Monroe County schools to lead $6 million Founders Park upgrades

Islamorada’s village council unanimously approved a license agreement framework on Jan. 8 that clears the way for the Monroe County School District to lead roughly $6 million in improvements to the Founders Park baseball field, home of Coral Shores High School baseball. The draft agreement moved to the Monroe County School Board for consideration on Jan. 15, setting the next step in what could be the biggest upgrade to the field in decades.

Planned upgrades include a new artificial turf playing surface, a two-story building behind home plate housing a press box, concessions and restrooms, new dugouts and upgraded drainage and turf systems. Those elements address both player safety and spectator amenities, and aim to reduce game cancellations tied to poor field conditions. The agreement specifies that the village will retain oversight rights over materials, design choices and construction coordination and requires village review and public input on final designs before work begins.

The license framework establishes the school district’s seasonal use window as January through May and requires prior notice for weekend non-school use. That condition preserves Coral Shores’ priority access during the high school season while opening the possibility of community and tournament use outside those months, subject to village approval and scheduling. For residents, the arrangement balances school athletic needs with local control over public park resources.

From a fiscal perspective, a $6 million capital investment in a municipal athletic facility is significant for a small, tourism-driven county. Artificial turf typically raises upfront costs compared with natural grass, but proponents often point to lower water use and reduced routine mowing and re-sodding expenses over time. The village’s oversight provisions mean elected officials can weigh those lifecycle costs alongside aesthetic and environmental considerations unique to the Keys, where salt spray and heavy rainfall present maintenance challenges.

Economically, upgraded facilities can generate local spillovers if the park attracts regional tournaments or increased spectator turnout. Visitor spending on food, lodging and retail during multi-game events could provide incremental revenue to Islamorada businesses, though actual economic impact will depend on scheduling, marketing and infrastructure such as parking and restroom capacity.

Next steps hinge on the school board’s decision and the subsequent design review process. If the board approves the draft license agreement, residents can expect public meetings on final plans and a coordinated construction schedule that must align with the village’s oversight requirements. For Coral Shores players and local baseball fans, the proposal signals a substantial modernization of Founders Park that aims to enhance safety, extend playing seasons and strengthen the field’s role as a community asset.