Higgs Beach in Key West had long been a redheaded stepchild of the Monroe County parks system.

Because aggressive drunks and vagrants congregated at the park, many local parents were afraid to take their children to the neighboring Astro Park playground. And tourists sunning themselves and swimming at Higgs Beach braved unpleasant restrooms and frequent harassment.

However, much has changed in the past year, and people have begun to return to the county-owned beach. Many more changes are on the horizon.

Last week, the Monroe County Commission approved a $132,000 contract for local architect Bill Horn to develop a master plan for Higgs Beach and the adjacent playground and tennis court areas. County government and an ad-hoc committee it formed, along with the nonprofit Friends of Higgs Beach, are generating ideas for the area -- including a fitness and biking trail, playground improvements, more trees and a covered yoga platform, said County Commissioner Heather Carruthers, who represents the area.

There also are plans to make Higgs Beach the final stop on the Overseas Heritage Trail, a multimillion-dollar state transportation project that includes a continuous biking and running trail from Key West to Key Largo. The end of the trail could have a multipurpose visitor center, said Michael Behmke, a member of Friends of Higgs Beach.

Through the master plan, the county also hopes to help clean up nearshore waters, Carruthers said. The beaches running from Higgs Beach to Smathers Beach are some of the dirtier beaches in Key West when it comes to water quality.

It could be months -- possibly a year -- before the ideas are put into place. However, beach patrons will see immediate changes starting Monday. That's when the county will begin a $15,000, monthlong bathroom renovation project at the beach. Beach patrons have long complained about the dark and dirty bathrooms.

The county Public Works Department will install three new windows and light fixtures in each of the bathrooms. The county also will install new water pipes, low-flow toilets and partitions, said Johnny King, a senior public works director.

"It's going to be a lot cleaner and brighter," King said.

The county and its ad-hoc committee plan to hold a series of meetings to hear residents' thoughts and ideas about the long-term master plan. A lingering issue that must be resolved is what to do with a section of Atlantic Boulevard that runs between the beach and Astro Park playground. The only bathroom for the entire park is on the beach side of the road, and the children's playground is on the other side. That makes for unsafe conditions for children who now must cross in an area with no set crosswalk.

The road is a sensitive issue, as residents along the neighboring Casa Marina Court do not want extra traffic diverted onto their street, which is one block over from the beach. Several years ago, plans to spruce up Higgs Beach included a proposal to remove that stretch of Atlantic Boulevard, connecting the beach and the playground. The plan was heavily opposed by Casa Marina Court residents, and eventually was abandoned because of lack of support.

tohara@keysnews.com