The new agreement would be different because St. Stephen’s would no longer have to pay for a park permit.

School principal Silvia Larrauri said nothing would really change.

“We’re already using the park,” she said. “This gives us the opportunity to spruce it up a little and give back to the community. Hopefully, we will inspire other groups to get involved in the revitalization of the park.”

But some Coconut Grove residents don’t think a private school should have exclusive use of a neighborhood park.

“Public parks should not be rented out to wealthy private schools just because they have no other way to expand,” said Harry Emilio Gottlieb, a Coconut Grove activist. “Parks belong to the community.”

Gottlieb called for a public referendum to “permit the community to vote on what is best for them.”

Community members will have the opportunity to voice their opinions when the agreement comes before the City Commission. That will likely happen next month, Sarnoff’s chief of staff Ron Nelson said.

Plans for Peacock Park have spurred controversy before.

Former Commissioner Johnny Winton once tried to build a roller hockey pavilion on the grounds. But the Friends of Peacock Park and other community activists blocked the move, saying roller hockey wasn’t the right fit.

The group organized a charrette in 2004 to generate new ideas for the park. But members say their ideas fell on deaf ears at City Hall.

Terry concedes that the Friends of Peacock Park isn’t as active as the group used to be. But he said Sarnoff should have reached out to the group when drawing up the plans for a revitalized Peacock Park.

He likes the idea of the Glass House becoming a community center once again, and says local activists have other ideas to share.

“It’s frustrating,” Terry said. “The park has so much potential.”