The Ocean Strand stretch that straddles A1A on the ocean and Intracoastal is not for sale.
Just to drive that point home and dispel rumors, the site’s owner voted Monday to make a public declaration.
“We continue to hear people are looking at the property. Let’s put a stake in the ground and make it clear,” Greater Boca Raton & Park District Commissioner Robert K. Rollins Jr. said.
“The rumors are not true we want to sell,” added Commissioner Susan Vogelgesang, the board chair.
The district also approved short and long-term plans to open the 15-acre site to the public as a park. “We’ve been emphasizing golf. Now is the time to open it to the public in four to six months,” Commissioner Erin Wright said. She referred to unresolved city approval for the new public golf course design.
“This plan is just for the west side with 20 parking spaces,” added Briann Harms, the district’s executive director. The west side overlooks the Intracoastal.
The district set aside $75,000 for the short-term plan Wright championed. The longer range plan should form a team with the city. The team should “work with the community to preserve the natural beauty and environment,” said Commissioner Craig Ehrnst. “We need input from people who live in and around the area.”
He also wants to wait for the needs assessment survey results the city’s Recreation Services conducted.
“Let’s develop a plan and then engage a professional for the design,” Ehrnst said.
By Marci Shatzman
