Current Projects

Summer Field Closures

We will implement several planned field closures this summer to accommodate various maintenance renovation projects aimed at conditioning our fields for safety, playability and enjoyment.  Please remember to stay off the fields during scheduled closures or when signage of a closure is posted, even if there is no obvious work being completed. Several of the projects scheduled require ‘field rest’ to be effective, so even if it looks like work is not active, the fields are getting exactly what they need.

Weather permitting, the projects listed below are anticipated to be completed during these field closures:

• May 6 – June 30: Butler Field closed for maintenance and renovation.
• May 13 – June 30: Larry Thoennissen Fields 1 and 2 closed for maintenance and renovation.
• UPDATE: June 24 – July 15: Narramore Softball Field closed for maintenance and renovation.
• July 1 – Sep. 1: Narramore Soccer Fields 2 and 3 closed for maintenance and renovation.
• April 1- Oct. 31: Narramore Soccer Field 1 closed for field prep, soil improvement, laser grading, and sprigging.
• July 1- Sep. 1: Atwater Baseball Fields closed for maintenance and renovation.

Florida weather can be unpredictable and may impact these anticipated project dates. For the most current field status, sign up for the North Port Parks & Recreation Rainout Line or call 941-841-4410 and listen for prompts.

Narramore Soccer Field Rehabilitation

In July of 2021, the City of North Port assumed responsibility for operation and maintaining the Narramore Park Sports Complex. This initiative builds upon Sarasota County’s initial field rehabilitation and replacement plan. The three soccer fields at Narramore Park are set for rehabilitation, with one field undergoing renovations each year for three consecutive years. All field recommended renovations aligns with the direction given by both Sarasota County and Parks & Recreation Athletic Field Specialists.  

Narramore Field 1 will be closed from April 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024. The renovation process for this field will involve removing existing turf and weeds, incorporating sand and soil conditioner, laser grading and installing Bermuda sprigs. These measures are intended to enhance drainage and durability. The field will need to remain closed for approximately six months to allow the Bermuda sprigs to establish a strong root structure.

As a preplanned renovation, the funding for this project is sourced from a Surtax Allocation under Project P24NFR.

We are thrilled to announce that the playground is officially reopened!  We invite you to resume your regular visits to the playground and enjoy the new surface.  

The Boundless Adventures Playground is one of the most popular playgrounds in the North Port park system. Designed to give every child in North Port a location to play with equipment accessible to children of all abilities. The original playground safety surface was installed in 2018 and is now in need of replacement of the top 1.5" of surface due to wear and tear. This project is be funded through the use of Repair & Replacement funds under project P24BPR. 

Boundless Adventure Playground is closed for repairs to the playground surface for June 10 and lasting for several weeks.  We will continue to post updates and a projected re-open date when one becomes available. 

Marina Park is a highly utilized specialty park that connects boaters in North Port to the Myakka River via the Myakkahatchee Creek.  The Marina Park Restroom project will provide a new permanent restroom facility and ADA parking enhancements to better meet the needs of local anglers and water recreation enthusiasts. The project budget is $250,000 funded primarily through a Surtax allocation and some park impact fees.

This project is now underway.

During the construction period, efforts will be made to minimize disruptions to park visitors, though some temporary inconveniences may be experienced. To facilitate the project, the parking will be closed off on June 4 and June 5. Traffic using Kenwood Drive will be diverted through the Park drive isles on June 6 and June 7.  This will allow the Contractor to make necessary connections to the utilities needed to serve the new restroom.

UPDATE: 6/28/24: The restroom building is tentatively scheduled to arrive the week of July 8.  A small crane will be onsite to assist with installment.
UPDATE: 7/2/24: Team is anticipating the pouring the building ramp on Friday 7/12, Monday 7/15 or 7/16, weather permitting.  Please note: the connector road adjacent to Kenwood will be blocked and traffic will be re-routed through the park for a short time during this work. 

The team anticipates opening the new restroom this summer, at which point a celebration will be scheduled.

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Resurfacing of the sports courts at Highland Ridge Park is currently part of the Parks & Recreation Fiscal Year 2024 adopted budget.   Annually the Parks Maintenance team inspects the sports courts throughout the parks system and identifies which courts are next in line for resurfacing. For fiscal year 2024, the courts at Highland Ridge Park were identified and the contractor will complete the resurfacing of two (2) basketball courts, one (1) tennis court and six (6) pickleball courts. 

The vendor is scheduled to begin resurfacing all courts on July 1 and expects this project to last several weeks to complete. During this project the courts will be closed for use. 

This project uses an allocation from the General Fund in the amount of $45,000.

ADA Transition Plan

The Parks & Recreation Department has completed an ADA evaluation of several park and facility locations with the assistance of ACT Services, Inc. Following this evaluation, recommendations for physical improvements to enhance the accessibility of the City’s parks and facilities have been compiled into a phased transition plan.

The ADA transition plan outlines a phased approach to implementing physical improvements, repairs, and adjustments to eliminate barriers to accessing parks and facilities. In FY24, the focus is on continuing the implementation of accessible routes at Dallas White Park. The new paths will connect the parking area to the redesigned multi-purpose field, as well as to the new playground and volleyball court area, including seating areas.

This project is funded through a Surtax allocation and is part of an existing Capital Improvement Project; Project # GM20AT.

Multi-purpose Field

The City will repurpose the existing softball field, turning it into a much needed multi-purpose field. The space will be converted into a maximum-size soccer field, along with a layout for smaller fields suitable for youth players. The primary use of the field will be for soccer, but it will also accommodate football and flag football.  

 The entire field will be fenced with a 6-foot-high galvanized metal fence, including appropriate gates for access from Sam Shapos Way. This field renovation will not impact the existing Scout House. Project #P24DWF

Temporary Maintenance Facility

Temporary Park Maintenance facility is being installed at Dallas White Park, which will establish much needed temporary operational facilities after the permanent facility on Pan American Blvd. was severely damaged during Hurricane Ian.  Key components of the project include the placement of a temporary trailer to serve as administrative offices, along with associated infrastructure improvements. These improvements will provide designated space for maintenance operations, including workshop and secured storage for equipment, vehicles and supplies. In addition to the main project area, a portion of the parking lot that serves the park off Greenwood Avenue will be closed to public access and marked with construction fencing.  Access to the park’s amenities such as pavilion, playground, courts, and boat ramps will remain open to public access throughout the construction period.

Additionally, the Scout House, Fire Station 82, Utilities Temporary Administration, and the North Port Art Center will remain accessible as per established operations/schedules. Park patrons are encouraged to utilize the parking lot located off Sam Shapos Way for convenient access to Dallas White Park during this period.  

This project is currently underway and is expected to run through November 2024. Project #P23DWM

About the Project

On March 23, 2021, Resolution 2021-R-17 was adopted by City Commission establishing the Veterans Park Advisory Committee to make recommendations regarding the new Veterans Park at North Port City Center. During the June 28, 2022 City Commission Regular meeting, approval was provided to name the site Circle of Honor based on submissions provided by the Veterans Park Advisory Committee. The FY22 Capital Improvement Program includes project #P21VET funded with $1M from Parks and Recreation Impact Fees to support design and construction of the site which will honor Veterans of all U.S. Military forces, past, present and future.

Location

The Circle of Honor will be located within the North Port City Center Complex, per the map below.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Are you interested in sponsoring an amenity for this project? Contact Kimberly Lencki, Community Partnership & Engagement Manager, at 941-429-7143 or email KLencki@NorthPortFL.gov to discuss.

The City of North Port’s park system received significant damage as a result of Hurricane Ian. There are currently 30 separate work assignments that were identified by the City’s insurance adjuster and FEMA inspector’s damage assessments. They have been awarded to address needed repairs and replacements across all City parks and facilities. Work assignments are issued as part of a competitive bid process that secured qualified contractors for the City. These work assignments are strategically grouped by locations, and were awarded to multiple contractors, who are thoroughly assessing conditions and providing guaranteed maximum price (GMP) proposals for each work assignment. Once the City receives and reviews the GMP, funding for the repairs or replacements must be identified and a budget amendment requested through the City’s Finance Department and presented for City Commission approval. Upon securing the necessary funding, the City then prepares a contract amendment that requires review and approval of the City Attorney’s office and then is presented for City Commission final approval. After the contract amendment is approved, the repairs or replacements are then scheduled for completion. While this is a lengthy process, all steps are necessary to ensure the City is in a position to receive maximum reimbursement through insurance and FEMA.

NOTE: The July 9 Commission meeting will tentatively include agenda items related to construction services contracts with Jon F. Swift for the following Hurricane Ian repairs:

• Morgan Family Community Center, including replacement gym floor. 
• North Port Aquatic Center
• Butler Park Kayak Launch
• Blue Ridge Park Kayak Launch

Morgan Family Community Center - Gymnasium repairs

• Agenda Item - Resolution No. 2024-R-05 Rental of AC Units, Generators, and Fuel(PDF, 87KB)
• Gymnasium Flooring Update - Feb. 14, 2024(PDF, 405KB)
• Gymnasium Access for Summer Camp - March 12, 2024(PDF, 454KB)
• Gymnasium - Storm Repairs Update - May 6, 2024(PDF, 559KB)

In response to a request from Parks & Recreation Department, the State of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has granted signage to be placed in three (3) locations on I-75 to show the location of the North Port Aquatic Center.   

The first sign has been installed at the I-75 southbound off ramp at Sumter Blvd. 

Signage to be installed:

• Large Southbound
• Large Northbound
• Northbound exit signage

We would like to thank the FDOT for the consideration and implementation of these signs at no fee to the city based on the annual attendance at this location.

The City of North Port has created a Parks and Recreation Master Plan(PDF, 12MB) that consists of a comprehensive analysis of the entire City parks and recreation system and provides recommendations for the future delivery of services over the next 10 years.

The project to create the Master Plan started in May 2015 in conjunction with Sarasota County’s efforts to create a countywide Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The two plans, although different, tie into each other. North Port’s plan, however, is distinctly for the North Port community. On April 26, 2016, the City Commission accepted the Parks & Recreation Master Plan for the City of North Port as a work product. On January 9, 2018, the City Commission approved the Master Plan with changes. View the final Parks and Recreation Master Plan(PDF, 12MB).

For more information, contact the City’s Parks and Recreation Department at (941) 429-PARK(7275).

Parks & Recreation Master Plan Appendices

• Appendix A - Statistically Valid Survey(PDF, 2MB)
• Appendix B - Online Survey Results(PDF, 186KB)
• Appendix C - 2006 Parks & Recreation Master Plan(PDF, 47MB)
• Appendix D - 2007 Myakkahatchee Creek Greenway Plan(PDF, 29MB)
• Appendix E - 2008 Dallas White Park Final Report(PDF, 9MB)
• Appendix F - 2010 Aquatic Facility Master Plan(PDF, 17MB)  
• Appendix G - 2010 Creek & Canal Master Plan(PDF, 12MB)
• Appendix H - Strategic Plan(PDF, 2MB)
• Appendix I - Parks & Recreation Mission and Vision(PDF, 133KB)