Lights for the ball field or water fountains?

Those are the two options proposed for improving George English Park in Fort Lauderdale. And city commissioners will eventually have the final say.

For residents of the city’s Coral Ridge neighborhood, the argument began over how to spend $150,000 the city originally earmarked for park improvements. The discussion sparked two meetings of the Coral Ridge Civic Association last week.

The issue has split residents into two camps: one in favor of lighting the park’s ball field, and the other focused on amenities such as awnings, drinking fountains and landscaping, which would serve park users of all ages.

Scott Tilbrook, vice president of the Fort Lauderdale Little League, asked residents to propose buying lights.

“It’s a city park; it’s zoned for lights,” he said. “There are 10 teams using the field now, and there isn’t enough practice time."

“I want to make sure the kids get adequate use of the park,” association member Al Massey said. “But we’ve got to protect the interests of the park.