PLACEMENT: Consent
TITLE:
title
NAME THE NEW BEACH FRONT CAFÉ AT JENSEN BEACH THE “SEA TURTLE BEACH CAFÉ”
end
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
The Parks and Recreation Department is beginning the operations plan for a new beachside café at Jensen Beach which is currently under design and permitting phase. In an effort to promote and market the venue once constructed, the Parks and Recreation Department would like to name the facility the “Sea Turtle Beach Café.”
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DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation
PREPARED BY: Name: Nancy Johnson
Title: Marketing Manager
REQUESTED BY: Kevin V. Abbate, Parks and Recreation Director
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
In April 2025, the public restroom and the 35-year-old concession building at Jensen Beach Park was demolished after a fire destroyed the restroom, deck, and surrounding amenities in December 2024. The replacement of these amenities is in accordance with Parks and Recreation Master Plan Goal 1: Maintain and Improve Facilities, Objective 1.1 - Maintain and improve existing facilities, Objective 1.7 - Continue to improve ADA accessibility at all facilities, Objective 1.8 - Upgrade convenience and customer service amenities to existing facilities, Goal 3 - Continue to Improve Program and Service Delivery, and Objective 3.1 - Explore opportunities to increase recreational opportunities based on demand and trend.
The property consists of approximately 8,750 square feet of decking space, a 750 square foot restroom building, an 850 square foot café building, and a 750 square foot open pavilion. The schematic design for the new café is complete. The new design utilizes the existing footprint, which will consist of a public deck, beach access, public restroom, and café. The project is currently at 60% of the Design Development Phase, which includes preliminary stages of Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), structural design and coordination with approved kitchen designer, civil engineer, and interior designer. Estimated construction is expected to take place in FY2027.
The café building (formerly known as the Sand Dune Café) is one of a few beachfront restaurants in Martin County and is a unique and valuable public asset.
To promote and market the new beachside café in a way that maximizes its appeal to residents and visitors, the Parks and Recreation Department is seeking approval of the new name as recommended by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board.
Per County policy, any naming of a facility must be done by Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners. Staff came up with a list of potential names and researched existing businesses to make sure there were no duplicates in the Treasure Coast.
By unanimous vote on October 16, 2025, the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board recommended naming the new beachside café at Jensen Beach the “Sea Turtle Beach Café”.
ISSUES:
None
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW:
This item has been reviewed for legal sufficiency to determine whether it is consistent with applicable law, has identified and addressed legal risks, and has developed strategies for legal defensibility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECOMMENDATION
Move that the Board adopt the Resolution naming the new beachside café at Jensen Beach as the “Sea Turtle Beach Café”.
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Pull this item from the Consent Agenda and direct staff to modify the Resolution with an alternate name that is acceptable to the Board of County Commissioners.
FISCAL IMPACT:
RECOMMENDATION
None
ALTERNATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS
None
DOCUMENT(S) REQUIRING ACTION:
☐Budget Transfer / Amendment ☐ Chair Letter ☐Contract / Agreement
☐Grant / Application ☐Notice ☐Ordinance ☒Resolution
☐Other:
This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback <http://www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback>.