Implementation Committee discusses spoil islands
The Coconut Grove Implementation Committee met last week, to discuss the waterfront. Some items that were discussed include the Dinner Key Spoil Islands.
Gary Milano from DERM discussed funding opportunities for non profits to help keep the spoil islands clean. The Parks and Facilities Departments are going to work to secure a management agreement with Ransom Everglades, the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and the Rotary Club for Island E improvements and maintenance. A two story viewing platform is on the wish list for Island E.
Shake-A-Leg also needs an amendment to their management agreement to qualify for grant funding for Islands B and C. A swimming area is scheduled for Islands B and C.
The Parks Department will coordinate a meeting for the various summer camps to share usage of these islands. The floating dock needs improved signage to clarify drop off and pick up only with an anchoring diagram.
An Island E floating dock survey, a PowerPoint presentation by Ransom Everglades students and faculty, explored three potential sites for a floating dock. They used a GPS to dive and record depth and sea grass species. An area was deemed the best candidate for the floating dock. The next step is to further define the site, and find funding so they can proceed with design and permitting.
A public pier at Kennedy Park is being discussed. A meeting with Commissioner Sarnoff, Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) Commissioner Spencer Crowley, and City staff determined that the City could not commit funding at this time to build the pier. The FIND grant has a three year window to complete the project, or all funds must be returned. It was suggested that the FIND funds be used for floating docks along the seawall allowing more vessel access to the area.
The FIND Commissioner is exploring if this can be done.
A question arose as to what funding sources are allowed by FIND for the match. The FIND Commissioner will be invited to the next meeting.
The next meeting is Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Ransom Everglades School.
Gary Milano from DERM discussed funding opportunities for non profits to help keep the spoil islands clean. The Parks and Facilities Departments are going to work to secure a management agreement with Ransom Everglades, the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and the Rotary Club for Island E improvements and maintenance. A two story viewing platform is on the wish list for Island E.
Shake-A-Leg also needs an amendment to their management agreement to qualify for grant funding for Islands B and C. A swimming area is scheduled for Islands B and C.
The Parks Department will coordinate a meeting for the various summer camps to share usage of these islands. The floating dock needs improved signage to clarify drop off and pick up only with an anchoring diagram.
An Island E floating dock survey, a PowerPoint presentation by Ransom Everglades students and faculty, explored three potential sites for a floating dock. They used a GPS to dive and record depth and sea grass species. An area was deemed the best candidate for the floating dock. The next step is to further define the site, and find funding so they can proceed with design and permitting.
A public pier at Kennedy Park is being discussed. A meeting with Commissioner Sarnoff, Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) Commissioner Spencer Crowley, and City staff determined that the City could not commit funding at this time to build the pier. The FIND grant has a three year window to complete the project, or all funds must be returned. It was suggested that the FIND funds be used for floating docks along the seawall allowing more vessel access to the area.
The FIND Commissioner is exploring if this can be done.
A question arose as to what funding sources are allowed by FIND for the match. The FIND Commissioner will be invited to the next meeting.
The next meeting is Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Ransom Everglades School.
posted by Tom Falco at 10:30 AM
YOU MAY NOT LIFT THE PHOTOS & TEXT. IT'S COPYRIGHTED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. YOU CAN HOWEVER SHARE A STORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY USING THE LINKS HERE.
For linking to this one story, just click on the time it was posted & just this story will open for sharing - only through social media. Not copying and pasting.
5 Comments:
There has been quite a bit of progress regarding our Grove Islands. (I think it's about time to drop the unpalatable "spoil" term.) They've been protecting the shores with rocks, cleaning with many volunteers, Shake'a'Leg as usual doing great things, and many other. The exclusive Grove Islands look a lot better and are much cleaner than before.
A lot more could be done, though: First get RID of all the invasive species that block our rare and scarce Waterviews: Seaside Mahoes infesting Kennedy Park and the Bayside, for instance. TRIM the overgrown Mangroves at many strategic places, like Peacock Park. Then we could SEE the Islands better. I have dozens of ideas for those exclusive Grove Islands, including a Tiki Bar, Telescopes, Ferrys, Sandy Beaches with Coconut trees and fresh oyster/clams platters, Calypso music, fishing trips, WindSurfing. Sky's the limit.
Carlos iglesia
we (by we, i mean someone not me who has $) should build a driving range out off of kennedy park w/nets to keep the balls out of the water, would be great for drawing $ to the park
A waterfront driving range? I can only imagine what the concurency issues for parking would be, not to mention the cost of liability insurance for the perceived hazards to navigation. However, it would make a nice diversion from the ongoing 3am/5am debate!
Everytime we Kayak out there especially to the island where the house boats are anchored nearest we find used needles and syringes, dog poop etc... This must stop. Lots of kids are out there and this is dangerous stuff.
Carlos, maybe you weren't here yet, but not long after the Katrina/Wilma hurricanes, DERM did remove the invasive species from the spoil islands, and added back natives. If you go to the island with the dock that Shake-a-leg uses, you will see the result. It's really nice. We need the mangroves there. They are the natural protection for our shoreline and for the boats in the marinas from bad storms.
Post a Comment
<< Home