The places where children play, families gather, and neighbors connect remain a priority in Cooper City. In recent months, the City Commission has approved more than $1.29 million in new investments that will bring playground replacements and refurbishments, outdoor fitness equipment, shade and safety-surfacing improvements to Forest Lake Park, Ted Ferone Park, Dawn Park and Christie Schafale Park.
Residents can expect work on these projects to begin as early as the fourth quarter of 2026 or during the first quarter of 2027. Individual construction schedules have not yet been finalized and will be shared as additional information becomes available.
New Playground Improvements Planned Across Cooper City
The City is preparing for playground improvements at Forest Lake Park, Ted Ferone Park, Dawn Park and Christie Schafale Park. Forest Lake Park, Ted Ferone Park and Dawn Park will receive complete playground replacements, while the existing playground at Christie Schafale Park will be refurbished with targeted enhancements. Together, these projects will expand opportunities for active and imaginative play while improving comfort, accessibility and safety.
Forest Lake Park: A Modern Playground for Children of All Abilities
The City Commission approved the Forest Lake Park Playground Replacement Project on July 21, 2026, in the amount of $335,486.14. The project will remove the existing playground, which has reached the end of its useful life, and replace it with a modern play area designed to serve children of varying ages and abilities.
The new playground will center on a large play structure for children ages 5 to 12, featuring multiple slides, overhead and vertical climbing elements, elevated decks, a crawl-through panel, balance features and an accessible transfer system. Freestanding play elements will include climbing pods, an inclusive whirl and an interactive sensory wall. A new swing area will provide additional opportunities for movement and group play.
Approximately 3,500 square feet of continuous poured-in-place rubber surfacing will create a firm, stable and impact-absorbing play surface throughout the area. The project also includes removal and disposal of the existing equipment and borders, site preparation, a compacted stone sub-base, new concrete curbing and related site improvements.
New Playgrounds Planned for Ted Ferone and Dawn Parks
Ted Ferone Park and Dawn Park will each receive a completely new playground, representing a combined investment of more than $812,000. The designs will provide major upgrades over the existing playgrounds, with more opportunities for children to climb, slide, balance, swing and explore.
Both playgrounds are designed to encourage movement and imaginative play while supporting children with varying abilities. Accessible transfer systems and ground-level activities will offer additional ways to engage with the equipment, while continuous poured-in-place rubber surfacing will provide a firm, stable and impact-absorbing play surface. Shade structures over key play areas and swings will also help make visits more comfortable for children and caregivers.
Ted Ferone Park: More Ways to Climb, Move and Explore
The new playground at Ted Ferone Park will feature a large, challenge-oriented play system with multiple climbing experiences, including rock-style, arch, tunnel and overhead climbers. Slides, elevated decks, balance elements, activity panels and accessible transfer points will allow children to move through the playground in different ways and choose activities suited to their comfort and ability levels.
Additional freestanding features, including stepping pods, a spinner and interactive play elements, will expand opportunities for balance, coordination and active group play. The playground will also include a shaded swing area with both traditional belt seats and enclosed toddler seats. New poured-rubber safety surfacing will extend throughout the play area, improving accessibility while helping cushion falls.
Dawn Park: A New Tower Built for Adventure
Dawn Park’s new playground will be anchored by a tall, shaded tower system offering children several paths for play. The design includes enclosed and open slides, climbing nets, vertical climbing features, overhead rings, activity panels and elevated walkways that encourage children to build strength, coordination and confidence as they explore.
Accessible routes, transfer points and ground-level play features will create more opportunities for children with varying abilities to participate. A shaded swing area will include traditional belt seats and enclosed toddler seats, while an independent bowl-style spinner will add another type of movement and play. Continuous poured-rubber safety surfacing also helps create a more accessible play area.
Playground and Fitness Improvements at Christie Schafale Park
The existing playground at Christie Schafale Park will be refurbished through targeted improvements that extend the life of the play area while enhancing comfort and safety. The swing area will receive a new shade structure, and engineered wood fiber safety surfacing will be replenished. Because the existing playground still has significant useful life, this focused approach allows the City to improve the space while making responsible use of public funds.
The playground work will complement a new outdoor fitness area planned for the park. Together, the playground and fitness improvements represent an investment of more than $143,000 and will create additional ways for children, adults and older residents to stay active outdoors.
The planned outdoor fitness area will feature a well-rounded collection of commercial-grade equipment for cardiovascular exercise, strength training, flexibility and low-impact movement. Residents will be able to use an elliptical cross trainer, rowing machine and recumbent bicycle, along with a two-person back and arms station and an accessible two-person chest press.
A multi-station bodyweight training unit will add options for dips, pull-ups, assisted pull-ups and push-ups, leg raises and incline sit-ups. Together, the equipment will allow residents to build a full-body workout and choose activities that match different fitness levels and abilities. The area will also include approximately 1,054 square feet of poured-in-place rubber surfacing, creating a firm, stable and cushioned surface around the equipment.
By placing this equipment in a public park, the City will provide another convenient way for adults and older residents to exercise while children and families enjoy nearby recreational amenities.
Recent Improvements at Bill Lips Sports Complex
Recent work at Bill Lips Sports Complex has added stabilized parking pavers around the exterior of the complex to provide additional parking. New fencing has also been installed along the west side of the park. These improvements build upon the City’s continuing investment in the complex and its athletic facilities.
Building Upon a Strong Foundation
These projects are part of a broader, long-term commitment to Cooper City’s parks and recreation system. Alongside larger capital projects, Parks and Recreation staff continue to complete smaller enhancements throughout the park system that improve residents’ day-to-day experience. Recent examples include the installation of a new water fountain at Ellie Kozak Park.
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan presented in February recognized the City’s recent playground upgrades as outstanding and ADA-compliant while identifying additional playground improvements as short-term priorities at parks throughout the community.
By continuing to invest in playgrounds, fitness amenities and other recreational facilities, the City is caring for the spaces where first friendships begin, family traditions grow and lasting memories are created.
Project schedules may be affected by permitting, manufacturing, delivery, weather and other construction-related factors. The City will share updates as timelines are finalized and work moves forward.