NSB's park advisory board to consider renaming a North Beach park in honor of the late Grayce Barck

Courtesy photo. The New Smyrna Beach City Commission has asked its Parks and Recreation Advisory Park to consider naming a park in the North Beach "Grayce Barck Park" in honor of the late activist who died March 1 at the age of 82.

NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- City Commissioner Lynne Plaskett was the last visitor to see 82-year-old Grayce Barck before she died March 1 at the Southeast Volusia Care Center of Hospice of Volusia/Flagler.

"Grayce was the most wonderful person," Plaskette said later that day. "I've known Grayce for many, many years."

Former Mayor Sally Mackay, who visited Barck just before Plaskette said of her North Beach neighbor, "She was my friend" adding she did a lot of good for the city with the Florida Inland Navigation District.

Plaskette asked at Tuesday's City Commission meeting that a park in the North Beach neighborhood be renamed "Barck Park." But she ran into opposition, not because her colleagues were opposed.

Mayor Adam Barranger suggested if the park were to be renamed it should be called Grayce Barck Park, otherwise it would sound like a place people would take their dogs.

Commissioner Jim Hathaway suggested the issue be sent to to the city's Parks Advisory Board for review and a recommendation.

"I don't think you'll be soured by what they recommend," Hathaway told Plaskett.

Hathaway's recommendation was unanimously agreed upon by Plaskett, Barringer and Commissioners Jack Grasty and Judy Reiker.