On May 24, 2022, the County held a special dedication ceremony at the Fred Ayres Memorial Playground at Pineapple Park in Jensen Beach. The playground is the first of its kind in Martin County – 4,500 square feet of pure fun, a place for children to laugh and play with old friends and meet new ones, a place that honors a man who gave back to this community and continues to do so through his legacy.
The Ayres family started with a vision, paired it with a generous donation and approached the County with a way to honor their father while giving a lasting gift to the community. The playground is an exceptional example of the wonderful things that can be achieved with the support of private entities and individuals for the benefit of an entire community. Commissioner Doug Smith, Chairman and District 1 Commissioner, worked closely with the Ayres family, Parks & Recreation and Capital Projects staff, a playground design team and construction firm to turn the vision into an award-winning playground featuring equipment that follows best practices in youth fitness, a permanent roof structure, air circulation fans, lighting, water fountains, park benches and picnic tables.
“The generous gift from the Ayres family will have a lasting impact on the community and aligns with Martin County Parks and Recreation’s mission to improve quality of life and satisfy the community’s needs for recreation, fitness and leisure,” said Kevin Abbate, Martin County Parks & Recreation Director.
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