FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2019
DEP, Satellite Beach Celebrate Grand Opening of Desoto Park
~City received $820,000 in DEP grants to help improve water quality and park amenities~
 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection recently joined the City of Satellite Beach and local officials to celebrate the grand opening of Desoto Park. The park was made possible through multiple grant programs designed to protect important natural resources, provide recreational opportunities and improve state’s water resources.
DEP's Division of State Lands Recreational Trails Program (RTP) awarded $120,000 in grant funding to Satellite Beach to complete the Desoto Park Multi-Use Recreational Trail project. This includes the development of 1,800 feet of hard surface trail, installation of multi-generational exercise equipment, trash cans, benches and the renovation of the trail’s grass parking area.
DEP's Division of Water Restoration Assistance (DWRA) provided $700,000 in water quality grants for the Desoto Park stormwater treatment retrofit portion of the project. This includes a stormwater pond, connection and expansion of the irrigation system to draw water from the pond instead of an artesian well, and treatment of groundwater from the pond to the canal leading to the Banana River.
Along with many other efforts in the region, this project will further reduce nutrient related impacts to the Indian River Lagoon. Local projects from stakeholders, government partners and DEP are essential to reducing nutrients in the watershed and improving water quality. The department and its partners continue to identify sources of pollution and implement projects and strategies to address these sources and restore these important natural resources.
“We are pleased to partner with Satellite Beach for the Desoto Park project that not only improves water quality, but also creates a new destination for recreational opportunities in the community,” said DEP Secretary Noah Valenstein. “Maximizing DEP’s available grant funding from the Division of State Lands Recreational Trails Program and the Division of Water Restoration Assistance for projects like this improves the quality of life for residents and visitors, and exemplifies how we are protecting Florida together.”
This project has improved universal access and connectivity to the Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, a strategic long-term priority of DEP’s Office of Greenways and Trails. The park features a walking and exercise trail, kayak launch, educational kiosks and a pond with fountain.
“Desoto Park has quickly become the new city centerpiece. We receive compliments everyday about the pond, walking trail, exercise equipment and fountain,” said Satellite Beach Public Works Director Allen Potter. “Much of this was made possible through the assistance we were able to obtain through the Recreational Trails Program, so we share the kudos with DEP and RTP.”
The Division of Water Restoration Assistance provides loans and grants to local governments, utilities and other agencies for projects that improve the quality and quantity of the state's water resources and provide a significant benefit to the environment and local communities.
The Division of State Lands Recreational Trails Program, funded through the Federal Highway Administration, is a competitive grant program that provides financial assistance to develop and maintain recreational trails and trail-related facilities for motorized and non-motorized recreational trail uses.
| 
