By Agrippina Fadel
Caporella Park in Tamarac is getting a makeover.
Located at 5200 Prospect Rd, the park will be adding a new amphitheater, a non-motorized boat launch, and a large splash pad.
Approved on Oct. 27, the enhancement project will “freshen up” the nine-acre park first developed in 1979.
Greg Warner, director of Parks and Recreation, said that the park, with its large lake, fishing dock, walking paths, picnic shelter, and a small playground, needed additional amenities.
According to Warner, the city asked residents’ opinions on the project and took time choosing the right construction company. In the end, they chose MBR Construction Inc., the same contractor that worked on Deerfield Beach Sullivan Park and Tamarac Waters Edge Park.
The design for Caporella includes native landscaping, a six-foot-wide multi-use path, and a consolidated shade-covered fitness area. A new building will house both the restrooms and a concession stand.
A larger picnic shelter and a non-motorized boat launch will accommodate families and athletes with kayaks, canoes, and standup paddleboards. Six new parking spots are planned, and the park will be equipped with security cameras and wifi.
Warner said a big splash pad with a covered beach area would be similar to the Waters Edge Park.
“The amphitheater has a unique design and will sit half on land and half out on the water. The cover will be made from the material that can withstand 170 miles per hour winds, so we won’t have to take it down during the storms,” he added.
The budget is set for $4.4 million with a 10% contingency. The city will use $50,000 provided by the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program, with the rest of the cost allocated from the Capital Improvement Program budget.
Construction starts in the summer of 2022 and will be completed by spring 2023.
Commissioner Marlon Bolton said the residents of his district are very happy and excited about the park reconstruction but urged the contractor to stay within the budget.
Mayor Michelle Gomez asked if there could be a paddleboat stand or a kayak rental at the park in the future. Warner said it was too early to predict residents’ interest in it but that local vendors offering rentals have already reached out to his department.
“It is a great project,” said Gomez, asking both the contractor and Warner to work with the community and give residents enough notice about the construction and possible noise.
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