The Indian Trail Improvement District (ITID) Parks Department manages 9 parks and Hamlin House, providing a variety of amenities including playgrounds, tennis, volleyball, and racquetball courts, football and baseball fields, multi-purpose fields, heart-healthy trails, pavilions, and restrooms. Acreage Community Park South also features an amphitheater, running track, walking paths, an equestrian trail and the Garden of Hope. The District has service provider agreements with local non-profit organizations: the Acreage Athletic League, which offers sports programs, The Garden of Hope and the Acreage Landowners Association, which organizes community events.
ITID has made significant progress in enhancing park facilities over the past eight years, and there is a clear vision for the future.
Accomplishments Over the Past 8 Years:
- Phase I Expansion of Acreage Community Park South: Successfully completed, adding more recreational space and facilities.
- Annual Park Upgrades: ITID has committed to budgeting for playground equipment replacements and major park upgrades each year. Recent upgrades include:
- Citrus Grove Park: New playground equipment.
- Sycamore Park: New playground equipment and shade sail.
- Temple Park: New playground equipment and relocation of volleyball field
- Coconut Park: The pier was completely rebuilt.
- Acreage Community Park North: has undergone a major overhaul, resulting in significant improvements. The playground equipment was replaced, the fields were completely redone, and the park’s drainage and electrical systems were upgraded. Additionally, the scoreboards were repaired, and the baseball fields were renovated. However, lighting throughout the park remains an issue and will require future upgrades to fully meet the park’s needs.
- Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park: Major improvements included replacing the footing and fencing in the main arena, expanding the barrel arena to regulation size, and updating the round pen. ADA-compliant pathways were installed, and the east arena was upgraded. Pavilions were replaced with new structures.
Vision for the Future of Parks:
- Securing Grants and Funding: The District should continue applying for state grants and appropriations to fund park improvements, with a focus on installing more shade sails and making ADA upgrades across all parks.
- Phase II Expansion of Acreage Community Park South: Approved and funded, with $1.8 million allocated from the County infrastructure sales tax fund for replacing the South multi-purpose field. The project will include an equestrian trailhead, additional parking, a new multi-purpose field, and the relocation of the skate park.
- Upgrades to Acreage Community Park North: Renovation of the press box is needed to support the Acreage Athletic League’s programming, along with upgrading the concession stand, electrical systems, and foundation repairs.
- Supporting Non-Profit Agreements: The District should continue its historic service provider agreements with the Acreage Athletic League and Acreage Landowners Association to manage sports and community events, allowing ITID to focus its resources on core responsibilities like drainage and roads.
- Ownership of Acreage Community Park South: ITID should pursue ownership of this property to secure its long-term use for the community.
- Developing Fields at Other Parks: Citrus Grove Community Park and Sycamore Park should see the creation or improvement of fields to provide more open play areas for the community.
This vision ensures that ITID’s parks continue to serve the recreational needs of the community while focusing on responsible investment in infrastructure and improvements.
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