comments that I saw was that this plan will change the dynamics, and I would agree that it would change the dynamics in a way, but that would just provide what I would consider a dynamic waterfront view.”Considering the park’s 1,300 feet of shoreline along the Caloosahatchee River, it’s considered an ideal location to become a waterfront destination in the Cape.

Shoreline improvements, including clearing of invasive vegetation, a dock and piers and a pedestrian-friendly river frontage area are a primary focus for the project. Some residents were against removing the current vegetation, with Ilczyszyn responding by pointing out some species are environmental nuisances.  

Council member Bill Steinke said removal of one invasive species doesn’t preclude the city from replanting natural, indigenous species.  

Future dates for public input on the project haven’t yet been released.