Committee hears county park-bond update; timeline points to November decision

The Roadway, Equestrian Trails and Greenway Committee received an update on July 16 about ongoing discussions with county parks staff that could lead to funding for improvements at Loxahatchee Groves Park if a county park bond is approved.

Board liaison Craig Lauer said he and the mayor met with county parks staff, including Sarah Baxter's team, to put the town park on the county's radar for possible inclusion in a park bond package. "If we did get the money, they were going to put some money to the park, and they would ask for our input," Lauer said, noting the county will hold community meetings and solicit local presentations if the bond advances.

Lauer said the county is expected to determine bond eligibility in November; if voters approve the bond, the county would then schedule public hearings and request specific cost and design proposals before allocating funds. Committee members discussed calendaring a follow-up in December and agreed to monitor election results on bond night.

Members asked how allocation would be decided and whether the town would be given a set amount. Lauer said allocations are not predecided: the county would first approve the bond and then work with towns to identify priorities and required budgets.

The committee did not make any formal funding commitments; the update was informational and the next step, if the bond passes, would be county-led outreach to gather the town's preferred park features.

The committee will track the county bond timeline and prepare to provide the county with project priorities and cost estimates if the bond is authorized.