Martin County commissioners unanimously adopted the county's Parks & Recreation Master Plan Dec. 9, approving a 10‑year update that staff and consultants described as the product of extensive public engagement and analysis.

Kevin Abate, Martin County parks and recreation director, said the plan is the culmination of a two‑year effort including focus groups, stakeholder interviews and a statistically valid mailed survey (3,000 addresses, 425 responses). Consultant Art Thatcher of Barry Dunn summarized engagement tools such as an online 'ideas wall', PlacerAI visitation analysis and mailed survey results used to prioritize projects.

Key priorities identified in the plan include trails and neighborhood parks, improved beach‑parking and access, dog parks and expanded special events. Abate said the department currently spends about $17.5 million annually on parks and beaches and has achieved about 53% revenue coverage; the plan seeks to maintain services while expanding capital funding through grants and targeted cost‑recovery measures.

Commissioners asked about enterprise‑funding options and how revenues from revenue‑generating facilities (golf course, cafes, water park) could be reserved for capital; Abate and staff said enterprise treatment exists for some assets (the golf course) and the county tracks revenues by fund while using budget reservations for capital improvements.

Why it matters: The plan frames capital and program priorities for the next decade across 74 parks and beaches, and guides the capital improvement program and grant pursuit. It also includes feasibility studies and potential future projects such as a Pineapple Park pickleball complex and small‑site soccer facilities.

Next steps: The plan was adopted by resolution; staff will incorporate plan projects into the CIP for prioritization and pursue grant opportunities and feasibility studies to refine future phases.

Quote: "We did a statistically valid mailed survey...we got 425," Abate said, describing community engagement that informed priorities.

The board passed the adoption motion unanimously.