WHAT HAPPENED?
On January 24, 2024, Commissioner Erik Arroyo invited Jeff Koffman of RIDE Entertainment to pitch paid putt putt golf in a public park.
Jeff Koffman and his brother:
were behind the controversial St. Armands winter festival1 and Octoberfest.
attended the 2022 Mayor's Ball2 that led to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation3 of Commissioner Arroyo.
appear to have an association with the operation of a controversial New Jersey amusement park that was featured in a 2020 documentary titled Class Action Park ("Welcome To Action Park: The World’s Most Dangerous Amusement Park")
Koffman spoke at the February 5th Sarasota city commission meeting4 about his idea for paid attractions, like mini-golf and a sky bar, at Ken Thompson Park5 on Lido key
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
The city commission referred the proposal to its Parks & Recreation (PREP) board.
Neighbors spoke against the commercialization plan6, pointing out that it violated the accessibility requirements of the city’s parks & public realm plan7.
Barrier island park preservationists held a rally for Ken Thompson Park8 at city hall.
To push for protective zoning for public parks, one resident gave a tongue-and-cheek pitch for putting a waterslide on City Hall.
After a reporter uncovered business ties between Commissioner Erik Arroyo and Park Golf Entertainment (the company behind the “mini-golf on steroids” pitch), the proposal was removed from the PREP board hearing.
WHERE DOES IT STAND?
After conflicted commissioner Arroyo9 failed to win re-election, the proposed paid putt putt project petered out.
The coalition of city neighborhood associations10 is advancing a resolution to the city to keep public parks green, open, and free of commercial development.
https://sarasota.granicus.com/player/clip/12064?view_id=84&redirect=true&h=0fe4031a46a92927b641756b78e4e64b
February 5, 2024 city commission video
https://sarasota.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=84&clip_id=9955&meta_id=584296
City of Sarasota 2019 Parks & Public Realm Master Plan