Item K16
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: March 21-22.2001
Division:
BOCC
Bulk Item: Yes No X Department: District Five
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Conceptual approval for the following upgrades at Harry
Harris Park. (see attached list)
ITEM BACKGROUND: Harry Harris Park has had over the years, an increasing number
of visitors. This has resulted in an increasing number of complaints. The homeowners
association has made recommendations to improve this situation. (Letters attached)
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
TOTAL COST:
BUDGETED: Yes
No
COST TO COUNTY:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes_ No AMT. PER MONTH
YEAR
APPROVED BY: County Attomey_ OMB/Ptirchasing_ Risk Mgt.
DIVISION DIRECTOR APPROVAL: mAA~ 7-L_~~
Murray E. Nelson. Commissioner
DOCUMENTATION: Included X
To Follow
Not Required.
DISPOSITION:
AGENDA ITEM #
fI
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR UPGRADES AT HARRY HARRIS PARK,
TAVERNIER
1. Install additional window in gatekeepers enclosure.
2. Install phone in gatekeeper's enclosure.
3. Require gatekeeper to make hourly drives through the park.
4. Post a sign stating park rules. '
5. Align the entrance gate with the street.
6. Add three speed bumps between the boat ramp and ball fields.
7. Post the entire park to 5 miles per hour.
8. Upgrade restrooms to code.
9. Change the entrance fee to $10.00 for non-residents
10. Limit the boat ramp to boats no longer than 25 feet.
11. Change the park opening to 8:00 a.m. and limit operation of motorized equipment to
that hour.
12. Create a dog walk area using the north pedestrian gate.
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h~iS-Par4: Nei&h6~rhood Association
38 East Beach Road
Tavernier, Florida 33070
March 6, 2001
President
Mary Wilkinson
Vice President
Robert Forster
Secretary
Rosemary Olds
Treasury
Katy Yates
TRUSTEES
Ruth Hindelang
Jane Wulle
Art Baker
Jerry Wilkinson
~
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Mayor George Neugent
Commissioner Murray Nelson
Commissioner Sonny McCoy
Commissioner Dixie Spehar
Commissioner Nora Williams
Sheriff Richard Roth
County Administrator James Robt:rts
County Attorney James Hendrick
Dear Monroe County officials:
In past years we have witnessed the operation and safety of Harry Harris
Park (HHP) continually decline. Continued county growth, development of
previous vacant water front properties, increased tourist advertising, large signs
on highway US 1 and removal of personal watercraft prohibition have exceeded
the carry capacity ofHHP. One problem and the greatest threat to safety is lack of
law (ordinance) enforcement and supervision (none). For example, use of alcohol
(rampant), glass containers (rampant), rule enforcement (not existing), excessive
noise, speeding (speed bumps will control), abusive language, unleashed dogs,
altercations, unauthorized vehicles, air pollution, blocking traffic (intersections
and driveways), ocean activities without diver-down flags, littering, disturbing the
peace, unsafe boat operation, use after hours and overnight parking.
We believe we are entitled to constitutional life and pursuit of happiness.
It is not our duty to pay taxes and police the surrounding area other than volunteer
crime watch and responsible citizenship.
During the course of one hour on busy weekends, activities a~ Harr)' Harris
Park breach every element of public, attractive and common nuisance laws with
the addition of endangering life or health, offenses to the senses, laws of decency,
obstruction of reasonable and comfortable use of property, and pursuit of happiness.
We realize the perceived importance of the park; however, we also
perceive that it only serves about one tenth of one percent of the total resident
population. Much of the park's costs are born by the Tourist Development
Council (TDC) and it is the only county public boat launching facility in the
Upper Keys; therefore serves as a quasi-commercial recreation area with the
exception of the ball diamonds. In general, two of the park's boundaries are
contiguous to IS zoned properties with zero buffer area. In recent years, HHP has
been budgeted zero dollars.
The park is about a mile away from highway US I and has little ambient
noise and air pollution (except for the park). Predominately onshore winds carries
Page I of2
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sounds (loud music, cheering, screaming, screeching tires, testing motors, personal water craft, boats);
fumes (outboard motors, heavy equipment and excessive barbecue lighter fluid) and associated odors,
etc. into the surrounding residences who prefer to exist without air conditioning. This is our right and il>
practiced conservation of resources.
The density and multiplicity of uses for multi-recreation and sports activities such as baseball,
softball, basketball, soccer, boat launching, fishing, snorkeling, personal water craft, motorized and
non-motorized boating, kiddy park, walking, bicycling, jogging, picnicking, sunbathing, pool and ocean
swim activities, parties and all sorts of gatherings far exceed the infrastructure, personnel, supervision
and law enforcement presently provided. It is generally believed that it is the park-use by non-residents
or non-accompanied guests of residents on weekends that degrade the park's functionality for area
residents and other Monroe County residents and this creates the mixed nuisances for nearby area
residents.
Many of the problems would be resolved with the actual elimination of alcohol and drugs, a
cordoned off swim area (as at Sombrero Beach), actual rule/law enforcement and reasonable density
restrictions. Any public gathering of 200 to 800 people in a confined area should have supervision. All
non-resident facility user fees (an average of $500/day) should be dedicated for Harry Harris Park (not
the placed in the general fund) use and would support much of this performance. Use of full time
additional personnel could be relaxed and supported with effective patrols on inclement weather days.
Some county facilities are provided adequate rest rooms and full time law and safety officers. As a
high-use regional park this area needs equal protection on weekends and holidays.
Recently, the county requested TDC DAC 5 for $50,000 for a study for HHP enhancement. The
Post Buckley plan paid for in 1987 was an absolute farce. The following is provided without charge:
1. The simple redesign of the gate attendant station to an open structure for 360-degree use of
sight and hearing senses with a competent attendant with authority and a telephone (many offenses
occur within sight or hearing distance of this station) would be a good beginning. Further, recommend
the entire entrance area be redesigned so the entrance gates align with the street lanes.
2. Change the park's name to Harry Harris County Resident Park. The FDOT signs on US 1
should either be removed or changed to read Harry Harris County Resident Park.
3. The park and the boat ramp should be limited to boats no longer than 25 feet.
4. Park rules must be developed, posted, readable, enforceable and enforced.
5. The addition of three small speed bumps with a 5 MPH speed limit between the boat ramp
and the ball diamonds would self-enforce safety in that area.
6. The extremely inadequate and often inoperative restroom facilities almost assure unhealthy
hygiene practices on land and in the waters. Completely upgrad~ the facility to code.
. 7. Sponsors of organized athletic events should be charged with and enforced for the control
and enforcement of all the event activities and denied access upon infraction. This includes morning
events which are often worse than night events.
8. The park's opening hours should be changed to 0800 hours and operation of motorized
equipment not authorized before this hour.
9. Limit, monitor and control number of park users (density) on weekends.
10. A dog walk area entering through the north pedestrian gate until 10 A.M.
Sincerely,
~~W~
Mary Lou Wilkinson
.den
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
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On Sunday, February 25, 2001, I walked over to Harry Harris Park to attend the monthly
Crime Watch and Neighborhood Association Meeting. Upon entering the park, I noticed
a party going on in the playground and picnic area by the tidal pool. It was quite obvious
that alcohol was being served as people were drinking beer and there were bottles (glass)
everywhere. In fact one of the party goers held his beer bottle up as if to salute me and
say "Who gives a care about the ordinances!" . Well, I am writing this letter because I
care about the ordinances and I believe in following the rules. Signs are posted on the
entrance to the park which clearly state that alcohol is prohibited, as well as glass
containers.
When the meeting was over, I returned home and witnessed a drunken brawl that had
spilled over from that wild party in the park. It was frightening and appalling to see
adults physically beating each other up, and hearing such threats and filthy language.
There was so much anger and rage involved, along with the alcohol, that who knew if
someone might be seriously injured? I felt there was a safety factor her~ being
threatened. I might add, it took four patrol cars on the scene to put an end to this
disturbance. Why is this peaceful neighborhood subjected to this type of behavior? Why
is alcohol allowed in the park?
There is also another ordinance that has recently appeared on the front gate to the park
which states, "No dogs allowed". So far, this is the only ordinance that is being enforced.
I would like to know why the p'eople who walk their dogs (on leashes) are being targeted,
most of whom are senior citizens and cause no problems. Is this fair?
Who can give me straight answers?
na 1 en
102 Dove Lake Drive
Tavernier, FL 33070
Copies to: Park Supervisor
County Commissioners
Sheriff Roth
The Reporter
Free Press