CORAL SPRINGS, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — A long-running community fixture inside a Broward County park is now at the center of a growing local pushback, as Coral Springs officials evaluate the future of an RC car track that has operated for more than three decades.
The Coral Springs RC Track, located at Richard D. Petrillo Park, has served as a gathering place for hobbyists since the early 1990s. Regular weekend races draw families, kids, and competitors from across South Florida and beyond. Some say it’s more than a track — it’s where they learned mechanical skills, met friends, and stayed connected to a shared interest.
Now, that space is in question.
A petition circulating online calls on the City of Coral Springs to preserve the track, citing its longstanding role in the community and its use as a nonprofit, volunteer-maintained facility. Organizers argue the site provides a safe, inclusive environment for all ages and has hosted regional and national-level events over the years.
“The track has been around far too long and provided memories for far too many people to let it disappear,” one supporter wrote. Another described it as “a breeding ground for some of the most talented drivers in the state,” adding that volunteers maintain the facility without profit.
The concern stems from potential redevelopment plans tied to the park, though specific project details have not been outlined publicly. Residents involved in the track say those discussions have not fully accounted for the social and educational value the site brings.
The City of Coral Springs confirmed the facility is under review, citing both structural and administrative issues tied to the site.
“The agreement with the RC Car Organization expired in 2011,” the city said. “At this time, the city has deemed the structure built onsite as unsafe. The Building Department, alongside Code Enforcement, are working with the RC Car Organization to restore it, as well as an updated agreement for use of this city amenity.”
That framing suggests the issue is not solely redevelopment, but also compliance and safety.
Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen acknowledged the petition and community feedback, writing that she has reviewed the concerns and is open to further input from residents. She directed community members to contact her directly or attend office hours to discuss the issue.
The track’s supporters say they’re willing to work with the city to bring the site into compliance and keep it operational. Several point to the broader impact — including visitors traveling hours to compete and spending money at nearby businesses — as part of the track’s footprint.
Others note a visibility issue. Some longtime residents say they were unaware the track existed within the park, raising questions about how the space is promoted and used relative to other city amenities.
For now, no final decision has been announced.
What happens next will likely hinge on two parallel tracks: whether the RC organization can address safety concerns flagged by city officials, and whether city leadership moves forward with any redevelopment plans for the park.
Residents who use the facility are continuing to gather signatures and push for formal recognition of the track as a permanent feature of the park.
The outcome will determine whether one of Coral Springs’ more niche — but deeply rooted — community spaces remains in place or gives way to new uses.
See the change.org petition.
For more updates across the area, see our Coral Springs News coverage.
