TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR HARRY HARRIS PARK RESILIENT REDESIGN REVIEW

​TAVERNIER, FL – Monroe County will hold two public workshops for feedback on potential redesign efforts for the Harry Harris Park in Tavernier to make it more resilient and improve overall use.  Harry Harris Park is a pet-friendly, oceanfront public park vulnerable to sea-level rise, storm events, and overall flood risk. The park’s amenities include two ball fields, a boat ramp, a playground, a beach area, restroom facilities, and Wilkinson Point. The park also has pavilions, barbecues, picnic tables, a basketball court, and a protected swimming area. This project aims to protect the park and enhance its resiliency and overall community benefit.

• Meeting #1 will be held on Tuesday, April 9, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Harry Harris Park Pavilion, 50 E Beach Rd, Tavernier.
• Meeting #2 will be held on Tuesday, April 30, from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Murray E. Nelson Building, 102050 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo. A virtual link will also be available.

Monroe County staff has been working on design concepts to make the park more resilient following damage after Hurricane Irma in 2017. Several design concepts are being evaluated, such as:

• Rebuilding the swimming area jetty with engineered armor stone
• Replacing/improving revetments near the boat ramp and along Wilkinson Point
• Addition of a resilient boardwalk along the water’s edge
• Flood-proofing of new lighting or electrical systems added
• Replacing impervious surfaces with pervious or semi-pervious pavements
• Fortify the shoreline adjacent to the boat ramp and tie into the swimming area jetty and Wilkinson Point structures on either side
• Elevate structures upon the end of useful life or need for major repairs
• Extend and improve walkways on the north end of the park and provide play pods or exercise stations along improved walkways
• Additional trees and/or native vegetation planting areas

The community is invited to attend one or both of the public workshops to provide feedback on the design concepts the County has developed or bring new ideas,” said Monroe County Chief Resilience Officer Rhonda Haag. “We want to hear from the community about this critical project to protect and improve Harry Harris Park.”
 
Visit www.monroecounty-fl.gov/calendar for meeting information.

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