A1A in Broward County Receives Florida Scenic Highway Designation

A grassroots effort that began many years ago by Broward County residents has resulted in the State of Florida officially designating State Road A1A a “scenic highway.” The 23-mile corridor that runs from Deerfield Beach to Hallandale Beach is now a Florida Scenic Highway. Criteria to qualify for the Florida Scenic Highway designation includes that the highway corridor “must tell a story” of the region and that the corridor must exhibit “significant, exceptional and distinctive features.” More…

Recycle Your Holiday Tree

The Parks and Recreation Division’s annual Chip-A-Tree initiative begins Saturday, December 26, and will continue through Sunday, January 24. Last year the Division recycled 9,943 trees, representing 124 tons of material that would otherwise have gone to landfills, and this year your tree can join those recyclable thousands.

The free program encourages Broward County residents to remove all decorations from their holiday trees (no decorated trees will be accepted), then bring the trees to a participating park, where they are chipped and used for landscaping throughout the county park system. There is a limit of two trees per vehicle, artificial trees are not accepted, and no commercial vehicles or garbage trucks are allowed. Thirteen Broward County parks are participating in the Chip-A-Tree program.

Broward County to Issue Temporary Limousine, Sedan and Van Permits

To help address transportation needs for the expected crush of visitors to South Florida for the Pro Bowl Game, January 31, and the Super Bowl, February 7, the Broward County Permitting, Licensing and Consumer Protection Division is issuing temporary operating permits for limousines, luxury sedans and shuttle vans. Both games will be played at Land Shark Stadium; the media centers for the games will be located in Broward County, as will the National Football League and American Football Conference headquarter hotels. Applications are available online at www.broward.org/permittingandlicensing, by calling 954-765-4400 or visiting Government Center West at 1 N. University Drive in Plantation. More...

Broward County Agency Creates New Artificial Reef

The Broward County Natural Resources Planning and Management Division recently created a new artificial reef off Fort Lauderdale’s shore. The new artificial reef, the 92nd reef constructed by Broward County, was created using 900 tons of limestone boulders and is located approximately three-quarters of a mile off the north end of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in 40 feet of water on sand bottom.

The reef is configured into 12 randomly positioned small patches between 15 and 20 feet across with a minimum spacing of 100 feet. For boaters and divers, the center of the artificial reef array is located at 26º 09.188’N, 80º 05.110’W. More...

New Signage Improves Guest Navigation at Port Everglades

A new electronic sign program at Port Everglades is helping guests better find their way to their cruise ships. New custom-designed Variable Message Signs have been installed at the Port’s 11 full-time cruise terminals and two parking garages. Larger signs greet guests at Port Everglades’ three main entrances, providing ship names and cruise terminal locations in a rotating format. More…

New Express Bus Service between Broward and Miami-Dade Counties

Broward County Transit is introducing the 95 Express, a fast and convenient service to and from Broward County and Miami-Dade County on new, Wi-Fi accessible, hybrid articulated buses, starting on January 25. This service will operate on weekdays only, approximately every 30 minutes during morning and afternoon peak travel times. More...

Legislative Delegation Elects New Leadership and Schedules Public Hearings

The Broward Legislative Delegation elected their 2009-2010 leadership on Monday, November 16, 2009, at a meeting held at Florida Ocean Science Institute, Inc. Representative Ari Porth, Coral Springs, will serve as chair of the Delegation and Senator Chris Smith, Oakland Park, as vice chair.

A series of public hearings has been scheduled to allow governmental entities, institutions and members of the public to address the Delegation on issues for the 2010 Legislative Session. Information regarding subject matter, location and process to sign up to speak is available on the Delegation Web site at www.broward.org/legislative. Any questions regarding the public hearings or the local bills can be directed to the Delegation Office at 954-357-6555 or email Dee Lynch at dlynch@broward.org.

Caitlyn’s Corral Certified by Boundless Playgrounds

Broward County Parks and Recreation Division has announced that Caitlyn’s Corral Playground at Vista View Park in Davie has been awarded certification from Boundless Playgrounds. Caitlyn’s Corral, the larger of the park’s two new playgrounds, is named for Caitlyn Munson, who died of spinal muscular atrophy in 2002 at the age of 9 months. Caitlyn’s mother, Stephanie Munson, is a member of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and an advocate on behalf of children with special needs.

Boundless Playgrounds is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to helping communities create extraordinary playgrounds where children, with and without disabilities, can develop essential skills for life as they learn together through play. Caitlyn’s Corral joins the more than 140 Boundless playgrounds in 26 states and Canada, with dozens more in development. Visit Caitlyn’s Corral Playground at Vista View Park or call the park at 954-357-8898 for more information.

Volunteers Needed for Tandem Bike Class for Adults Who are Blind or Visually Impaired

Broward County Parks and Recreation Division’s Special Populations Section is looking for interested participants for its Tandem Bike Skills Development Class for Adults Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired. The daytime program will be at a Broward County park, specific location to be announced. Specific dates and times will also be determined.

The program pairs people who are blind or visually impaired with sighted volunteers on tandem bicycles to form a partnership. Participants learn basic biking skills, safety, bicycle mechanics, trust-building, group riding etiquette, and community resources. The program also provides opportunities for physical activity, fun, fitness, and social interaction. For further information, call the Special Populations Section at 954-357-8160 or e-mail SpecialPopulations@broward.org.

Broward County Call Center is Always Ready to Assist Residents

Before, during and after a storm, the Broward County Call Center operates 24 hours a day as a Hurricane Hotline. During the year, the Call Center is a multi-lingual one-stop shop for information on Broward County Commission and government services. Call Center Specialists enhance resident access to County government by answering resident questions. Certain services can also be obtained through the Call Center, including scheduling a building inspection, ordering a duplicate property tax bill and registering for the Vulnerable Population Registry. The Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 954-831-4000 or 3-1-1. Service for hearing impaired individuals is available at 954-831-3940.

Property Tax Exemption Filing Dates

The Broward County Property Appraiser’s Office hosts a series of community outreach events each month throughout Broward County. Deputy Appraisers will be available to assist with Homestead and other property tax exemption applications, as well as answer questions on assessments and property taxes. The outreach program is designed to provide convenient and accessible service to the residents of Broward County. For further information visit www.bcpa.net or contact the Outreach Department by phone at 954-357-5579 or email at kbrown@bcpa.net.

308 Million and Counting

The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the national population is over 308 million. The estimate is based on a population clock that uses the latest available data on births, deaths, and international migration. Broward County’s population is estimated at 1.7 million. Census day is April 1, 2010. For more information, or to arrange a speaker, visit www.broward.org/census.

Broward Legislative Delegation to Hold Public Hearing January 5

The Broward Legislative Delegation is charged with sponsoring and shepherding local bills through the Legislative Session. Requests for local bills have been filed and scheduled to be heard before the Delegation at the public hearing meeting on Tuesday, January 5, 2010, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Nova Southeastern University, Health Professional Building, 3200 S. University Drive, Davie. Any questions regarding the public hearings or the local bills can be directed to the Delegation Office at 954-357-6555 or email Dee Lynch at dlynch@broward.org. The schedule of public hearings and information on how to sign up to speak can be found at www.broward.org/legislative.

To Receive Community Update Please Send Email to Us

Community Update, a monthly newsletter from the Board of County Commissioners, is produced by the Office of Public Communications. Address questions concerning articles to 954-357-6990. To receive Community Update electronically, send an email to publicinfo@broward.org. Please include your first and last name and email address. Hearing impaired residents can call the TTY line at 954-831-3940 for additional information.