Talking Points

This collection of talking points is designed to support you in advocating for our public waterfront spaces—whether you're attending a city commission meeting, submitting a written public comment, reaching out to officials via email, speaking to the media, sharing posts on social media, or organizing at local outreach events.

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📌 1. Why This Land Matters

These points explain the significance of these public spaces and why they must be preserved.

• 🌊 Public Access Is a Public Right
  Public access has existed for over 60 years and should be protected for everyone—not just waterfront homeowners.

• 🏘️ This Is a Historic Neighborhood
  South Palm Park is a designated historic district. The city must protect its character just as homeowners do.

• 👣 Generational Access & Memory
  These parks are part of our community's cultural fabric—used by families for decades.

• 🏙️ Unequal Access to the Water
  Without these parks, non-waterfront residents lose their only public access to the Intracoastal.

• 📉 Privatization Hurts Surrounding Homeowners
  Removing access lowers community value and home desirability, benefiting only a few.

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🛠️ 2. What We Can—and Should—Do Instead

These points offer constructive, realistic alternatives to land giveaways.

• ⚠️ Removing Access Doesn’t Solve Safety Issues
  Displacing problems isn't a solution—investment in safety and services is.

• 🛠️ Better, Proven Solutions Exist
  Use CPTED design, increase patrols, and support social service interventions.

• 💡 Missed Opportunity for Community Activation
  Small investments—benches, signage, landscaping—could improve these parks.

• 🌿 Ecological and Coastal Resilience
  These spaces help with erosion control, biodiversity, and water absorption.

• 🐚 Environmental and Wildlife Concerns
  Protected species like blue land crabs live here—privatization threatens them.

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⚖️ 3. Why This Process Matters to Everyone

These address broader risks, process transparency, and public trust.

• 🗳️ This Sets a Dangerous Precedent
  One sale opens the door to more. This must stop before it becomes normalized.

• 🔄 Slippery Slope
  If we give this land away today, others will follow. Hold the line now.

• 🧠 Legal Process Must Be Transparent
  Meetings must be accessible and transparent—no buried agendas.

• 🗣️ Democratic Representation Matters
  Were residents and neighborhood associations truly consulted?

• 🤝 Shared Space = Shared Responsibility
  Fair access and stewardship can go hand-in-hand—just look at other FL towns.

• 👥 Opportunity for Unity
  This is a unifying issue. Residents of all types want fair, open access.