Residents press CRA for action on Memorial Park and softball fields; safety concerns raised about nearby Mizner Hotel work

Several residents used the public‑requests portion of the April 13 Boca Raton CRA meeting to press the agency for near-term action on Memorial Park and city athletic fields and to raise safety concerns about a nearby construction project.

Earl Starkoff, a former Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District commissioner, urged the board to treat Memorial Park as a single, historically anchored civic system — preserving banyan trees and the children's museum, improving visibility and reducing unnecessary downtown traffic by relocating some operations. "When you step back, this is about putting the right uses in the right places," Starkoff said, urging a holistic restoration approach.

Dr. Brian Krichman told the board he had raised the same question previously about the Mizner Hotel project and alleged the construction is causing vibrations and damage to "Tower 155," which he described as shored and cracked. He criticized a city staff email that characterized potential damage as "a private matter between property owners" and asked, "Will you commit right now to a stop work order when the sensors in Tower 155 go off and make it a part of the IDA?" Chair Thompson did not commit to a stop-work order at the meeting and said staff would address public requests once public comments concluded.

Frank Patton called for community healing and cooperation, referencing local history and supporting outreach and possible grant-seeking tied to Memorial Day recognition. Diana Cooper, speaking as a parent and community representative, described the softball fields at Memorial Park as "embarrassing" and "unacceptable," and demanded immediate, actionable steps rather than studies or delays. "This cannot wait weeks. This cannot wait months," Cooper said, adding that parents want equitable, safe facilities for girls and expect action "this week."

Chair Thompson told Cooper the topic of Memorial Park and softball fields would be discussed in more detail at the workshop meeting following the CRA session and that staff would follow up on the public requests.

The CRA did not take formal action on the public requests during the CRA meeting; several speakers asked for near-term staff direction and for the council to consider specific responses (including a possible stop-work order tied to sensor data) during subsequent staff follow-up or at the workshop meeting.