POCKET PARKS
Update:
The PDPOA Board of Directors has approved moving forward with construction of two new Pocket Parks at Swing About and Strath Court, with a combined project cost not to exceed $300,000. These thoughtfully designed spaces will transform underused PDPOA-owned property into new amenities for owners while maintaining the natural, residential character of Palmetto Dunes. Swing About Park will offer a peaceful setting with shaded seating and quiet enjoyment, while Strath Court will create a new opportunity to access the community’s 11-mile lagoon system by way of a kayak launch and will include a small owner-exclusive kayak storage area.
Creating More Ways to Enjoy Palmetto Dunes
Pocket Parks are small, thoughtfully designed green spaces that provide quiet places to rest, relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Palmetto Dunes. The goal of the Pocket Park initiative is to transform underused PDPOA-owned properties into attractive community assets while preserving the peaceful, residential character of the surrounding neighborhoods.
Rather than developing one large community park, Pocket Parks provide an opportunity to create smaller amenities in different areas throughout Palmetto Dunes, allowing more property owners to benefit from these spaces close to home.
Designed for Quiet, Passive Use
Pocket Parks are intended to complement the Palmetto Dunes lifestyle. Shaded seating, landscaped pathways and natural areas will provide places for neighbors to take a break during a walk or bike ride, enjoy the outdoors, or spend time with friends and family.
These parks are not intended to serve as event spaces, commercial areas or gathering places for large groups. Their design and use will remain consistent with the quiet character of the surrounding residential areas.
Making Better Use of Community Property
PDPOA owns several properties and common areas throughout Palmetto Dunes that are currently largely unused. The Pocket Park initiative provides an opportunity to make better use of these properties by creating amenities that enhance the community while maintaining significant portions of the sites in their natural state.
By considering multiple smaller locations throughout Palmetto Dunes, PDPOA can create amenities that benefit property owners in different areas of the community rather than concentrating improvements in a single location.
Expanding Access to the Lagoon
Some Pocket Parks can also provide amenities based on the unique characteristics of a particular property.
The proposed Strath Pocket Park is an example. Because well over half of Palmetto Dunes property owners do not have direct lagoon access from their properties, the park is proposed to include a kayak launch and owner-exclusive kayak storage. This would provide more owners with an opportunity to enjoy Palmetto Dunes’ unique 11-mile lagoon system.
Protecting the Natural Environment
Preserving the natural character of each property is an important part of the Pocket Park concept. Existing trees and vegetation will be incorporated into park designs where possible, and native landscaping will be used to create attractive spaces that require minimal watering and maintenance.
Much of the land within the parks will remain in its natural state. Landscaping can also be added where appropriate to provide screening and privacy for neighboring properties.
Small Spaces with Community-Wide Benefits
Pocket Parks are intended to enhance Palmetto Dunes without changing what makes the community special. They provide an opportunity to improve underused property, create new ways for owners to enjoy the outdoors, expand access to unique community resources and add attractive green spaces throughout Palmetto Dunes.
As additional PDPOA-owned properties are evaluated in the future, the Pocket Park concept also provides flexibility to consider other amenities based on the location, size and characteristics of each site.
Pocket park renderings are available for in-person viewing in the PDPOA Conference Room, 16 Queens Folly Rd.
