Palm Beach Gardens residents fight $100M spring training plan

The proposal for a $100 million spring training baseball stadium in Palm Beach Gardens’ private single-family home community of Shady Lakes is striking out with residents.

Plans call for transforming a walking path under power lines near Timber Trace Elementary and Watson B. Duncan Middle schools into a four-lane extension of Shady Lakes Drive, the Palm Beach Post reported. This would connect the road with another road that not only gives access to the two schools but also the training site.

The proposed complex, reserved for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Houston Astros, would feature 12 practice fields, a stadium and parking on the grass. If approved, Palm Beach Gardens would demolish City Park, a tiny park with basketball and racquetball courts.

More than 100 residents have signed a petition in opposition, arguing that attendees of the game could drink and have tailgate parties in close proximity to the schools. Fran Hunt, a resident, told the Palm Beach Post she is worried the complex would decrease her home’s value. She requested the installation of a guard gate at the Shady Lakes entrance. [Palm Beach Post] — Mark Maurer