PALM BAY, Fla. – This week, construction will begin on a new fence to block a playground from nearby ponds at Palm Bay’s Fred Poppe Regional Park.
Palm Bay built the new playground with inclusive equipment for children with special needs earlier this year.
But parents told News 6 Brevard County community correspondent James Sparvero that they were concerned a large pond was steps away from the playground, with nothing stopping children from running into the water.
Sparvero took those concerns to Palm Bay city leaders, and they said money for fencing was added to the fiscal year 2026 budget.
Now the city says work on the new safety fence will begin Wednesday and last for two weeks.
The playground will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, but is supposed to remain open during the project, even though the area will be considered an active construction site. The city is urging visitors to be cautious and follow signs posted in the area.
[Watch parents express concerns about Palm Bay playground without a fence]