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Officials dedicate park to Rosen brothers — Cape Coral founders

By Staff | May 1, 2009
GRAY ROHRER Cape Coral City Manager Terry Stewart speaks to residents Thursday at the dedication of Rosen Park.
Left to right, Cape historian Paul Sanborn, Cape Coral Fire Department Operations Chief Tom Tomich, Councilmember Gloria Tate, Councilmember Dolores Bertolini, Mayor Jim Burch, Councilmember Derrick Donnell and Councilmember Pete Brandt unveil the new Rosen Park Thursday.

More than 50 years after Leonard and Jack Rosen bought the land that would become Cape Coral, they have a park named after them in the city.
Rosen Park, located on the southeast side of the intersection at Southeast 24th Avenue and Southeast 15th Terrace, was dedicated Thursday in honor of the brothers.
Cape historian Paul Sanborn, who worked with the Rosen brothers for 13 years, said their vision was the first step toward what would become Cape Coral today.
“I had the opportunity to work with them to build a city,” he said.
Sanborn cautioned, though, that the vision the Rosens had did not encompass a burgeoning center of suburban sprawl.
“No way did they ever have an idea it would be what it is today,” he said.
The 14-acre park includes a boat ramp with access to the Chantry Canal, which connects to the Caloosahatchee River. Other amenities include 57 boat parking spaces, restrooms and a waterfront boardwalk.
The city bought the property in 2000 for $2.1 million and had design plans for the park as early as 2003, but federal and state environmental regulators took 4 1/2 years to sanction the plans.
City leaders lauded the new park.
“I have no doubt in my mind that we can all look at this project and say that it contributes to a better quality of life in Cape Coral,” City Manager Terry Stewart said.
Mayor Jim Burch praised the work of the Parks and Recreation Department on the park.
“They’ve done an outstanding job here. I think it’s an outstanding park,” he said.
Councilmember Gloria Tate said the park is a suitable way to honor the city’s founding fathers.
“There isn’t anything more fitting than a waterfront park for the brothers who started the water wonderland,” Tate said.