This is what the Mac Williams Park on the north side of the Barber Bridge is. Even though we think it is a city park with a ball field and a dog walking area it is in fact a commercially marine zoned property that can be sold to a commercial developer by just three votes of the city council. Last year Mayor Fletcher, Councilwomen Turner and Carroll refused to vote to make this a park. There could be a Marriott Hotel, a boat repair type marina or a housing development on this property.
If this upsets you it is not too late to do something about it. The city council can add this as a park, to the city charter by a simple majority vote. Or we can take matters into our own hands and collect 1,200 signatures of REGITERED CITY OF VERO BEACH VOTERS.The first option is simple. Everyone please call the city council @772-978-4700 and DEMAND that they add this to the city charter as a REAL CITY PARK. You can also fax you demand to 772-978-4790. In addition send an email to,cityclerk@covb.org.
To further compound this problem, the BOB SOMMERS ball field on this property is in the process of being abandoned because of county budget cuts. The grass is already knee deep in the bull pens and the usually green grass in the ball field has turned brown.
The next City council meeting is Tuesday the 19th at 6:00pm, we can show the council we are serious about having this a REAL PARK by all showing up.
Thank you
John Wester
Indian River Guardian 
The City Council meeting is TUESDAY, Nov. 19 – tonight at 6pm. I have no problem with this area being made a full-fledged Vero Beach park. Does no one use the ballpark anymore? Who DID use it before it was allowed to become overgrown? Certainly, the dog walking area is a big plus for the dog-owners on the island. Am sure the dogs enjoy having a place to be – dogs.
Is mr. Wester a resident of the city ?
By making this area a bona fided dog park we are able to accomodate dog lovers and also take away any chance of this property going commercial. It was a poor non decision by then Mayor Fletcher, and councilwomen Carroll and Turner. We must protect our precious open lands before some future council may vote to take this and other land from public ownership.