# Stuart Voters May Decide Future of Haney Creek Park Land
- Medio: Orlando Ledger News (https://orlandoledgernews.com)
- URL: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/stuart-voters-may-decide-future-of-haney-creek-park-land
- Sección: Politics
- Autor: Orlando Ledger News Staff
- Publicado: 2026-08-11T07:06:20.762Z
> Stuart commissioners debate whether to put a decision about two acres of park land before voters this November to fund maintenance or preserve green space.

## Las claves

- Stuart residents may decide whether to lease two acres near Haney Creek Park for commercial use or conserve them as natural habitat.
- The Martin County City Commission must finalize the ballot measure by August 17 for a November 3 election in Stuart, Florida.
- Commissioners argue that leasing could generate $1 million for park maintenance while others prioritize environmental preservation and citizen input.

STUART, Fla. — Residents of Stuart may soon have the final say on the future of two acres of land adjacent to Haney Creek Park Nature Trails and Dog Park. The Martin County City Commission is preparing for a critical decision that will determine whether these specific plots are conserved as natural habitat or leased to commercial businesses to help fund park maintenance. This potential vote comes after months of debate regarding how best to balance environmental preservation with the financial needs of maintaining public green spaces.

### Ballot Measure and Election Timeline

The urgency of this decision is driven by strict election deadlines. City Commissioner Laura Giobbi has advocated for moving the issue forward, stating, "I'm asking for us to move it forward, to get it onto the ballot and let the citizens decide." The commission voted 3-1 on Monday to consider a resolution that would place the question before voters in the Nov. 3 general election.

However, there is a tight window for action. Commissioners must make a final decision by Aug. 17 at a special City Commission meeting. This date is crucial because the wording for the November ballot must be submitted to the Martin County Supervisor of Elections Office no later than Aug. 21. If the city misses this deadline, it would be forced to hold a special election instead, costing taxpayers between $13,000 and $16,000.

### Financial Implications vs. Preservation

The core of the debate centers on the value of the two acres located at 1001 Northwest Federal Highway, across from Northwest River Shores Boulevard. Commissioner Campbell Rich dissented in the initial vote, arguing that it is not prudent to move forward given potential changes in state property tax laws.

Rich estimates that leasing these two acres could generate approximately $1 million over a 10-year period. He emphasized that this revenue would be vital for maintaining and improving Haney Creek Park, which opened in 2016. "I do not want to deny the taxpayer the opportunity to earn that money," Rich said, noting that municipal budgets often face stress when funding is tight, according to [Washington Post](https://washingtonpost.com).

Conversely, Giobbi argued that Stuart needs to acquire as much green space as possible due to ongoing development pressures. She expressed concern about taking decision-making power away from citizens. Jim Chrulski, the city's community services director, provided context on the park itself, describing it as a preserve protecting rare Florida habitats including coastal scrubland, pine flatwoods, wetlands, and wet prairie, a story we covered in [Florida Property Tax Vote Faces Legal Scrutiny in Leon County](/noticia/florida-property-tax-vote-faces-legal-scrutiny-in-leon-county).

### Community Impact and Park Features

Haney Creek Park is a significant recreational asset for Stuart. According to Chrulski, the park features 4.4 miles of trails suitable for hiking and jogging, a dedicated dog park, picnic areas, and opportunities for nature observation. While Giobbi highlighted the loss of green space in the city due to development, Rich countered that Stuart currently manages 731 acres of green space—ten times the amount required by the city's growth management plan.

Rich noted that adding two acres represents only about one-third of 1% of the total managed and unmanaged green space in Stuart. The outcome of this vote will likely influence how other municipalities approach similar conflicts between revenue generation through land leasing and environmental conservation efforts across Florida.
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Fuente original: https://orlandoledgernews.com/noticia/stuart-voters-may-decide-future-of-haney-creek-park-land