Broward County Parks November 2010 Newsletter

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NOVEMBER 2010 Newsletter broward.org/parks

Focus on Fern Forest Nature Center

Waste Not, Want Not

A Taste of the Tropics

Learn by Listening

For a Good Cause

Blue Moon

Bow-Wow, Splish-Splash: The Sequel

Close Encounters of the Critter Kind

Find Beauty – At a Broward County Natural Area

Fun Around a Campfire

The Birds and the Bugs

Veterans Day

Holiday Fantasy of Lights Is Back!

Blast to the Past

Americana, Native-Style

Quote of the Month

Advisory Board Notice

Special Attractions

Parks Passports

Mission Statement

Your Opinion Counts!

SWIM Central

Broward County Board of County Commissioners

Focus on Fern Forest Nature Center

When Fern Forest Nature Center opened to the public on November 17, 1985, it marked the culmination of a process that began in 1977. That’s when the Land Use Plan mandated the first major stage of an expansion of the county’s park system, followed a year later by the voters’ approval of a $73 million bond issue to finance that expansion. In 1979, part of the money went to the Palm Aire Development Corporation, in exchange for most of the land that became Fern Forest.

The site, which today totals 247.1 acres and has been designated an Urban Wilderness Area, was previously known as Cypress Creek Hammock, a nod to its status as a remnant of the Cypress Creek drainage system, authorized in the early 1900s as a way to create more land suitable for farming. The surrounding area had a long history as farmland, dating back to the late 19th century, first for such crops as pineapples, tomatoes, beans, and peppers, and later for dairy farming. Portions of the surrounding area were also home to logging and milling operations in the 1930s.

But it was the site’s abundance of ferns and other plant life that attracted the interest of scientists from Florida Atlantic University and Broward Community College (now Broward College), who in 1979 published an article called “A Tropical Fern Grotto in Broward County, Florida†in the American Fern Journal. “Vegetation in the area is complex, with swamp forest, hammocks, pinelands, and fallow fields,†noted the article. The researchers indicated that they had discovered “over 200 species of plants, and the list grows with each visit,†and characterized the site as “the last remaining stronghold of ferns in southeastern Florida.â€

In fact, 10 plant communities have been identified within the nature center, making it one of the finest examples of preserved native plant communities in South Florida. These habitats are the focus of Fern Forest’s several trails. The one-mile Prairie Overlook Trail loops through an open prairie and an oak/cabbage palm community and includes a 20-foot-tall observation platform. The Cypress Creek Trail is a half-mile wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through a low hardwood hammock and a maple/cypress community. The Maple Walk covers a third of a mile of red maple swamp and is often soggy – boots are recommended. The Wetlands Wander is an interpretive trail that runs an eighth of a mile, and the Sensory Garden Trail provides a quiet area for relaxation and reflection.

The first floor of the nature center’s main building includes an amphitheater (capacity 120) that’s open on three sides, and there’s an exhibit room that features interpretive displays on the park, as well as native reptiles. The second floor offers the 2,343-square-foot Royal Fern Hall (capacity 120-175), an assembly hall with fully equipped catering kitchen and buffet counter. Near the nature center’s entrance is a rental pavilion (capacity 20-40) with eight picnic tables, water, and electricity; a nearby picnic area has six tables, available on a first-come, first-served basis (no grills or fires are permitted).

Fern Forest also includes a sculpture behind the main building that’s part of the county’s Public Art and Design program: Fern-Lore Guardian, which consists of two small bronze pod forms created by artist Jerome Meadows and installed in December 1993.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the nature center offers a day of free activities on Sunday, November 14, including presentations, a guided nature walk, and a live music jam; the Fern Allies volunteer group will also sell refreshments. For more information, call Fern Forest at . The nature center is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #31 and #42.

Waste Not, Want Not

Ever wonder how to get rid of items that have outlived their usefulness, like TVs, laptops, computers, monitors, keyboards, printers, fax machines, and VCRs/DVD players? Bring them to America Recycles Day and rest assured they’ll be disposed of properly. The free event, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, is at Vista View Park in Davie, and the celebration will include activities such as children’s games, giveaways, displays, and a live radio remote featuring 99.9 KISS Country.

DO NOT bring such items as cell phones, batteries, stereos, microwaves, small appliances, and business-generated waste. Proof of Broward County residency is required. Park admission is free for electronics recycling participants (you must show acceptable items for recycling at the park gate), although the standard park entry fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will apply if you are only attending the celebration.

For more information, call Broward County Waste and Recycling Services at .

Also in November, the Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park in Hollywood hosts a Celebrate Broward Recycles event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 20. Waste and Recycling Services will again be on hand to provide information on recycling in Broward County, and children can win prizes made of recycled materials, play games, create crafts from recycled materials, and more.

For more information, call Anne Kolb at . The nature center is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #12.

A Taste of the Tropics

How much do you know about Jamaica? The culture of this tiny Caribbean island is a rich stew of influences, including elements from Spain and Britain, China and India, and of course West Africa. For the ninth year in a row, you can find out more about the diverse heritage of the country when Markham Park hosts the popular Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival. The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, November 14, features musical performances, sporting competitions (cricket, soccer, and netball), a domino tournament, and much more.

Several stages will showcase oral presentations, limbo dancers, and steel-band music. The Kidz Zone will feature such activities as a bounce house, rides and slides, hula hoops, maypole dancing, egg-and-spoon races, three-legged races, rock climbing, face painting, and games, along with such refreshments as cotton candy, popcorn, hot dogs, and ice cream. This year’s event also includes the Jamaica International Kite Festival team, which will present its colorful kites and its kite-flying skills.

Then, of course, there’s authentic jerk cuisine. “Jerk,†for the uninitiated, refers to a fiery mix of spices and other ingredients that can include allspice, Scotch bonnet peppers, cloves, cinnamon, scallions, nutmeg, thyme, garlic, lime juice, and more. The marinade/rub is best known for its use on such familiar items as chicken, pork, fish, shrimp, and lobster but can also extend to such exotica as jerk yams and even jerk ice cream. The event’s Jerk Cook-off will offer cash prizes and cooking demonstrations.

Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 the day of the event, and are available online (service fees apply) as well as at Jamaican businesses throughout Broward and Miami-Dade counties. For more information, call Markham at , or visit www.jerkfestival.com. The park is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #23.

Learn by Listening

Two nature centers offer lecture programs this month. On Friday, November 5, from noon to 2 p.m., the Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park in Hollywood launches its Lunch-and-Learn Nature Series, with “Ocean Mammals and Noise,†a presentation by Dr. Frisk of Florida Atlantic University’s Department of Ocean and Mechanical Engineering. Attendees will learn how boat traffic, oil and gas exploration, and other human activities seriously impair dolphin and whale life processes and inborn methods of communication. Preregistration is required a week prior to the event. A $5 donation to the Friends of the Anne Kolb Nature Center volunteer group gets you in and gets you lunch.

Future lectures will be on January 21 (“Lasting Landscapes: Florida’s Prehistoric Moundsâ€) and March 25 (“Insects: Beneficial and Harmfulâ€). For more information, call Anne Kolb at . The nature center is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #12.

Fern Forest Nature Center in Coconut Creek also offers its Nature Lecture Series, at 2 p.m. on two Sundays this month and two Sundays in December. Topics include “Spiders†on November 21, “Snakes†on November 28, “Reptiles and Other Neat Creatures†on December 5, and “Dangerous Plants, Animals, and Insects†on December 19.

The lectures run approximately an hour each and are followed by question-and-answer sessions. Live animals will be used to emphasize each lecture topic, although there will be no handling of the animals by the public. Admission is a $3 donation to the Fern Allies volunteer group. For more information, call Fern Forest at . The nature center is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #31 and #42.

Kids can get in on the action, too, with a new program at Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach called One With Nature Storytime. It’s for ages 4 to 9 accompanied by an adult and runs from 4 to 4:30 p.m. on Sundays through the end of December. Admission is a $1 donation to the Friends of Secret Woods volunteer group. For more information, call Secret Woods at . The nature center is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #6.

For a Good Cause

Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek and the Scleroderma Foundation host the seventh annual Stepping Out To Cure Scleroderma Walk, on Saturday, November 6. Registration is at 9 a.m., followed by the 2K walk at 10 a.m. The cost of registration is $25, which includes a T-shirt, entertainment, and refreshments.

The Scleroderma Foundation is the country’s leading nonprofit supporter of research into scleroderma, a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease that afflicts approximately 300,000 Americans. The foundation also promotes education on the disease by facilitating health and professional seminars, producing and distributing literature, and conducting publicity campaigns, as well as offering peer counseling, mutual support programs, and physician referrals to those living with the disease.

To register for the walk, call . For additional information, call Tradewinds at , or visit www.scleroderma.org. The park is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #34.

Also this month, Markham Park in Sunrise and the Tyler Goldberg Foundation host the fourth annual Tyler Goldberg 5K Sunset Run, on Sunday, November 21. Registration starts at 3 p.m., followed by the run at 4 p.m.

Goldberg was a South Florida 14-year-old who died after his personal watercraft crashed into a dock at the park in 2007. The Weston-based foundation that bears his name is committed to preventing children from suffering injuries arising from the use of such watercraft. It serves as a vehicle for legislative change, a source of targeted education in schools, and an advocate for personal watercraft design changes. It also provides financial support for relevant medical research and for assisting families whose children sustain similar injuries.

To register for the run, visit www.tylerscottgoldberg.com. For more information, call Markham at . The park is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #23.

The parks’ regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will be in effect for both these events.

Blue Moon

Why are some moons called blue? Find out the answers (there are more than one) at a Once-in-a-Blue-Moon Hike, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, November 21 at Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center in Davie. Participants will take an interpretive hike along the nature trails to view the full moon as it rises. The fee is $3 per person, and preregistration is required by the day before the hike. For further information, call Long Key at .

Also this month: a Night Hike, from 7 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 12 at Fern Forest Nature Center in Coconut Creek. Participants on this naturalist-led hike will be able to spot and learn more about nocturnal animals as they emerge. The fee for this event is also $3 per person. For additional information, call Fern Forest at . The nature center is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #31 and #42.

Bow-Wow, Splish-Splash: The Sequel

Like Hollywood does when it has a hit on its hands, we’re putting out a sequel by adding two more weekends to the popular K-9 Water Festival Series. Pamper your pooches by letting them play at two of our water parks in November: Saturdays and Sundays, November 13 and 14, at Paradise Cove at C.B. Park in Pembroke Pines, and November 20 and 21, at Splash Adventure at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, which also hosts the last of the three

originally scheduled events on November 6 and 7.

The dogs-only days, for pets ages 4 months and up, run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 50-minute sessions beginning on the hour. Only dogs 25 pounds or less will be permitted for the final session, and dogs are limited to two sessions per day.

Admission is $5 per dog per session. Donations of dog and cat food, treats, blankets, and cash will be accepted on behalf of animals at county shelters.

There are a few other rules: All dogs must be off leash when inside the facility and must be sociable and well behaved. Proof of current rabies vaccination and county license tag are required. Other than lifeguards, no humans will be allowed inside the water.

For more information, e-mail parkpaws@.... The parks’ regular weekend and holiday gate entrance fee of $1.50/person (children 5 and under free) will be in effect for these events.

Close Encounters of the Critter Kind

Meet some of South Florida’s amazing animals while learning some of their secrets at a Critter Encounter at Central Broward Regional Park & Stadium in Lauderhill. The program, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 5, is free, but registration is required by Monday, November 1, by calling or visiting Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach, which sponsors the event; the number is . Central Broward Regional is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #18, #36, #40, and #81.

Find Beauty – At a Broward County Natural Area

Two of our natural areas offer Guided Nature Walks this month. On Saturday, November 6, learn more about the Helene Klein Pineland Preserve, a 13-acre pineland/cypress swamp/marl prairie in Coconut Creek. Then on Friday, November 12, a similar walk will explore the 34.3-acre sand pine scrub at Highlands Scrub in Pompano Beach.

Both walks take place from 9 to 10:30 a.m., and both cost $3 per person. Preregistration is required by calling Tradewinds Park at no later than one day prior to the scheduled walk. Helene Klein is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #14, #31, and #48, and Highlands Scrub is accessible via Route #50.

Fun Around a Campfire

What could provide more good old-fashioned fun than a campfire you can sit around and roast marshmallows to make s’ mores? Find out what such simple pleasures are all about when T.Y. Park in Hollywood hosts a Family Hayride and Campfire, for all ages, from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, November 19. The campfire is free, although the optional hayride and a bag of fixings for the s’ mores will set you back $3 per person. Additional refreshments will also be available for purchase. For more information, call T.Y. at . The park is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #3, #12, and #17.

Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach also hosts another such event this month, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 13. (The rain date for the event is November 20.) Admission is also $3, and advance tickets are required, available either from the park office or by phone at . For more information, call Quiet Waters, which is also accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #14 and #48.

The Birds and the Bugs

Check out the avian life on Deerfield Island Park in Deerfield Beach when volunteer Gloria Cashin leads a Bird Walk, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Saturday, November 6. The boat shuttle to the island leaves promptly, so be sure to be at the dock at Sullivan Park by 8:30 a.m. The fee is $3 per person. Space is limited,and preregistration is recommended, although you can register and pay (cash only, please) the day of the walk. For more information or to preregister, call Quiet Waters Park at . Deerfield Island is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #48 and #50.

If bugs are more to your liking, Secret Woods Nature Center will host “Insectâ€igations the same day, from 2 to 4 p.m. The free program includes crafts and other activities, along with a presentation by Bardunias of the University of Florida, who will bring in some of his favorite insects for participants to observe. For more information, call Secret Woods at . The nature center is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #6.

Veterans Day

All Broward County regional and neighborhood parks, nature centers, and natural areas will be closed on Veterans Day. Butterfly World at Tradewinds Park, AllGolf at C.B. Park, Ski Rixen USA at Quiet Waters Park, and the tennis centers at Piccolo and C.B. parks, as well as the campgrounds at C.B. , Easterlin, Markham, Quiet Waters, and T.Y. parks, will remain open.

Holiday Fantasy of Lights Is Back!

For the third year in a row, Holiday Fantasy of Lights returns to Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek under the management of Brandano Displays. The drive-through light show runs from Friday, November 19 through Sunday, January 2 and is open nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 per vehicle Mondays through Wednesdays and $13 per vehicle Thursdays through Sundays (cost is for 20 or fewer passengers). For more information, call the event hotline at , or visit www.holidaylightsdrivethru.com.

Blast to the Past

Relive the magic of the past at Camelot Days Medieval Festival, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 13 and 14, at T.Y. Park in Hollywood. The weekend features live music, hearty food and drink, entertainment by knights and jesters, challenging games, exciting rides, and more. Cheer for your favorite side in the Living Chess Game, and shop for handcrafted treasures in the Artists’ Market.

Tickets are $12 for ages 13 and up and $3 for ages 6 to 12; children 5 and under are admitted 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 T.Y. at , or visit www.camelotdays.com. The park is accessible via Broward County Transit Routes #3, #12, and #17.

Americana, Native-Style

Explore artifacts and crafts on display at Native American Heritage Day, Sunday, November 14 at Secret Woods Nature Center in Dania Beach. The free event, which runs from 2 to 4 p.m., includes family-friendly craft activities, storytelling, and flute music. For more information, call Secret Woods at . The nature center is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #6.

Events Calendar

Quote of the Month

“You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for others – something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.†– Philosopher/physician Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)

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, November 3. The meeting will take place at Plantation Heritage Park, 1100 S. Fig Tree Lane, Plantation 33317; . The park is accessible via Broward County Transit Route #30. More information on the meeting 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)

Parks Passports

Stressed out by the cost of gas and air travel? Don’t sit home and mope. Opportunities for fun, affordable leisure activities are as near as a Broward County park. And if you take advantage of our Parks Passports, having fun can be even more affordable.

· Individual Parks Passport - $25

· Family Parks Passport - $60 (good for up to six people per vehicle)

· Replacement of a lost Parks Passport - $5

With a Parks Passport, you never have to worry about paying the $1.50-per-person gate entrance fee (children 5 and under free) that’s in effect on weekends and county holidays at most of our regional parks. The credit card-style Passports are good for one year from the date of purchase and are available at park offices.

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 Gunzburger D. sAlbert C. Ken KeechlIlene Lieberman Ritter E. Rodstrom Jr.Lois Wexler

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