Sprucing up Ocala

Decorative landscape pots can be seen around downtown Ocala and a budget proposal would introduce them into the Central Business District. [Becky Collazo/Ocala Gazette file photo]

The city of Ocala’s proposed parks and recreation budget for the coming fiscal year includes new beautification efforts downtown, educational initiatives and facility upgrades, along with fee adjustments to help cover rising operational costs.

At a budget workshop held Aug. 12, at City Hall, Budget Director Tammi Haslam said the department is requesting funds to construct dedicated pickleball courts at Jervey Gantt and Clyatt parks, resurface the pool deck at Jervey Gantt, add new bleachers at the E.D. Croskey Recreation Center and complete projects at the Ocala Golf Club to improve and preserve the course. If approved, construction of the pickleball courts is expected to be completed by June 2026.

Recreation and Parks Director Julie Johnson said $20,000 is allocated for decorative landscape pots to extend beautification efforts from Fort King Street to Southeast Second Street and north to Northeast Fifth Street. The planters will soften hardscape areas, improve storefront aesthetics and make the Central Business District more inviting for patrons and potential business owners, she said.

“Continued improvements in the Central Business District will attract new businesses, create a vibrant downtown and make a positive economic impact,” Johnson said.

The budget also designates $18,840 for 11 interpretive signs highlighting regional biodiversity. According to Johnson, locations were chosen for their ecological significance.

“Tuscawilla Park was chosen due to the migratory bird species that visit during their seasonal journey. Heritage Nature Conservancy, a nature-based property, was chosen due to the diverse wildlife species that inhabit the park. The signs will showcase their roles in Ocala’s natural ecosystem,” she continued.

Johnson said the signs will “foster a deeper connection to Ocala’s environment, encourage stewardship of our local habitats and promote Ocala as a destination that values and protects its natural heritage.”

The proposed changes also include fee adjustments. Special event permit fees would double from $50 to $100 for minor events and $150 to $250 for major events, with a new $50 application fee. Costs for electric, labor, trash cans and athletic field rentals would also rise, and a $50 fine for feeding wildlife would be introduced.

Johnson said the increases help offset rising operational costs, which have grown since the last fee adjustment in 2012.

Several things prompted the instatement of the $50 fine for feeding wildlife, Johnson noted.

“Feeding wildlife is an on-going problem and has numerous negative effects on the animal. I’ll touch on a couple. It is very unhealthy for the animal since most of what they are fed is not what nature intended to be their diet. Feeding wildlife results in losing the fear of people, creating ‘beggars’ at picnic sites, which can result in making the animal aggressive toward people. For the last 15 years, in an effort to stop this practice, we have implemented educational programs using signage, printed handouts, programs, stickers, conversations with patrons and marketing,” she said.

Despite these efforts, Johnson says the department has had little success.

“Having the fine in place does not include the approval to issue citations. At this time, we have no plans to issue citations,” she said.

Johnson emphasized that the department does not rely heavily on state funds, grants or fee revenue, with fees covering less than 6% of operational costs.

“When addressing fees, we keep in mind and consider the ability of patrons to pay,” she said.

For more information, visit ocalafl.gov/government/city-departments-i-z/recreation-parks