By Debbie Carson, Online Editor
FELLSMERE — After finding out the city won’t be receiving a $250,000 state grant, Fellsmere might look to Indian River County and others for funds to construct trails and boardwalks and install signage within the preserve.
“We just have to look at alternative funding sources,” said Fellsmere City Manager Jason Nunemaker.
Fellsmere had sought an Office of Greenway Trails grant but was denied. The county, however, received funds through the Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program. The city has 10 years to implement its plans for passive recreation at the preserve, according to Nunemaker.
In the meantime, the city is proceeding with its partnership with Florida Institute of Technology’s ROTC. Plans call for the installation of an observation tower that will double as a rappelling and rock-climbing tower.
Nunemaker said the school had to tear down its tower on its north campus to make room for a new building. That left the school looking for another place for its tower.
The city had planned to have an observation tower at the Fellsmere Preserve – a place for birdwatchers and other nature enthusiasts to look out over the woods and wetlands.
The entire project is expected to run about $40,000 — most of which the Florida Institute of Technology will pay.
The city is kicking in $6,000 for a roof to the observation tower and other such improvements. Fellsmere is also planning to stabilize the road leading to the tower and the parking area.
And while the rappelling wall and rock climbing tower is really FIT’s idea, Nunemaker said that it could be possible that others could use it when the ROTC is not there.
He added that there could be team-building exercises held at the tower and other such activities.
The Fellsmere Preserve has not been open recently to the public, though it has been in the past.
“It’s been so wet,” Nunemaker said, adding that just last week his truck got stuck in the preserve.
Anyone wishing to access the preserve may request to have it opened by calling City Manager Nunemaker. However, visitors’ intentions must be in line with the passive nature of the preserve.
No hunting is allowed — and neither are dirt bikes.
To contact the city manager, call (772) 538-0595.
