Coconut Creek approves Oak Trails Park expansion and Sample Road multiuse path; grants, timelines set

The Coconut Creek City Commission on May 28 approved two major capital projects: a contract to expand Oak Trails Park and a separate agreement to build a multiuse path along Sample Road.

The Oak Trails Park contract (Resolution 2026-078) will renovate a single-family house into a nature center with a public classroom, restrooms, interpretive kiosks, about a half-mile of connecting sidewalk, picnic and exercise areas and one acre of preserved natural area. City staff said the project is supported by a $1.1 million Florida Communities Trust grant and that the construction contract on the agenda totaled roughly $2.8 million; staff said the grant will offset part of that cost and that remaining funds will be managed in the city’s capital plan. “We received $1.1 million to help offset some of the costs,” a Public Works presenter said during the presentation.

Commissioners discussed park amenities and potential future additions. Vice Mayor John Brody suggested adding a small dog park to serve residents in the north side of the city; Brody said long travel times to the nearest dog park are a concern. “Maybe putting a smaller type dog park in here,” he said. Commissioner Rardell cautioned that the Oak Trails site is intended as a passive, nature-oriented park surrounded by equestrian uses and said nearby residents, particularly in rural and equestrian neighborhoods, had not supported a dog park at this location.

City staff and the consulting team described required grant conditions for the FCT award, including a public classroom and a target of LEED certification for the renovated building. The project’s preconstruction meeting was described as likely in July, with a construction window of about 365 days.

The commission also approved Resolution 2026-070, authorizing an agreement with NASA Corp. for a multiuse path along the south side of Sample Road from Lions Road to the entrance of Tradewinds Park. Utilities and engineering presenter Osama said the path will be about 10 feet wide and roughly 4,000 linear feet; the low responsive bid was $965,000 and the project will be funded with transportation surtax (certax) funds. “This is a project that came at $965,000 and it is below budget and it is funded by certax money that was applied for a few years back,” Osama said, adding the city expects to begin preconstruction in the weeks after contract execution.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 2026-078 (Oak Trails Park expansion, Sagaras/Sagaras Corporation): approved (motion moved and seconded; roll call recorded as yes by all voting commissioners).
- Resolution 2026-070 (Sample Road multiuse path, NASA Corp.): approved (motion moved and seconded; roll call recorded as yes by all voting commissioners).
- Resolution 2026-072 (surtax funding agreement for design work): approved.

Why it matters
The Oak Trails expansion will add programmed nature and recreation amenities in the city’s north area and uses an FCT grant that requires conservation and public-education components. The Sample Road path will fill a gap in active-transportation infrastructure connecting to Tradewinds Park and will be paid from voter-authorized surtax transportation funds, avoiding general-fund impacts.

What’s next
Staff said preconstruction for both projects is likely in July, with construction schedules of roughly one year for major elements. City staff will manage grant compliance, LEED/green building targets for the nature center and standard contract oversight.