Hundreds pack meeting on Old Golf Course
When Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Director Joe Petrella held a meeting on the city’s parks master plan three months ago, seven people showed up.
Thursday, when Petrella asked for public input on what to do with the Old Golf Course, the meeting room at the Public Works building was so crowded he had to hold a second gathering.
The city, looking to transform the Old Golf Course site – dormant for nearly 20 years – into a vibrant park to serve residents, gave those gathered a lesson on the site’s history and its current conditions and asked them how they think the land should be changed and what features and activities they are looking for. Residents can also give input online.
“You’re the people we want to hear from. You’re the neighbors. For the residents nearby and the Friends of Wildlife, we want to get this right and work with all of you to get it right,” Petrella said.
Councilmember Jennifer Nelson-Lastra said she has been listening to residents’ concerns about the site, especially the falling trees and the presence of coyotes. She said sh has also visited the area.
“We saw two coyotes roaming around. Florida Fish & Wildlife will not do anything about (them). They pick up alligators because they have a contract. Coyotes don’t work that way,” Nelson-Lastra said. “We want to hear from you. We want citizens’ input because this is your park, our park.”
Among the things surveyed residents want are trails, conservation areas, fishing piers, indoor fitness center and an outdoor amphitheater.
But there are other ideas. A couple residents at the meeting said they wanted to have the site turned back into a golf course, as it had been a location for major tournaments in the past.
Rick Kampf told Petrella he didn’t want pickleball courts because of the noise they can create with paddles hitting hard plastic balls, as well as the fact there are now courts at Lake Kennedy.
“Even pickleball players say the courts should not be near a residential neighborhood,” Kampf said. “I want green space, swings, see-saws, walking trails and places where everyone can picnic and have a good time.”
Bonita Olesen called the meeting fantastic and thought Petrella seems to know what he’s doing.
“He’s handling this situation correctly. We are not going to end up with another Jaycee Park,” Olesen said. “I want to see green space where people can enjoy it. We don’t need any more indoor fitness centers or pickleball courts. You can ride a bike or walk your pets there.”
Petrella said he was very pleased with how the evening went but regretted not being able to get a bigger venue.
“We have to respect . . . and understand that (residents are) here because they care,” Petrella said. “We’re really happy to have this kind of input. It will help us develop this property to the best of our ability.”
A preliminary master plan is set for mid-December, with a second community meeting to be held early in 2026, when Parks and Recreation personnel will present two conceptual master plans open for comment. A final plan will be presented in mid-February.