The Parade Grounds

Funded in part by Ross and Anne McKee, Margo Golan, Save a Tree Key West, Monroe County Tourist Development Council and Monroe County Project Manangement. Project administration by Monroe County Project Management. Architectural services provided by Bender and Associates Architects with landscaping consultation provided by Jeff Stotts.

The Parade Ground enhancements are part a multi-phase drainage project for Fort East Martello.  The long-term goal of the project is to reduce flooding caused, in part, by sea level rise, and to preserve the Civil War-era fortification.

With the improvements the Key West Art & Historical Society, in partnership with Monroe County Project Management, continues the work of Ross & Anne McKee and Margo Golan in creating an outdoor educational and community space at the Fort.  The McKees and Golan originally led efforts to create East Martello Park on the Parade Grounds in 1983.

Thanks to the generosity of Anne McKee and the McKee family, the Society has successfully raised $21,000 of the needed $31,000 to complete the landscaping portion of the project, which includes the planting of over 32 tropical and native trees.  To raise the remaining funds, the Society is collaborating with Save a Tree Key West on a ‘Plant-A-Tree’ Program.  Contribute today and help ‘Plant-A-Tree’!

Fort East Martello Parade Ground Enhancements Scope of Work:

• Raising ground elevation between 1’-4’
• Installation of exfiltration drainage systems and ground swell
• Upgraded electrical panels for the property
• Installation of 6’ perimeter fence
• Installation of 4 light and utility poles
• Installation of sod
• Planting of over 32 tropical and native trees
• New irrigation system