Treasure Island city commissioners voted 3-2 on March 16 to again reject a shade structure for the Rosselli Park playground, leaving the city’s only ADA-accessible play area without overhead cover ahead of summer.

Recreation Director Cathy Hayduke told commissioners that a large bottlebrush tree that once shaded most of the play area was destroyed by hurricanes Helene and Milton and had to be removed. Only two partial shade structures on the east side of the playground remain.

Hayduke presented three options to the commission, with the least expensive being a Mega Span structure covering the entire play area at $137,180, plus additional costs to relocate existing shade structures — bringing the total budget amendment to approximately $151,580. The other two options would have cost $177,572 and $184,626, respectively.

Commissioners Arden Dickey, Chris Clark, and Arthur Czyszczon voted against all options, arguing the expense was unbudgeted and that deteriorating seawall infrastructure should take priority. Commissioner Clark said he opposed approving unbudgeted spending until critical infrastructure needs were addressed, while Czyszczon noted a seawall in his district was actively caving into the Intracoastal Waterway.

Vice Mayor Tammy Vasquez, who supported the project, argued the issue was one of health and safety, noting the commission had received emails from parents and grandparents urging action before summer heat arrived.

Public opinion was divided. One resident sided with the commission, suggesting children could use the park during cooler parts of the day. Another urged the commission to act, warning that playground equipment becomes dangerously hot in the Florida summer sun.

Commissioners directed City Manager Charles Van Zant to explore planting shade trees as an alternative, and Mayor John Doctor indicated the commission could revisit the shade structure proposal during budget discussions.

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