News

Plans for park takeover shelved

Jeff Schmucker
Published: November 14, 2012

BROOKSVILLE - Efforts to see city of Brooksville officials take over ownership of Hernando Park from the county could be permanently shelved after planners instead determined it might not be necessary.

Cliff Manuel Jr., chairman of the Vision Foundation stakeholders council, said a better move for city, county and event organizers could be to create an inter-local agreement concerning use and shared expenses of the park.

He said cooperation between the entities and the group, which is so far planning to organize 20-30 events a year, could likely be more beneficial than worrying about park ownership — which both elected officials and the public are divided on.

"I personally believe this would be beneficial while avoiding the pitfalls of a park takeover both financially and in terms of concern from local citizens," Manuel said. "Both the city and county have a vested interest in the park and I don't see any reason to take one entity or the other out of the equation."

Last month, Manuel said he had asked city parks and recreation Director Mike Walker to collect data showing the annual cost to maintain Hernando Park. From there, he wanted to meet with other city advisory groups before bringing the matter of taking over the park before city council — likely sometime in early 2013.

Betty Dobson, a local tennis player who uses the courts at the park, said news that the Vision Foundation would no longer push for a city takeover was welcome.

She and others opposed the Vision Foundation's request earlier this year for the county commission to cede ownership to the city prior to the Blueberry Festival in May.

That opposition came about due to plans to temporarily cover the tennis courts and relocate playground equipment at the park for the festival. At one time, festival organizers were unsure whether the courts would be restored or moved to another location.

"Well, I guess (Manuel) has seen the light. I don't think he would have gotten the votes to transfer the park," Dobson said. "That was our focus to begin with — if they want to use the park, let them follow the same procedures like anybody else does — go sign paperwork, pay fees and get approval while following all the guidelines.

"We don't mind cooperating — as long as they leave our tennis courts alone."

jschmucker@hernandotoday.com (352) 544-5271