The growth coincides with the overall number of Hispanics that have moved to Cocoa during the same period. According to the U.S. Census, the city has a little more than 16,400 residents, 4.9 percent of which are Latino.

In addition to the diversity, many Sunrise Village residents credit the park’s renewed sense of community to its new owner, Riverstone Communities, which purchased the 49-acre community about two years ago.

The park is currently managed by Beverley Peterson, mother of Doug Peterson, one of Riverstone’s owners.

“We want our residents to know that the police are always around and want this to be an unfriendly environment for crime,” Peterson said.

Diana Sprouse, who works in the park’s administrative office and also is a resident, said the current management team has put several initiatives in place to promote a safer, more cohesive community.

“One of the biggest things is the zero-tolerance crime policy. Management has worked to get more of a presence in the park from the Cocoa Police Department and Brevard Sheriff’s Office,” she said, adding that Cocoa officers have stepped up their patrols of the area.

In addition, the management strengthened its screening process, said resident Jerry Christian, a Cocoa native who regularly volunteers to help clean and maintain the park.

“You can now see that more people are moving in here that take pride in this community,” he said.

Sprouse said administrators also have connections with several non-profit organizations in order to link residents to services and items they may need.

“We are making Sunrise Village a better community for ourselves and our families,” she said.

Paz-Mañon said another benefit for residents is the church service held each Sunday in the park’s community center. Services are offered in both Spanish and English.

“I like it very much. It feels so good to be to walk to church since it is not too far from my house,” she said.

Originally from the Santa Domingo in the Dominican Republic, Paz-Mañon is a Christian missionary who moved to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in order to spread the message to people about the importance of building a relationship with God.

“Being able to attend a church so close by helps me to feed my spirit and continue on with my mission,” she said, adding that it is great to be able to fellowship with her neighbors.

The mother of an 18-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son, Paz-Mañon added that the community allows her children to play with their friends that live in the park as well.

“This is a very kid-friendly community and my kids get a chance to see and play with their friends inside the park more than if they all lived in different neighborhoods,” she said.

Her son, Juan Carlos, said playing with friends in the park is one of the reasons why he is looking forward to school letting out for summer break.

“I plan on swimming in the pool and playing basketball. There are things to do here,” he said.

While his mother plans to continue her daily walks.

“Since we moved here, I have seen Sunrise improving each day. The people here may have come from different places, but it feels good to be a part of this community now,” she said.

 

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