Negotiations Over Founders Park Revamp
The baseball field at Islamorada’s Founders Park, long used by the Coral Shores High School baseball program, is at the center of a negotiation between the school district and village officials. Both sides have been exchanging draft language that would reshape the facility while keeping the school’s use secure.
Under a revised agreement, the field would receive artificial turf, new dugouts, a perimeter fence and a low wall. Bleachers, a scoreboard and additional structures were deliberately left out of the current proposal, a decision that has sparked discussion among board members and council participants.
The project carries a $3.8 million price tag and, if both parties sign off, could be finished by January 2027. School board chairman John Dick warned that the village might try to oust the district from the facility, expressing concern that the draft lacks clear maintenance responsibilities.
Cost, Timeline, and Community Concerns
Board member Mindy Conn noted that the original draft called for five‑year terms, which would prevent the board from amortizing its investment, and she called for a public, face‑to‑face meeting with the council. Councilwoman Anna Richards and Vice Mayor Sharon Mahoney said they are willing to attend such a meeting, signaling a willingness to bridge the gap.
The board’s recent changes, including a five‑year advance notice requirement for non‑renewal and a guaranteed maximum price from Keystar Inc., are now awaiting council review. If approved, the upgrades would modernize the field while preserving the school’s long‑standing presence at the park.