Pickleball courts, dog park and more: The latest on 20-acre park planned next to Inter Miami’s stadium

Fort Lauderdale’s long-anticipated Lockhart Park could open as soon as 2026, right next to the stadium where soccer superstar Leo Messi and his Inter Miami teammates now play, according to a new timeline released this week.

“I think the nod is to go forward and try to wrap this up,” Mayor Dean Trantalis said. “We want to get this park done.”

The sprawling park is slated for 20 acres of grassy land that’s currently being used for overflow parking on game days.

On Tuesday afternoon, Fort Lauderdale commissioners gave a thumbs up to an updated park design plan that includes 16 shaded pickleball courts — a special new addition made at the suggestion of John Herbst, the district commissioner.

“I think it will really help make Lockhart Park a true destination for people to want to come visit,” Herbst said during the meeting. “We hear stories about people waiting hours for court time to be able to play. I think this is something that will drive a lot of visitors to the area. And I think it will be an amazing facility once we get it done.”

According to current estimates, the park will cost $30 million.

The design calls for a dog park, splash pad, playground, walking trail, fitness area and community center with a ceiling over 30 feet high.

But so far, Miami Beckham United has not had input on the latest design plan.

Just when the commission meeting got underway on Tuesday, an attorney for Beckham United sent an email to the city with this reminder: Beckham United has not waived its right to sign off on the design before construction begins.

“Without Miami Beckham’s consent, the park cannot be completed,” the letter said. “Miami Beckham looks forward to meeting with the city and reaching a design plan that is mutually acceptable to both parties.”

Vice Mayor Steve Glassman mentioned the warning.

“If you read this letter carefully, Inter Miami seems to be taking exception to moving along the path of this design without them being at the table,” he said.

Herbst said he was waiting until the design was further along before bringing it to Beckham United officials.

“I think this is the appropriate time to bring it to Inter Miami and say this is what the commission has approved,” Herbst said. “They’re our partners here and I think it’s important to have their input.”

Beckham United officials promised to build the park after making a deal with Fort Lauderdale to build a soccer stadium on taxpayer-owned land.

Under the original agreement with David Beckham and his billionaire partners Jorge and Jose Mas, the park was supposed to be built by July 2022.

DRV PNK Stadium, now known as Chase Stadium, got built in record time, but the park has yet to break ground.

Last year, Fort Lauderdale entered into mediation talks with Beckham United to iron out several disagreements, including a dispute over who should pick up the $6 million tab for demolition costs.

Another mediation session is set for next week, with former Mayor Jack Seiler acting as mediator.

Herbst, a CPA and financial expert in governmental accounting, has been representing the city in those behind-the-scenes talks.

Residents are eager to get their long-promised park, Herbst said.

“I was hoping we’d have all the design and permits concluded by the end of the year,” Herbst told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Wednesday. “We could break ground by spring of next year. It would open sometime in 2026.”

The park will cost an estimated $30 million to build, with Miami Beckham contributing $17 million and the city paying $13 million.

Fort Lauderdale taxpayers would pick up the tab for 16 pickleball courts that will cost nearly $3.5 million. Other amenities on the city’s tab include a $4 million community center, a $1.8 million splash pad zone and a $1.4 million fitness station.

Miami Beckham would pay for the $3.8 million playground, a $560,000 dog park, $1.3 million in sidewalks, $5.8 million in park amenities, a $1.8 million multipurpose playing field and nearly $500,000 in lighting.

Before the discussion ended, Trantalis said he agreed that now is the time to include Beckham United officials in the conversation.

“They may want to weigh in,” he said. “There’s certain sections (of the park) that are being assigned to them. They may want to do it themselves. They may be able to get it done cheaper through access to materials and labor that they have that we don’t.”

Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com. Follow me on X @Susannah_Bryan