Civil Municipal - April 2024

amenities such as sidewalks and streetlights long before such features became commonplace. Despite setbacks like the 1929 stock market crash, Lake Park endured, eventually shedding its original name of Kelsey City in favor of the moniker it proudly bears today. Over the decades, Lake Park has evolved into a mosaic of residential, commercial, and industrial zones, each playing a vital role in the town’s economic landscape. With a population exceeding 9,000 residents, Lake Park may be geographically modest, but its land use diversity sets it apart. Single-family homes coexist harmoniously with commercial corridors and mixed- use areas, creating a community with abundant opportunities for growth and activity. In a recent interview, key figures in Lake Park’s administration provided insight into the town’s ongoing infrastructure projects and initiatives to support growth and development. Mayor Roger Michaud, Town Manager John D’Agostino, Assistant Town Manager/Human Resources Director Bambi McKibbon-Turner, Community Development Director Nadia Di Tommaso, and Grants Writer/Chief Public Information Officer Merrell Angstreich, along with Peter Baytarian, Managing Partner at developer Forest Development, offered valuable perspectives on the town’s innovative approach to infrastructure and its impact on the community. ADVANCEMENTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE Central to Lake Park’s development strategy is a focus on sustainable infrastructure, particularly water resource management. Given Florida’s unique geographic challenges, including its susceptibility to flooding, Lake Park has spearheaded initiatives like the master drainage plan designed to harness the power of nature to mitigate flooding and ensure clean water discharge. Through creative solutions such as bioswales and underground filtration chambers, Lake Park has transformed its approach to stormwater management, earning statewide recognition for its green infrastructure initiatives. By reintroducing elements of nature to the shoreline and embracing productive problem-solving, Lake Park exemplifies a commitment to environmental stewardship and 121 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 04 LAKE PARK, FLORIDA