Addressing concerns: Ocoee changes Tiger Minor Park hours

Ocoee City Commission approved changing the hours of Tiger Minor Park during its Oct. 7 meeting after residents came forward at a meeting in September with concerns over the noise levels at the park. 

Parks and Leisure Services Director Mark Johnson suggested changes to Tiger Minor Park including adding gates that open and close, changing the pickleball hours to 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with park hours of 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and adding boards and bushes to block the noise levels. 

Ocoee resident Andrea Jones thanked the commissioners for keeping up with citizens’ interests but advocated against changing the current hours of the courts because it would limit players who work full-time jobs. She also said the courts bring in revenue for Ocoee from players who travel from other towns. 

“I personally feel as though we have a responsibility to maintain a healthy issue for our residents that live in the community,” Mayor Pro Tem Rosemary Wilsen said. “It’s not healthy to have folks till 10 p.m. banging balls around.” 

Wilsen and the rest of the commissioners, aside from District 1 Commissioner Scott Kennedy, agreed to move forward with the changes Johnson suggested to Tiger Minor Park. 

OCOEE BECOMES PURPLE HEART CITY

Johnson announced a proclamation that Ocoee has become a Purple Heart City, which signifies the city’s commitment to supporting and remembering veterans who were wounded in the line of duty.

“The city of Ocoee has great admiration and the utmost gratitude for all the men and women who have selflessly served their country in this community in the armed forces,” Johnson said. 

He explained the Purple Heart was the first American Service Award of decoration, which was given to the common soldier and specifically members of the U.S. Armed Forces who had been wounded or killed in the line of duty. 

Louis Barnes, the commander for the Purple Heart Department of Florida, served 26-and-one-half years in the U.S. Army and went to the first Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. When he and the troops returned, they weren't all recognized for their efforts. He thanked the city of Ocoee for what it does to recognize veterans and Purple Heart recipients. 

“We truly appreciate the Purple Heart designation for our city,” Johnson said, who served in the U.S. army. “We’re going to try to put some (hearts) on parking spaces and other places.” 

HEADED TO D.C. 

The commission unanimously agreed to send Wilsen and Mayor Rusty Johnson to Washington, D.C. Tuesday, Nov. 4 to Thursday, Nov. 6 to lobby for House Resolution 672. If passed, the bill would consolidate the five ZIP codes of Ocoee into one. 

“We have never gotten this far to be one of 50 cities, I think, mentioned on that bill and we are one of them,” Wilsen said. “I think it’s very important that we represent ourselves in Washington.” 

When Rose Hill was added to Ocoee 17 years ago, the community wasn’t able to change its ZIP code, which has caused it to have increased insurance rates and other costs, Wilsen said. The commission has been working for years to make the change to unify Ocoee and assist its residents who are suffering additional financial costs.