Fw: June 2011 Broward County Parks Newsletter

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JUNE 2011 Newsletter www.broward.org/parks

Focus on Reverend Delevoe Memorial Park

Other Milestones This Month

Find Savings – At a Broward County Park Campground

House and Garden

Splash Forward

Starry, Starry Nights

Muddy Waters

Horse Sense

Find Fun for Father

Watching the Detectives

Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Fun

The Chase Is On

Social Studies

Quote of the Month

Advisory Board Notice

Special Attractions

Mission Statement

Your Opinion Counts!

SWIM Central

Broward County Board of County Commissioners

Focus on Reverend Delevoe Memorial Park

This month marks two milestones for the 36-acre neighborhood park now known as Reverend Delevoe Memorial Park, which first opened to the public in June 1975 and celebrated the addition of a new recreation center in June 1997.

The site was first developed in 1952 as a private three-hole golf course. Then, in 1973, the Devcon International Corporation acquired the property and dredged approximately 17 acres for bedrock material. After dredging, Devcon agreed to donate the land to Broward County, which was slated to develop a portion of the property as a park.

When it opened in 1975, the park was known as River Bend Park, because of its location on a bend in the North Fork of the New River. The park was renamed in 1979 to honor the Reverend Delevoe, one of Fort Lauderdale’s first black police officers, who later became a community activist, politician, businessman, civil rights leader, and street minister. He was fatally shot in 1977 at age 41. Sunday, November 11, 1979, was proclaimed Sam Delevoe Day by Florida’s then governor, in conjunction with the renaming of the park by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.

Today this neighborhood park includes a 17-acre lake with two fishing piers, a picnic shelter, volleyball and basketball courts, a playground, and a jogging trail. The 4,575-square-foot recreation center includes meeting rooms, a multipurpose room, the park office, storage areas, and restrooms. Other improvements to the park at the time of the 1997 recreation center opening included a parking lot upgrade, landscaping, and drainage enhancements. Funding for the recreation center and related improvements was provided by the Broward County Commission, the federal Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Program, and the Broward County Community Development Division Block Grant Program. A new canoe launch and pavilion opened at the park in 2002, and a 2,029-square-foot fitness center was added in 2010.

A prominent feature of the recreation center is a Public Art and Design project called Pillars of the Community, consisting of commemorative mosaic tiles. In anticipation of the project, the Reverend Delevoe Park Civic Association solicited the community for nominations of individuals who had made significant contributions to the county’s black community since 1911. The association then narrowed the list down to 84 names, which were inscribed by artist Chisseko Kondowe on his hand-made tiles. Those tiles now adorn the pillars of the community center as well as the park gates. The goal, according to the artist’s statement, was “to capture the tranquility of the environment at Delevoe Park.â€

In 2002, a new branch of the Broward County Library opened on property adjacent to the park, where the African-American Research Library & Cultural Center is now housed. Programming at the park includes classes, club meetings, the After-School Program, and the Summer Recreation Program.

For more information, call Delevoe at . The park is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #11 and #40.

Other Milestones This Month

Along with Delevoe Park (see above), two other parks celebrate birthdays in June: the skate park at Quiet Waters Park turns 8, and West Lake Park marks 29 years.

For more information on these parks, call (Quiet Waters) or (West Lake). Quiet Waters is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #14 and #48, West Lake via Route #12.

Find Savings – At a Broward County Park Campground

From May 1 through October 31, 2011, the four parks with RV/tent campgrounds – C.B. , Easterlin, Markham, and T.Y. – offer a Six Months of Savings special discounted rate of $650 per month of camping. For the purposes of this promotion, a month is defined as 31 days. Certain other restrictions apply; contact the park of your choice for additional information: C.B. , ; Easterlin, ; Markham, ; T.Y., .

House and Garden

If you’re an average homeowner who would like to add to the beauty of your home through landscaping, then Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach has just the ticket for you: the Summer Home Landscape Series, which consists of 10 free lectures. The program runs from 3 to 5 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays, starting on June 30 and ending on September 1.

Participants will learn ways to save money on their cooling and water bills, attract wildlife, and preserve native vegetation; they’ll improve the appearance of their yards and neighborhoods as well as increase property values. The topic for the first lecture is “Toys for Serious Gardeners,†presented by horticulturist and landscape designer McLean.

For additional information, contact the nature center at . Secret Woods is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #6.

Splash Forward

Get out your toy ukuleles and put on your plastic leis and grass hula skirts, it’s time for Splash Luaus at the Splash Adventure water park at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. This month there are two of these fun-filled family events, from 6 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, June 10 and 24. The fee is $5.50 per person, which includes splash time, luau games, and a movie. Refreshments will also be available for purchase. Space is limited, and advance ticket purchase is required. For more information, call the park at . Quiet Waters is accessible via Broward County Transit

Routes #14 and #48.

Starry, Starry Nights

This month Broward County Parks offers five free opportunities to find out more about what’s in the South Florida night sky, weather permitting. From roughly dusk to midnight on Saturdays, June 4, 11, 18, and 25, the South Florida Amateur Astronomers Association (SFAAA) opens the Fox Observatory at Markham Park in Sunrise.

This nonprofit organization, which has been around since the mid-1960s, has a variety of telescopic equipment at its disposal, and its members will teach you the ropes. The group also meets at the Fox at 7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday, which this month falls on June 2. Markham Park is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #23.

The SFAAA also hosts quarterly gatherings called An Evening With the Stars at Fern Forest Nature Center in Coconut Creek. This quarter the event is on Friday, June 17, starting at 7 p.m. For more information, call the nature center at . Fern Forest is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #31 and #42.

Muddy Waters

When the waters of a coastal estuary such as the one at the Anne Kolb Nature Center in Hollywood flow in and out with the tides, they form mud flats by depositing silt, clay, and the detritus of marine animals. Such wetlands are the namesake of the park’s Mud Flat Trail, a 1,556-foot-long boardwalk that’s the location for a Mud Flat Stroll on Saturday, June 25, from noon to 1 p.m. Participants will walk along the trail at low tide in search of creatures big and small. The cost is $3 per person. For more information, call the nature center at . Anne Kolb is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #12.

Horse Sense

Stop stalling and learn how to saddle up when Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek offers its annual Summer Horse Camp, starting on June 13 and ending on August 18. (There is no camp July 4-7.) The program, for ages 9 through 16, runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and there are nine sessions total, so if you don’t get into one session, keep trying.

Each four-day session includes daily riding instruction, weather permitting. Instruction also includes: breeds and colors; 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 routine, preventive, and therapeutic maintenance. Other activities include videos, indoor/outdoor games, and farm activities.

Registration goes on for as long as openings are available and is offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays only, at the stables on the north side of the park. Class size is limited and early registration is recommended. Fees must be paid and a release and waiver of liability signed at registration. The fee is $350 per session. Children must provide their own lunches and refreshments. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required. Participants should also bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel.

For more information, call the stables at . Tradewinds is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #34.

Find Fun for Father

Treat Dad to 10 acres of fun when Butterfly World at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek offers Free Admission for Fathers, on Saturday and Sunday, June 18 and 19 (Father’s Day). There are up to 10,000 butterflies on view at any given time in the internationally famous attraction’s aviaries and gardens. The butterfly park, which is located on the south side of Tradewinds, also features an insect zoo/museum, a café, and plant and gift shops.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, with the last admission at 4 p.m. on both days. Tickets are $24.95 for ages 12 and up, $19.95 for ages 3 to 11; children 2 and under get in free. The park’s regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will also be in effect. For more information, call Butterfly World at . Tradewinds is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #34.

In anticipation of Father’s Day, two neighborhood parks will also host Father’s Day Celebrations, featuring crafts and other activities for children ages 6 to 17 who are already enrolled in the parks’ After-School Program. Both events are on Friday, June 10 – from 1 to 3 p.m. at Boulevard Gardens Community Center, and from 3 to 5 p.m. at Lafayette Hart Park, both in unincorporated Fort Lauderdale. For more information, call the parks: Boulevard Gardens ( which is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #9, #22, #40, and #81) at , and Lafayette Hart

(Routes #11 and #40) at .

Watching the Detectives

For years Fern Forest Nature Center in Coconut Creek has been stimulating young minds with Nature Detectives, a weeklong summer day camp for ages 8 to 11. This summer the popular program occurs monthly, with sessions running from 9 a.m. to noon daily from June 20-24, July 18-22, and August 1-5. Each day will focus on a different theme, as participants explore the nature center’s habitats through hands-on experiences, crafts, and other activities.

The fee is $75 per camper per week, and preregistration is required. For more information, call Fern Forest at . The nature center is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #31 and #42.

Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Fun

Pirates are reported to have buried some Treasure at Secret Woods, and you’re invited to find it. Bring your GPS, your compass, and/or your quick wits to this geocaching event at Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach, then pause for basic GPS instruction and orienteering before you set out in search of the stash. This free program for all ages takes place from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 12. For more information, call the nature center at . Secret Woods is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #6.

The Chase Is On

The National Points Chase, that is – a championship cable wakeboard and wakeskate series that will take place at nearly a dozen cable parks from June 13 through July 14. One of those parks is Ski Rixen USA at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, whose segment of the series is called the Shred-a-Thon and runs on Wednesdays for five consecutive weeks.

The goal is to help each cable park improve the level of riding and to help the sport continue to grow and progress. More than 400 riders took part in the 2010 series, sponsored by CableWakeboard.com. This year overall champions will be crowned at each of the 10 participating parks, determined by the riders’ four-out-of-five best weeks. The series will culminate in the CableWakeboard.com Points Championship, which will take place at a park to be determined.

For more information, visit www.CableWakeboard.com, or call Ski Rixen USA at . Quiet Waters is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #14 and #48.

Social Studies

Broward County Parks and Recreation’s Special Populations Section will host a free Friday Night Social, for adult mental health consumers ages 18 and up. The event will be held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, June 10, at Tree Tops Park in Davie. Activities include deejay music, dancing, door prizes, and socializing. Refreshments will also be served. For more information, call Special Populations at .

Events Calendar

Quote of the Month

“Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they please.†– Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras (c. 570 B.C.E.-c. 495 B.C.E.)

Advisory Board Notice

The public is invited to the next meeting of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, which is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 1. The meeting will take place at Piccolo Park, 9501 Sheridan St., City 33024; . More information is available here.

Special Attractions

Batting Cages (AllGolf at C.B. Park) – Butterfly World (Tradewinds Park) – Cable Water-Skiing (Ski Rixen USA at Quiet Waters Park) – Campgrounds (C.B. Park, Easterlin Park, Markham Park, Quiet Waters Park, T.Y. Park) – Dog Park (Barkham at Markham Park) – Educational Farm (Tradewinds Park) – Exhibit Halls (Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park, Fern Forest Nature Center, Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center, Secret Woods Nature Center) – Golf Facilities (AllGolf at C.B. Park) – Multipurpose Athletic Fields ( Piccolo Park, Central Broward Regional Park & Stadium, Tradewinds Park) – Observatory (Markham Park) – Riding Stables (Tradewinds Park, Tree Tops Park) – Skate Parks/Tracks ( Piccolo Park, Quiet Waters Park) – Target Range (Markham Park) – Tennis Centers ( Piccolo Park, C.B. Park) – Velodrome ( Piccolo Park) – Water Playgrounds/ Waterslides/Swimming (C.B. Park, Central Broward Regional Park & Stadium, Quiet Waters Park, T.Y. Park)

Mission Statement

The 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.

Your Opinion Counts!

We’d like to know what you think about our programs and facilities. Please take a moment to tell us how we’re doing by filling out this survey.

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).

Founded in February 1956 and accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies, Broward County Parks and Recreation manages nearly 6,500 acres, encompassing 18 regional parks and nature centers, six neighborhood parks, and 21 natural areas at various stages of development. Facilities include water parks, campgrounds, a target range, a stadium, skate parks, an observatory, mountain bike trails, an educational farm with stables, and a velodrome and other sports facilities. Hours and fees vary by location. For more information, visit www.broward.org/parks.

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 10 business days prior to the scheduled meeting or event to request an accommodation.

Broward County Board of County Commissioners

Sue GunzburgerDale V.C. Holness

sChip LaMarcaIlene Lieberman Ritter E. Rodstrom Jr.

Barbara ShariefLois Wexler

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