Agenda 10/08/2019 Item #16H 2 (Murdo Smith Adaptive Sailing Center)10/08/2019
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Recommendation to officially name the special needs sailing area associated with Sugden Park the
Murdo Smith Adaptive Sailing Center.
OBJECTIVE: To consider a request to officially name a special needs sailing area at Sugden Park after
a long-time employee of the Parks and Recreation Division and former Parks and Recreation Advisory
Board member.
CONSIDERATIONS: Sugden Park provides waterskiing and sailing programs for people of all ages
and abilities. Currently, the program serves approximately 40-45 individuals with disabilities in the
special needs sailing program. This program is meant to provide not only sailing instruction, but also
developing life skills in the area of socialization with peers, effective communications with ot hers, and
developing recreational skills with others.
The participants sail each Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday from noon to 3PM. The
program serves individuals from group homes, independent caregivers, family members that are the
caregivers, Easter Seals program for the Developmentally Disabled, the Wounded Warriors program,
Veteran’s groups, Lighthouse for the Blind, local hospital rehabilitation patients and the STARability
program. The program also hosts children and adults with every type of disability from learning, speech,
intellectual disorders, Multiple Sclerosis, and survivors of accidents that have left the participants
paralyzed or missing limbs.
Murdo Smith was a long-time employee of Parks and Recreation, serving 35 years in the Division. After
he retired from the County he also served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He
dedicated his life to working to make others happy and he did all that he could to make sure that the
Division was considered one of the best in the state. Upon his retirement he also began volunteering for
the adaptive sailing program at Sugden Lake, where he helped those with physical and mental disabilities
to enjoy the sport.
Mr. Smith realized what this program meant to all the participants, their parents or caregivers. He looked
forward to serving these individuals each week, and they enjoyed him and his calm presence on the dock
while assisting these sailors.
His volunteer work involved providing outdoor cook outs for the participants, keeping the sailboats in top
condition, and helping those who participated in learning what was required to sail. He would help
participants in and out of the boats and always was encouraging to participants. Recently, Mr. Smith
passed away, and the participants who had worked with Murdo were deeply affected by his passing. Mr.
Smith would always have a positive word to say to the participants, greeting them as they arrived at the
park and providing support throughout their participation in the program.
After Mr. Smith’s death, a special memorial service was held at North Collier Regional Park in his honor.
Those associated with Mr. Smith after his 35 years of service with the Parks and Recreation Division, and
his 9 years as a volunteer at the special needs sailing area and as a Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
member gathered to remember his life. Over 400 individuals from the community came together to
provide support to his family on his sudden death and remember the impact he had both on the Collier
County Parks and Recreation Division and the community.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is a nominal fiscal impact related to the cost of providing a sign at the special
needs sailing area. These costs can be borne by the Parks and Recreation Division.
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GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: There is no growth management impact associated with this
item.
LEGAL CONSIDERATION: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to
form and legality, and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION: That the Board direct staff to officially rename the special needs sailing area
the Murdo Smith Adaptive Sailing Center.
Prepared By: Burt Saunders, Commissioner, District 3
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COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 16.H.2
Doc ID: 10368
Item Summary: Recommendation to officially name the special needs sailing area associated with
Sugden Park the Murdo Smith Adaptive Sailing Center.
Meeting Date: 10/08/2019
Prepared by:
Title: Operations Analyst – Parks & Recreation
Name: Matthew Catoe
10/01/2019 11:24 AM
Submitted by:
Title: Division Director - Parks & Recreation – Parks & Recreation
Name: Barry Williams
10/01/2019 11:24 AM
Approved By:
Review:
Parks & Recreation Ilonka Washburn Additional Reviewer Completed 10/01/2019 12:20 PM
Parks & Recreation Barry Williams Additional Reviewer Completed 10/01/2019 1:57 PM
Public Services Department Kimberley Grant Level 1 Reviewer Completed 10/01/2019 3:41 PM
Public Services Department Michael Cox Level 1 Division Reviewer Skipped 10/01/2019 3:45 PM
Public Services Department Steve Carnell Level 2 Division Administrator Review Completed 10/01/2019 3:52 PM
Office of Management and Budget Laura Wells Level 3 OMB Gatekeeper Review Completed 10/01/2019 3:53 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Level 3 County Attorney's Office Review Completed 10/01/2019 4:26 PM
Budget and Management Office Ed Finn Additional Reviewer Completed 10/01/2019 5:06 PM
County Manager's Office Leo E. Ochs Level 4 County Manager Review Completed 10/02/2019 10:56 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 10/08/2019 9:00 AM
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