Max K. Rodes Park is the home of the Greater West Melbourne Athletic Association. Located at the west end of Flanagan Ave. in West Melbourne, Florida, this 134 acre Brevard County park includes athletic fields, an 18,000 square foot community center, outdoor basketball courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, pedestrian walkways, and nature conservation areas.
Who was Max K. Rodes?
Maxwell Kennedy Rodes (1905-1960) was a member of a Melbourne pioneer family who served on the Brevard Board of County Commissioners from 1939 to 1960. He was chairman of that board for eight years, and was greatly responsible for the formation of the county's Recreation Department. Mr. Rodes graduated from Melbourne High School in 1922, where he was a pitcher for the school's baseball team. He played baseball, basketball, and other sports while attending the University of Florida in 1924 and 1925. Back in Melbourne after college, he worked in the grocery business with his uncle, John B. Rodes, who was also a Brevard County Commissioner. He was a member of the 1924 Melbourne Magnolias, a semi-professional baseball team from Brevard County. He was married to Gladys Kindel, and had three children. Shortly after his death in 1960, the Greater West Melbourne Recreation Committee unanimously voted to name the original 18-acre park on Minton Road in his honor. In July 2011, the name of the park was transferred to a new 134-acre park located at the west end of Flanagan Ave. behind the original park.
The Original Rodes Park
The original Max K. Rodes Park is located at 3000 Minton Road in West Melbourne. In 2011, the park became a municipal park of the City of West Melbourne. This 18-acre park continues to serve the community providing athletic fields, playgrounds, a skate park, and a splash park. The original park on Minton Road was named in honor of Mr. Rodes in 1960. His name was transferred to the new, 134-acre park in 2011.
The Current Rodes Park
The current Max K. Rodes Park opened with a ceremony on July 16, 2011.
Historic Photos of West Melbourne Sports
West Melbourne Football & Cheerleading began in 1971. Below are photos of the original Cowboys football team and cheer squad.
Back Row: Vicki Wells, Maria Domincis, Pam Covey, Geri Olmstead, Mary Beth Slentz