Cape Coral City Council members, city officials and project managers break ground for the city’s new Tropicana Park project. CJ HADDAD

A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday for another Cape Coral park to be redeveloped, this one in the northwest section of the city.

The dirt was tossed to signify the start of constriction at Tropicana Park, which will provide residents waterfront access for recreational purposes and non-motorized boats. Amenities at the park at 4101 Tropicana Parkway, include a beach area, water access points, launch docks, a boat tie-up dock, and an accessible kayak launch. Other amenities will include an observation pavilion, playground, walking paths with fitness stations, parking, and restrooms.

Cost has been estimated at $3.78 million with completion anticipated for winter 2025/2026.

“We finally made it,” said District 6 Cape Coral City Councilmember Keith Long. “I’m proud to say this is the final GO Bond park groundbreaking that we have in this district, and what a journey it’s been.”

Long said he recalled seeing the signage for the park back in early 2019, and said he is just as eager as all of the residents in the district to see the project come to fruition.

“I’m proud of the work that this team’s done,” Long said. “To jump through seemingly endless obstacles to get here today, from permitting to COVID and everything in-between. To be able to bring truly what we think is a transformational park to this area that’s been underserved by way of amenities for a long time.”

Cape Coral City Council approved the park’s resolution at the Oct. 30, 2024 meeting, awarding a contract to Burke Construction Group, Inc. for the Neighborhood Park Improvements at Tropicana Park. Officials said while the city is dedicated to fulfilling the project as planned, it is no longer being funded by the Parks GO Bond “due to unexpected increases in costs.”

Parks and Recreation Director Joe Petrella said it’s great to see park projects spring up all around the city to serve all residents in all areas.

“It’s something special,” Petrella said of all of the park projects Cape Coral has launched in recent years. “It’s new and exciting for the community. I think the biggest thing (for residents to look forward to at Tropicana Park) is the access to the (Spreader Canals) with kayaks and rowing. And also having a nice park to walk in, pavilions for picnics, and the playground for the children is going to be amazing.”

Petrella said these groundbreakings are part of the city’s vision to improve quality of life for residents, with more projects coming to the north Cape especially. Petrella added that updates to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan are beginning in 2025.

“It’s where we want to go,” he said. “Talking with the city manager and city council, they want to build out on the green space.

“Parks and recreation have long been considered essential for the welfare of individuals, as well as the vitality of both communities and neighborhoods. Outdoor recreational spaces such as (Tropicana Park) improve the environment, provide community engagement, learning opportunities, economic value, health benefits, tourism, and much more. Parks also play an integral part and role in preserving the health of the environment, protecting wildlife, and replenishing groundwater. This park will do all of those things.”

Chief Operating Officer of Burke Construction Group, Gil Nehamkin, said it’s been a pleasure to work with the city on the project, noting that those they work with within the city give them the desire to go above and beyond on the job.

“You really want to do a good job for them,” he said. “It’s not just another project. We really want to do a good job.”

Burke Construction Group is also constructing Festival Park, a new 200-acre park at 1030 Northwest 28th Street near Seahawk Park that broke ground in July. The first phase, to include sports fields and other infrastucture need for a planned amphitheater, is estimated to cost $18 million with the entire project, expected to be complete sometime in 2028, to cost more than $50 million. Land costs, for the 517 parcels then-acquired as of June 2922, was estimated at appropriately $29 million.