Pinecrest will inherit 3 of 4 parks

The soon-to-be village of Pinecrest will have at least three parks under its control, but one of the most popular parks in the area could remain with the county.

Charles Pezoldt, director of the county’s parks department, has recommended that Pinecrest take over Coral Pine, Banyan Drive and Kendall Veterans Wayside parks.

But he wants the county to keep Suniland Park, in southwestern Pinecrest.

That decision may lead to a scuffle between Pinecrest and the county.

Suniland is the only Pinecrest park with lighted ballfields. The eight-acre park has youth and high school baseball programs, youth and adult softball, youth and high school football, youth and adult roller hockey, and youth cheerleading.

Banyan Drive and Kendall Wayside are not developed. Coral Pine has youth and adult tennis, youth baseball and a summer recreation program.

Pezoldt says the county should keep Suniland because the park serves residents from Pinecrest and nearby areas.

“A review of youth program registration records indicates that only 29 percent of the participants are residents of Pinecrest,” Pezoldt wrote in an Oct. 12 memo. “The transfer of Suniland Park to Pinecrest, without replacement of facilities and programs, will seriously diminish the recreational opportunities for those residents located both west and south of the park.”

Gary Matzner, who is on the Pinecrest charter commission, was surprised to hear that the county wants to keep Suniland.

“I’m not sure of the relevance of the fact that people outside of Pinecrest use the park,” he said.

Matzner said the county has let the parks deteriorate through neglect. The area needs a soccer field, he said, and keeping kids in sports deters crime.

“If the county wants to put money into improving Suniland, then it might be financially feasible for Pinecrest,” Matzner said.

The county’s budget for Suniland is $127,500 for 1995-1996. The other three parks’ budgets total $89,630.

Pezoldt also wrote in the memo that the county should receive some compensation for land and development costs for Coral Pine Park. But he did not specify if he meant money.

Matzner strongly disagreed.

“What have we been paying taxes for?” he said.

There also is another possible park site that does not belong to the county: Parrot Jungle.

The aviary wants to leave Pinecrest and move to Watson Island.