- February 4, 2025
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People do an exercise during the OB Life Leisure and Culture workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Elysha Petschauer, executive director of the Ormond Beach Historical Society, speaks during the OB Life Leisure and Culture workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Leisure Services Director Robert Carolin speaks during the OB Life Leisure and Culture workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Memorial Art Museum Director Susan Richmond speaks during the OB Life Leisure and Culture workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 23. Photo by Jarleene Almenas
Ormond Beach's parks, museum and historical relevance were highlighted during the latest OB Life workshop at Calvary Christian Academy Kids Center on Tuesday, Oct. 23.
The fifth installment of the city's civic engagement series dived into the topic of leisure and culture in Ormond Beach. About 60 people attended the workshop, and their feedback will be used to aid the City Commission in updating the city's strategic plan.
"Our leisure and culture amenities are really what enhance our city," said Mayor Bill Partington at the workshop's start.
Although the city has 46 parks, Leisure Services Director Robert Carolin focused his presentation on just a few: Andy Romano Beachfront Park, Rockefeller Gardens and Central Park. Carolin said out of those three, Andy Romano is special because it was a product of a 2010 voter referendum that allowed the city to buy the property.
"Now that was done in the worst economic decline since the Great Depression, and I'm telling you, if that doesn't speak volumes to what you guys can do as a community, I don't know what else to say about it," Carolin said. "I think very few communities out there will ever be able to say that. We can say that."
Carolin also spoke about some of the 72 facilities in the city, including the Environmental Discovery Center, Ormond Beach Performing Arts Center and The Casements. His presentation also included information about the city's leisure services programs, like the Shining Stars Pageant, Movies on the Halifax and youth sports.
Ormond Memorial Art Museum Director Susan Richmond also informed the attendees of the free art outreach programs at the museum. Last year, the museum hosted more than 2,000 hours of these programs, she said.
Richmond said the museum has had a partnership with the city for more than 70 years.
"As a fellow resident, I'm really proud because that's how it should work," Richmond said.
The last presentation of the workshop was done by Elysha Petschauer, executive director of the Ormond Beach Historical Society. She walked the audience through some fun facts about Ormond's history, including who it is named after (James Ormond II). The word "beach" was added in 1950s to attract tourism, Petschauer said.
During the audience questions portion of the workshop, the future of the MacDonald House and its second floor was asked. Petschauer said that with future city support, the Historical Society would love to turn the second story into a museum.
“Hopefully, someday we’ll be able to do that," Petschauer said.
Further repairs on the MacDonald House will be starting soon.
The next OB Life workshop is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 27, and it will explore the topic of economic development.
