Boca Raton Expands Sugar Sand Park Tree Survey From 500 to 3,000 in Softball Field Study

Tagged trees at Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton, FL. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Boca Raton officials last week approved a change order that calls for the expansion of a study of trees in Sugar Sand Park that could be removed for the construction of a new softball field complex. The construction of new fields at Sugar Sand Park are part of a larger plan to reconstitute portions of Memorial Park downtown should the controversial government campus development partnership come to fruition.

Residents have expressed fear that a large number of trees could be cut down in favor of the softball field complex, and previously raised concerns before the council and the local parks district about the tagging of trees in the area of the park where the fields have been proposed. An initial study called for the survey and tagging of 500 trees, but last week the council approved an order expanding the tagging to as many as 3,000 trees if necessary. The council voted Dec. 2 to add $202,252 to an existing $168,963 contract with Currie Sowards Aguila Architects for arborist services. The initial contract was signed in September, with the increase representing the increased cost of the survey on a per-tree basis.

“Since then, we’ve taken a look at the trees and the original estimate was based on 500 trees potentially being removed, but after looking at it, there are more than 500 trees,” said City Manager Mark Sohaney.

Not all of the trees that are tagged would be removed if the softball complex were to be built, however the arborist’s report will detail the presence of tree species and density that would provide officials with a solid number. All trees greater than 3-inches in diameter in the portion of the park where the complex would be constructed, known as Tract A, will be accounted for. The tree inventory will include tree number, species identification, condition rating on a scale of zero to 100, plus notes on hazardous, dead, dying or diseased trees. Hardwood and pine tree measurements will include trunk diameter, height, and approximate canopy spread, Palm Trees will also include clear trunk/grey wood measurements. A written summary of the site with general observations will also be provided.

The downtown redevelopment project in slated to go before voters in the March 2026 municipal election, and the arborist’s report is due to be submitted to the city by April 15. It is set to be discussed at the May 4, 2026 council meeting.

“In the event we go forward and remove trees, we’ve already gone ahead and allocated the resources for the contractor,” said Sohaney, reiterating that no trees will be removed without the direction of the city council. “That decision will be made in the spring, before May 4.”

Baseball and softball fields at Sugar Sand Park, July 2025. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

Tagged trees at Sugar Sand Park, Boca Raton, FL. (Photo: Boca Daily News)

The tree survey is part of a larger environmental assessment of Tract A which is ongoing. The first part of the study was a survey of a potential gopher tortoise population, which did not turn up any of the animals, which are considered a threatened species. Still, should the project move forward, the city’s environmental consultant recommended the installation of a silt fence along the perimeter to limit the gopher tortoises from moving into the area. A similar survey searched for the Eastern Indigo snake, but likewise, did not find any.

“We are continuing to do an environmental assessment,” said Sohaney. “That’s where we’re at, and we’re not going to move forward beyond that without council direction.”

In July, Boca Raton officials approved a plan to partner with the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District on what would likely be a $12 million project to create a new softball complex in the area known as Tract A, located near Camino Real and Military Trail. Under the agreement, the city would design and construct a new softball field complex on available land located within that section of the park. The complex would include athletic fields, dugouts, batting cages, bleachers, shade structures, concessions, restrooms, internal roads and walkways, and new parking facilities.