SEBASTIAN — For well over a year, dog owners have been asking the City of Sebastian for a public restroom. In an estimated six months, their wish will finally be granted. The city’s Recreation Advisory Committee chose the location for the restroom facility to recommend to the Sebastian City Council.
Maria Cortese, of Friends of the Bark Park, told the committee that she supported having the restroom nearer to the parking lot rather than the option that would have had the facility farther away.
Cortese said having the restroom nearer the parking lot would make it more accessible to the public, though it would mean a farther walk for those visiting the park.
“It shouldn’t be for just the dog park,” she said of the public restroom.
City Manager Al Minner told the committee that work could start in a couple weeks on the facility and construction should take no longer than six months.
The restroom will utilize a septic system, which is expected to speed up the construction process. It is expected to have lights similar to those found on the Riverview Park restroom building. Those lights will be on timers.
The Recreation Advisory Committee also approved moving up the timetable for a small playground at the city’s Community Center, located at N. Central Avenue and Jackson Street.
City Councilman Jerome Adams, a former recreation committee member, asked Minner to approach the committee to move up the project, which was scheduled to be tackled next fiscal year.
Minner told the committee that there is a concern for children’s safety outside the Community Center as many of them play out in the parking lot. The proposed $25,000 project would consist of a simple swing set and fencing similar to that recently installed at Hardee Park.
“There are the funds to shift that,” Minner said.
Committee alternate member Rosemary Flescher said having a playground could help ease confusion between classes and activities at the center as one class lets out as another class begins.
“I think this is a great idea,” she said.
The committee discussed whether the playground should have access only through the Community Center or also have an access point outside the center.
“We’ll take your recommendation on that,” Minner said.
They voted unanimously to recommend having double access to playground as well as move up the timing for the project.
