Town Turns to Residents to Help Name Three Parks

Friday is the deadline to add to about 190 suggestions submitted since early January to rename three town parks.

"Applicants should consider the park's history, use and location in making their suggestion," said Kate Moretto, the town's community relations manager.

After the deadline, town officials plan to reduce the suggestions to a handful of possibilities for each of the three parks.

Those suggestions will be placed on the town's website for residents to vote on their favorites in April and May.

A final decision, subject to town council approval, is expected to be announced in June, Moretto said.

Submitting suggestions and voting are not limited to Jupiter residents. Applicants can submit more than once, said Moretto, who said she has not seen any of the suggestions.

The three parks vary in size from a single-acre park underneath Indiantown Road to a 24-acre park in Abacoa that has lighted ballfields and is planned for future expansion of more athletic fields.

The goal of allowing the public to participate in the renaming is to create more local resident participation, Moretto said.

"We're encouraging a sense of community," she said.

To suggest a park name or for information, go to jupiter.fl.us.

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NAME THESE PARKS

Open space next to Cinquez Park: The 13-acre property at Indiantown Road and Center Street, across from Wal-Mart, was recently cleared of non-native plants. The existing lake is scheduled to be preserved. A dog park, children's playground, walking trails and wetlands are planned.

Riverwalk Events Plaza: The town obtained a 30-year lease from the Florida Department of Transportation to build the 1-acre plaza, under the Indiantown Road bridge west of U.S. 1 and east of the Intracoastal Waterway, that is connected with the Jupiter Riverwalk. Since opening in 2006, events such as Harvest Fest, Holiday Boat Parade, Jazz and Art, and EcoFest have been held at the plaza.

South Jupiter Community Park in Abacoa: The 24-acre park has basketball courts, roller hockey rinks, a playground, racquetball courts, restrooms, a skate park and clay-surface tennis courts. Four lighted multipurpose athletic fields are scheduled for 2015. Plans call for the multipurpose fields to be the home to Jupiter Tequesta Athletic Association youth sports such as soccer, lacrosse and football. Jupiter's adult flag football and soccer leagues also plan to use the fields. The fields will be open to the public when there are no scheduled activities.