Improvements implemented on basis of community comments, city Parks and Recreation director says
Members of the public are invited to attend a Dec. 14 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Avion Park, which stands at 436 N. Pompano Drive, the City of Sarasota has announced.
The event will be held at 1 p.m. that Saturday, a news release notes.
Designed on the basis of community comments, Avion Park “sports a brand-new basketball court, playground, swings, covered picnic area, butterfly garden, and more,” the release adds.
“Located in the heart of the Avion Park neighborhood near Tuttle Elementary, Ed Smith Stadium, and the Sarasota Fairgrounds, Avion Park provides a much-needed enhanced outdoor recreation space within walking distance of children and families in the surrounding area,” the release points out.
“We are grateful to have been able to take Avion Park from groundbreaking to ribbon cutting in just six months despite this summer’s very active hurricane season,” said Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle in the release. “Thank you to the community for their input and support, our contractors for their hard work, the [city’s] Development Services Department for their assistance with the permitting process, and the Office of Housing and Community Development for their help in securing additional funding for this park,” he added in the release. “We couldn’t have brought this park to life without them.”
The ceremony will feature not only the formal ribbon cutting but also speakers and complimentary refreshments, the release continues. “With cool temperatures and clear skies in the forecast, the community is encouraged to take advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoy Avion Park!” the release says.
“The $733,000 improvement project was funded by the voter-approved Penny Sales Tax III, Park Impact Fees, and Community Development Block Grant funding secured by the Office of Housing and Community Development,” the release adds.
For more information on City parks and upcoming events, visit letsplaysarasota.com.