March 2010 Broward County Parks Newsletter

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MARCH 2010

Find Yourself – At a Broward County Park

Focus on C.B. ParkThe county park system’s most popular park, C.B. Park in Pembroke Pines, celebrates its 28th birthday on March 13, the latest chapter in its long, complicated history as a piece of public land.

The property that was later to become the park apparently became a part of the county at some unidentified point in the past when the owners fell behind in their taxes. The county then sold the land to the federal government, which used it as a firing range for the Naval Flexible Gunnery School. The county purchased the property back in the 1950s, reportedly for $14.50 per acre, and eventually sold all but the 299 acres that make up the present-day park.

Although undeveloped, the land became known locally as Snake Creek Park. Then, in 1967, it was formally named for Charlie Barney , a former Broward County commissioner and City of Hollywood commissioner who had championed the cause of public land for parks. In the 1970s the site gained popularity as a rustic picnic spot, although there were no amenities to speak of, not even fresh drinking water.

In 1976, the land was leased by the South Broward Park District, which broke ground there on December 16, 1978. Three years and three months later, on March 13, 1982, the district opened C.B. Park to the public. When the state legislature dissolved the South Broward Park District in 1988, the park became a regional park in the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division.

The park’s growth in popularity seemed all but predestined, given the westward expansion of Broward County in the 1980s and ’90s. Today the park attracts more annual visitors than any other county park. Not bad for a piece of land that, over the years, was considered as a site for a landfill, the location for a Miami Dolphins stadium, and an outpost of what was then known as Broward Community College (now Broward College).

One of the Parks and Recreation Division’s most diverse parks, C.B. includes the All Golf center, which offers a driving range, a miniature golf course, and batting cages; a lighted tennis and racquetball complex with a pro shop; and areas for volleyball, horseshoes, and basketball. Sports equipment rentals are available, as are boat rentals, and there’s a path for biking and jogging. Playgrounds and picnic areas can be found throughout the park, and fishing is permitted from three piers and elsewhere on the park’s waters, except in the marina area. Safety Town, a program of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, is a miniature two-block village designed to teach children pedestrian and bicycle safety.

The park’s lakeside campground is equipped with 71 RV sites, all with electricity, water, grills, and sewer hookups. There are also heated showers, a laundry facility, and restrooms in the campground area. Among the park’s many rental facilities are two corporate pavilions (capacity 300 each), a meeting cabin (300), five extra-large shelters (81-160), six large shelters (46-80), and nine medium shelters (30-45).

For years the park was known for its waterslides, tube ride, and swim lagoon, all of which closed at the end of the season in September 2003. A dramatically expanded and revamped 4.69-acre facility called Paradise Cove opened in April 2004. Among its features: Parrot’s Point, a 12-inch-deep pool with two small waterslides and other interactive play elements designed for ages 5 and under; Sharky’s Lagoon, an 18-inch-deep pool with three waterslides (83, 98, and 125 feet long) and other interactive play elements; Crazy Creek, a 410-foot-long meandering tube ride with interactive play elements along the route; H2Whoa!, two 450-foot-long waterslides; the Paradise Grill and Sand Dollar concession facilities; and 11 Funbrellas,

20-foot-diameter umbrellas (capacity 30) with picnic tables, available by rental.

C.B. has also earned a reputation as an ideal site for large-scale events. A five-acre island is home to the 5,000-capacity Concert Green, an open-air amphitheater that for many years hosted the annual Love & Jazz Valentine’s Concert. A nearby special event field has for 22 of the past 25 years been the location for the 99.9 KISS Country Chili Cookoff, which includes a concert featuring some of the top acts in country music.

?: C.B. , .

+

BCT: Routes #3, #5, #7, #23, and 95 Express.

Also Celebrating Birthdays This Month• Quiet Waters Park – 27 years

• Plantation Heritage Park’s Fountain Meeting Room – 16

• Barkham at Markham Dog Park – 5

• Boulevard Gardens Community Center – 4

• Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center - 2

Commit 2B Fit!® + Good Nutrition = Good HealthMarch is National Nutrition Month® as designated by the American Dietetic Association, and the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division encourages patrons to get plenty of exercise and make healthy food choices. Here’s an easy granola energy mix for your next hike in the park. Feel free to adapt to your preferences.

3 cups rolled oats

½ cup raisins

½ cup sweetened dried cranberries

½ cup sliced almonds

½ cup chopped pecans

½ cup nonfat dry milk powder

½ cup wheat germ

1/3 cup sunflower seeds

¼ cup sesame seeds

¼ cup sugar, or equivalent amount of artificial sweetener

¼ cup unsweetened coconut

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup canola oil

¼ cup honey

Combine the oats, raisins, cranberries, almonds, pecans, dry milk powder, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, sugar, coconut, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl and mix well. Add the canola oil and honey and stir until coated.

Spread the mixture on a large baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake in a preheated 250-degree oven for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Let stand until cool and store in an airtight container. Yield: 14 servings, 380 calories per serving.

The above recipe is from Simply Florida, a cookbook offered by the Florida Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and the University of Florida/IFAS. The cookbook celebrates all that is Florida food – sun-ripened fruit, the freshest seafood, and farm-fresh vegetables – and is filled with recipes suitable for vegetarians as well as meat eaters. Readers will also find safe food preparation tips, nutritional analysis of recipes, and information on agriculture and food production in Florida.

?: Extension Education Section, .

$: $25/book at www.simplyflorida.org.

Make a Splash!……at a Broward County Park, where three of our four aquatics facilities reopen for the season in March. Starting on Saturday, March 6, the following water parks will be open on weekends only, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Paradise Cove at C.B. Park in Pembroke Pines; Tropical Splash at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill; and Castaway Island at T.Y. Park in Hollywood. No sessions will be in effect. (Splash Adventure at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach is undergoing renovations and will reopen later in the season.) The same schedule will also be in effect the week of Monday, March 29 through Friday, April 2.

And while you’re at our water parks, enhance your visit by reserving one of our colorful, 20-foot-diameter Funbrellas, which can accommodate parties of up to 30 people. Rentals are $35 on weekdays, $75 on weekends and holidays. Call the park office of your choice for additional information.

?: Paradise Cove, ; Tropical Splash, ; Castaway Island, .

$: Fees vary by park. Call for details.

+

BCT: C.B. – Routes #3, #5, #7, #23, and 95 Express; Central Broward Regional – Routes #18, #36, #40, and #81; T.Y. – Routes #3, #12, and #17.

Water of LifeWater is an integral component of the quality of life to both residents and visitors alike in Broward County. This month two major events in parks attest to the importance water holds in our lives, in terms of both recreation and daily life.

The county’s largest environmental event, the 33rd Annual Waterway Cleanup: Where Green Meets Blue, returns to Broward from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 6. The event is organized by the Marine Industries of South Florida (MIASF) in cooperation with civil, public, and private partners to promote environmental awareness and responsibility. This year more than two dozen sites will be participating, including the Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park in Hollywood, lin Park and Reverend Delevoe Park in Fort Lauderdale, and Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach.

Last year the event attracted approximately 2,900 volunteers to work at waterfront locations and on floating sites on the Intracoastal Waterway. Nearly 41 tons of trash and debris was collected from the county’s roughly 300 miles of navigable waterways, canals, and shorelines. Participants should wear clothes that they don’t mind getting dirty, as well as gloves and shoes. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and drinking water are also recommended.

The second event that will focus on water quality and conservation is Water Matters Day: Saving Water Makes $ense, scheduled for Saturday, March 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tree Tops Park in Davie. Now in its eighth year, the county’s signature water event educates residents on what they can do to protect our drinking-water supplies. Among the relevant topics covered will be water conservation techniques, smart irrigation, and native landscaping.

This family-oriented event includes live music (by environmental folk singer Grant Livingston), more than 40 educational booths, giveaways, hands-on activities, children’s workshops, and more. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. The Broward County Board of County Commissioners, the School Board of Broward County, and the South Florida Water Management District partner for the event.

?: Call MIASF, , e-mail waterwaycleanup@..., or visit the Waterway Cleanup Website; or call Tree Tops, , or visit the Water Matters Website.

+ (Water Matters Day only)

BCT: Routes #12 (Anne Kolb); #11, #36, and #40 (lin); #11 and #40 (Delevoe); and #6 (Secret Woods).

The Ride of Your LifeLast year more than 40,000 bicyclists in 80 events raised nearly $17 million to support the mission of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), which is “to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.†This year you can be part of that ongoing effort by participating in the Southeast Florida Tour de Cure, which takes place starting at 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, at C.B. Park in Pembroke Pines.

The Tour de Cure is a nationwide series of fundraising cycling events in 43 states to benefit the ADA. The event is a ride, not a race, with routes designed for everyone from the casual rider to the veteran cyclist. Rest stops, food, and fans help riders along the way. Rides from 10 miles to 100 miles are part of the event, and there will also be starting-line ceremonies and a post-ride celebration. Riders and their friends and families will be able to enjoy food, kids’ activities, celebrity appearances, and live entertainment throughout the day.

This is a Commit 2B Fit® – It Starts in Parks event, as well as part of Florida Bicycle Month 2010. Other bicycle events will be offered throughout the County. Follow this link for details.

?: C.B. , ; Event Manager Hawken, , ext. 3117, or khawken@...; ADA, 1-888-DIABETES.

$: Call for fees.

R: Preregistration is required.

+

BCT: Routes #3, #5, #7, #23, and 95 Express.

Parks = BirdsDid you know that of the more than 250 species of birds that make South Florida either their temporary or their permanent homes, more than 200 species have been sighted in Broward County parks and natural areas? The region’s vast diversity of plant communities is the reason for such abundance. Hardwood hammocks, cypress/maple wetlands, and pine flatwoods are among the habitats preserved in our parks, both for human recreation and wildlife habitat.

One way to learn more about the feathered friends that make parks their home is to go on a bird walk or hike. From 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 6, Deerfield Island Park in Deerfield Beach will offer a Volunteer-Led Bird Walk. This free program, open to all ages, is a rare opportunity to explore the historic island park under the guidance of an experienced volunteer birder. Preregistration is required, and since tour space is limited, early registration is recommended.

Then, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 26, you can join a park naturalist for a Sunset Bird Hike at Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center in Davie. The park is a virtual magnet for birds at this time of day, and this interpretive hike along the nature trails will focus on these avian residents. There is a $3 fee, and preregistration is required by the day before the hike.

?: Deerfield Island, ; Long Key, .

$: $3/person (Long Key only).

R: Preregistration is required for both programs.

BCT: Routes #48 and #50 (Deerfield Island only).

On the Move To End Alzheimer’sMemory Walk is the country’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support, and research, and on Saturday, March 20, Hollywood North Beach Park in Hollywood will host the 2010 Broward Memory Walk. Registration starts at 7:30 a.m., with the walk beginning at 9 a.m.

All funds raised benefit the Alzheimer’s Association, whose mission is “to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.†Since 1989, Memory Walk has raised more than $260 million for the cause. This is a Commit 2B Fit® – It Starts in Parks event.

?: Hollywood North Beach, ; 1-888-959-WALK (9255), or linda.shaifer@....

$: Call for fees.

R: Registration starts at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event.

BCT: Routes #4 and #12.

Can You Dig It?March is Florida Archaeology Month, a statewide event that, according to the event Website, “encourages Floridians and visitors to learn more about the archaeology and history of our state, and to preserve these important parts of Florida’s rich cultural heritage. On a more local scale, you can learn more about the archaeological significance of your county parks this month at Uncover Our Past Archaeology Day. Displays, guest speakers, walking tours, and children’s activities will be included in this event, which runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 13 at the Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park in Hollywood. The cost is $1 for Exhibit Hall entry.

?: Anne Kolb, ; www.flarchmonth.com.

$: $1/person Exhibit Hall entry.

BCT: Route #12.

The Mane Attraction This SpringGiddyup and get yourself on over to the Tradewinds Park Stables in Coconut Creek for Spring Break Equestrian Camp, for ages 9 to 16. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily from Monday, March 29 through Thursday, April 1, and the fee is $60 per day.

Instruction includes breeds and colors of horses; anatomy of the horse; appropriate riding equipment, tack, and general care of the horse in the show ring and on the trails; nutrition and feeding; and horse care – routine, preventive, and therapeutic maintenance. Other activities include videos, indoor/outdoor games, and farm activities. Children must provide their own lunches and snacks. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required, and participants must also bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. A release and waiver of liability must be completed and signed at the time of registration.

?: Tradewinds Stables, .

$: $60/person per day.

R: Preregistration is required.

BCT: Route #34.

Bugs!They creep through the tall grass and crawl up a wall. They fly, swim, and hop with no trouble at all. They’re bugs, and they’re just waiting for you to check them out at Insect-igations, a free program at Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach, from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 28. Entomologist Bardunias of the University of Florida will be there, and he’s bringing some of his favorite insects for you to observe and “insect-igate.†The program will also include crafts and other activities.

?: Secret Woods, .

BCT: Route #6.

Renaissance Festival Winds DownDon’t miss your chance to vicariously experience the Renaissance, a fascinating period in history when Europe made the transition from the dark ages into the modern era, a transformation marked by revelry and excess in costume and cuisine. The 2010 Florida Renaissance Festival, now in its 18th year, is winding down at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, where its annual reenactment continues on weekends through Sunday, March 14.

The festival hosts visiting kings and queens, all claiming land for their countries. This year’s village is also packed with artisans and crafts people selling and demonstrating their wares, along with food and drink of the time. Nearly a dozen stages feature continuous entertainment.

?: Quiet Waters, ; Florida Renaissance Festival, .

$: Tickets: $20/ages 12 and up, $7/ages 6-11, 5 and under free; group rates also available.

+: Additional park gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free).

BCT: Routes #14 and #48.

Family FunHow long has it been since you’ve been on an old-fashioned hayride? If the answer is “Too long,†head on over to Hollywood’s T.Y. Park, which is holding a Family Hayride and Campfire, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 26. Enjoy an evening with family and friends as you take a hayride around the park, then roast marshmallows and hot dogs and drink hot chocolate around the campfire. Groups are welcome, although if there are 15 or more of you, you’ll need a reservation.

?: T.Y., .

$: $3/person (ages 3 and up) per ride; refreshments available for purchase.

BCT: Routes #3, #12, and #17.

St. Paddy’s 4 MilerSt. ’s Day isn’t until March 17, but you can get a head start on the fun by participating in (or watching) the St. Paddy’s 4 Miler, scheduled for Saturday, March 13 at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek. The run/walk begins at 7 a.m., followed by the Youth Mile at 7:45 a.m. and the Munchkin Dash (ages 12 and under) at 8 a.m. Advance registration is available online or in person (through March 12) at Running Wild (1133 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale) and Runner’s Edge (3195 N. Federal Hwy., Boca Raton). This is a Commit 2B Fit®

– It Starts in Parks event.

?: Tradewinds, ; Greater Fort Lauderdale Road Runners, .

$: Fees vary by category and registration date.

R: Available in advance online, or in person at the locations listed above.

+

BCT: Route #34.

Volunteers Give Their All at Markham Park NurserySaturday, February 13 was chilly by South Florida standards – low 40’s – not to mention the day before Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year’s. But that didn’t stop 93 volunteers from showing up at the Markham Park Nursery for a planting project. Held in conjunction with Disney’s “Give a Day, Get a Day†initiative to encourage volunteerism, the project attracted mostly families, but everyone who participated got a free Disney day pass for their efforts.

The morning’s activities got under way at 8:30 a.m. with registration. Half an hour later, the volunteers had all been assigned to groups and were busy planting 600 caladium bulbs, followed by 500 slash pine seedlings.

The group was a diverse one that spanned the generations. Many children were among them, the youngest a 7-year-old boy who hauled a plant-filled wagon through the nursery many times over the course of the three hours – like a pint-sized postman, neither mud nor water nor bumpy paths kept him from his assigned task of getting the plants to their destination. One family swept the pads, which were covered with dead leaves from the last cold snap. Another family spaced the plants into neat lines. One enterprising woman did a full inventory, counting all the plants that were installed, a total of 2,423 by the end of the project.

No one complained, and no one took a break. Nursery staffers who worked with the group were impressed by how hard-working they were and hope to have other volunteers who are as committed for future projects.

For further information about volunteer opportunities at Broward County Parks, call the Volunteer Coordinator at .

Advisory Board NoticeThe public is invited to the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, which is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 3. The meeting will take place at Fern Forest Nature Center, 201 Lyons Rd. South, Coconut Creek, . For more information, follow this link.

BCT: Routes #31 and #42.

Highlights Goes ElectronicThe monthly newsletter of the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division is now available only as an electronic publication. Pass this information on to friends and family so they can sign up and become part of the Division’s online community. You will receive the latest information about upcoming events and special programs, as well as park news, via our monthly e-newsletter. To sign up, send your name and e-mail address to ParksMarketing@....

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations in order to participate in County programs, services, and activities must contact the Special Populations Section at or TTY at least ten (10) business days prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request an accommodation.

Key to Symbols ?: Call the number indicated for further information about the event.

$: Participation fees.

R: Registration requirements.

+: Plus park gate entrance fee on weekends/holidays;

$1.50/person (children 5 and under free).

BCT: Park accessible from Broward County Transit bus route.

Events Calendar

Quote of the Month“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.â€

- British statesman Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)

Special AttractionsBatting CagesC.B. Park Butterfly WorldTradewinds Park

CampingC.B. Park Easterlin Park Markham Park Quiet Waters Park T.Y. Park Dog Park

Markham Park

Educational Farm

Tradewinds Park

Exhibit HallsAnne Kolb Nature Center atWest Lake Park

Fern Forest Nature Center

Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center

Secret Woods Nature Center

Fox Observatory

Markham Park

Golf FacilitiesC.B. Park Multipurpose Athletic Fields

Piccolo Park

Central Broward Regional Park

Tradewinds Park

Racquet Centers Piccolo Park C. B. Park Riding StablesTradewinds Park Tree Tops Park Skate Parks/Tracks Piccolo Park Quiet Waters Park Ski Rixen Cable Water-SkiingQuiet Waters Park Target RangeMarkham Park Velodrome Piccolo Park Water Playgrounds/Waterslides/SwimmingC. B. Park Central Broward Regional Park

Quiet Waters Park

T.Y. Park

Commit 2B Fit!®

It Starts in Parks.

Use our online calendar of events to find an activity to fit your lifestyle. Specific programs and activities will also be spotlighted regularly in eHighlights.

Mission StatementThe Parks and Recreation Division is dedicated to providing exceptional services and facilities essential to the quality of life in Broward County while preserving our natural areas.

SWIM Central

Broward County Commission's primary resource and referral service for available swim programs in cooperation with various cities and nonprofit organizations. Call 954-357-SWIM (7946).

Broward County Board of County Commissioners

· Sue Gunzburger

· D. s

· Albert C.

· Ken Keechl

· Ilene Lieberman

· Ritter

· E. Rodstrom Jr.

· Wasserman-Rubin

· Lois Wexler

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NewsletterParks and Recreation is a service of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.