PALM BAY, Fla. – Wednesday, construction began 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 parks division manager says work on the new safety fence will last for two weeks.
“We’re constructing a 4-foot safety fence around the playground to give a secure border around the all-inclusive playground,” Josh Hudak told Sparvero at the site. “It was a need that we heard from the public. We heard them speak, and we’re making that happen.”
[VIDEO: Families call for barricade between new playground and pond at Palm Bay park]
Hudak said workers will also install eight park benches at the playground.
He responded to some families who told News 6 they thought the park was fine without a fence and parents should just keep an eye on their kids.
“They’re needs to be a barri, so it just made sense,” Hudak said.
The playground will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday, but the park remains open during the project.
The city is urging visitors to be cautious and follow signs posted in the area.
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