Playground at Fred Poppe Regional Park Closing Sept. 15 for Warranty Repairs
The playground at Fred Poppe Regional Park, Palm Bay’s largest all-inclusive play area, will close Sept. 15 for warranty repairs to its rubber surface.
Palm Bay, FL – The City of Palm Bay announced that the playground at Fred Poppe Regional Park, also known as Palm Bay Regional Park, will close beginning Monday, September 15, 2025. The closure is necessary to complete warranty repairs addressing discoloration in the playground’s rubber surfacing.
Repairs are expected to take approximately two weeks, depending on weather conditions. During this period, the park grounds, PAL restroom, and pavilion will remain open to the public. Families are advised, however, that the playground itself will not be accessible.
Guests who have reserved the PAL pavilion specifically to use the playground are encouraged to contact the Recreation staff at (321) 952-3231 to discuss their options.
“The City of Palm Bay appreciates the community’s patience and understanding as these improvements are made to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our park facilities,” the announcement stated.
Fred Poppe Regional Park Playground Closure
Closure begins: Monday, Sept. 15, 2025
Reason: Warranty repairs to rubber surfacing discoloration
Duration: Approximately two weeks, weather permitting
Park Access During Repairs
Park grounds, PAL restroom, and pavilion will remain open
Playground not accessible during work
Pavilion renters impacted by closure can call (321) 952-3231
About the Playground and Park
Fred Poppe Regional Park features the city’s largest all-inclusive playground, completed in early 2025 after a full replacement project.
Key features include:
Accessibility: Rubber surfacing, wheelchair ramps, and connected sidewalks for 360-degree access.
Swings: Six swing bays with parent-child, inclusive, and adult options.
Play Elements: Three raised playmounts, seven slides, a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round, climbing boulder, activity panels, and shade structures with climbing nets.
The new playground was part of a $499,921 replacement project funded in the FY 2021 and FY 2024 budgets. Demolition of the old equipment began in January 2025, with installation completed in February.
Broader Park Development
Fred Poppe Regional Park, renamed Palm Bay Regional Park by City Council resolution, spans over 200 acres and remains about 67% built out. Originally developed in the early 1990s, it was once classified as an Urban District Park but is now considered a community park.
The city has engaged Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. to create a comprehensive master plan for the park’s future. This effort will guide land use for future amenities such as pickleball courts, supporting infrastructure, and trail systems. Most improvements identified in the plan are intended to be funded with impact fees, which are collected from new residential developments.
📞 For more information on the closure, contact the Palm Bay Parks & Facilities Department at (321) 726-2777.