April 2009

Let’s Meet in the Park
More than half a million people a year use picnic shelters or other meeting facilities in Broward County parks. Whether you’re planning a birthday party, wedding or reception, holiday gathering, family reunion, or large corporate or association function, there’s a park to accommodate your needs.

Our 18 regional parks offer more than 90 shelters, with capacities ranging from 20 to 400+, as well as a variety of other facilities, including two gazebos, three outdoor amphitheaters, and several conference and meeting rooms. Our neighborhood parks also have community centers available for rental. All shelters have picnic tables, and most include grills. Amenities at indoor facilities vary, with some providing fully equipped catering kitchens. Certain parks may also provide audiovisual equipment.

The same spaces used for meetings and other functions can be “dressed up” for parties and such special occasions as weddings and receptions. Once you’ve selected a room that’s the right size for your event, the only limit is your imagination. We’ll provide the chairs and tables (various sizes and shapes are available) – the rest is up to you. Add some basic tablecloths and a few streamers for a simple look, or go all out with elegant centerpieces, fancy tablecloths, and other theme décor for more dramatic effects. Either way, it’s your party at the park, so express yourself. Our knowledgeable park staff may also be able to provide advice regarding caterers and other County-approved vendors.

There is a weekend and holiday gate entrance fee at most regional parks. Nominal fees are also charged for reserving picnic shelters and meeting rooms based on the size of the facility. Early reservations are recommended, especially for major holidays. There are also separate usage fees for some special park facilities.

For fees and other information about meeting in a Broward County park, call the park of your choice, or visit the rentals web page.

Spring Holidays in the Parks
Get an early jump on the spring holiday at the Spring Egg-stravaganza at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 4. The Spring Bunny and other special characters will be there, and there will be egg hunts by age group starting at 10:15, along with arts and crafts, face painting, bounce houses, and a rock-climbing wall. The event is for ages 2 to 12 (children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult), and fees are $5 per child for the egg hunts, $4 for the rock-climbing wall, and $2.50 for a Polaroid photo. Refreshments will also be available for purchase.

A week later, on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 1:20 p.m., Splash Adventure at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach gets in on the act with Splash Egg-citement, for ages 10 and under accompanied by an adult. This event will also feature egg hunts by age group, as well as games, a bounce house, and free splash time. Participants should wear a bathing suit and bring a towel and a basket for collecting eggs. Refreshments will be available for purchase. Admission is $6 per person (12 months and under free).

Also on April 11: a free Spring Egg Hunt at West Lake Park in Hollywood, for ages 4 to 11 accompanied by an adult. There will be photo opportunities with Peter Cottontail (bring your own camera) and arts and crafts (donations accepted).

Additional free spring egg hunts will be held on Friday, April 10 at Boulevard Gardens Community Center (1 to 4 p.m.) and at Lafayette Hart Park (2:30 to 5 p.m.), both in Fort Lauderdale. The Lafayette Hart event is limited to children who are already enrolled in the park’s After-School Program.

?: Tradewinds, 954-968-3880; Quiet Waters, 954-360-1315; West Lake, 954-926-2480; Boulevard Gardens, 954-625-2988; Lafayette Hart, 954-791-1041.
+
BCT: Routes #34 (Tradewinds); #14 (Quiet Waters); #12 (West Lake); #9, #22, #40, and #81 (Boulevard Gardens); #11 and #40 (Lafayette Hart).

Spend Spring Break on Horseback
For the equestrian-minded, what better way to spend spring break than at a Spring Break Horse Camp at the Tradewinds Park Stables? The program runs from Monday, April 6 through Thursday, April 9, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, and includes riding instruction daily, weather permitting. 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, farm activities, and a horse show on the final day of camp.
Children must provide their own lunches and refreshments. Long pants and closed-toe shoes are required. Participants must also bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a towel. Fees must be paid and a release and waiver of liability must be completed and signed at time of registration.

?: Tradewinds Stables, 954-357-8720.
$: $60/person per day.
BCT: Route #34.

Spring Has Sprung
Celebrate the season with a free Spring Fling Dance on Friday, April 17 at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach. The event, for ages 18 and up with developmental disabilities, runs from 7 to 10 p.m. and will include deejay music, dancing, socializing, and refreshments. The dance will be outdoors, so please dress accordingly.

?: Special Populations Section, 954-357-8160/8170.
BCT: Route #14.

A Walk on the Wild(life) Side
If you’re looking for a good cause, look no further than the Walk for Wildlife and Family Festival 2009, a 1.25-mile walk to benefit the Wildlife Care Center (WCC). This nonprofit organization relies on donations and community support to care for 15,000 animals every year. The WCC’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife. The center also treats and places domestic, exotic, and farm animals in permanent homes or sanctuaries, and it educates the public toward coexistence with all animals.

This year’s event takes place on Saturday, April 18, at Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, where registration starts at 8:30 a.m. and the walk begins at 10:30 a.m. There will also be a family festival, with games, demonstrations, food, and other activities running until 2 p.m.

Walk with or without your animal companion (not limited to dogs), and remember that all dogs be vaccinated for rabies and wear a current county license tag. All animals must be kept on leashes no longer than six feet at all times. Please be sure that your companion animal is able to handle the walk, and monitor the animal for signs of heat exhaustion. Water will be supplied in community bowls along the walk. Please also be sure to clean up after your animal with the bags provided.

?: WCC, 954-524-7154.
R: Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. the day of the event.
+

Ride Off Into the Sunset…or History
On Wednesdays, April 1 and 22, starting at 7 p.m., the Tradewinds Park Stables will offer Sunset Trail Rides. You must be 9 years old or older and at least 52 inches tall to ride. Or, if natural history’s more your thing, you can learn more about the flora and fauna of South Florida on Natural History Horseback Tours, offered starting at 9 a.m. on the first Saturday of the month. The next tour is offered on April 4. This program is for ages 13 and up.

?: Tradewinds Stables, 954-357-8720.
$: Fees: $30/person (Sunset Trail Rides), $45/person (Natural History Horseback Tours).
R: Preregistration is required by the Monday prior to the trail ride for Sunset Trail Rides; registration for Natural History Horseback Tours is at 8:30 a.m. the day of the program.
BCT: Route #34.

Recycle It!
Celebrate the earth by participating in Earth Day: Project Recycle, from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22 at Long Key Natural Area and Nature Center in Davie. Bring in recyclables or recycled materials and a naturalist will help you use your imagination to create pieces of art, animal habitats, and anything else you can imagine.

?: Long Key, 954-327-8797.
R: Preregistration is required by the day before the event.

A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen
Show off your basketball skills, hang with the guys, and get some exercise in a free Gentlemen’s Basketball League, a new eight-week program at Lafayette Hart Park in Fort Lauderdale. The league, which runs from April 20 through June 10, will meet twice weekly, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. There are two divisions: the Hot Shots, for ages 18 to 30, and Old School, for ages 30 and up. This is a Commit 2B Fit!® – It Starts in Parks program.

?: Lafayette Hart, 954-791-1041.
R: Registration will be held at the park office from 4 to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays from April 6 to 17.
BCT: Routes #11 and #40.

Parks Open on Tuesday, April 7
To correspond with the Broward County Public School spring break, all Broward County Parks and Recreation Division parks, including nature centers and natural areas, will be open on Tuesday, April 7, as well as all Tuesdays between June 8 and August 21, 2009 (summer break). Starting August 24, 2009, regional parks, nature centers, and natural areas will resume the fall/winter schedule and be closed on Tuesdays, with the following exceptions, which will continue to be open daily:

• Central Broward Regional Park (3700 N.W. 11th Place, Lauderhill)
• Markham Park (16001 W. State Rd. 84, Sunrise)
• Topeekeegee Yugnee (T.Y.) Park (3300 N. Park Rd., Hollywood)
• Tradewinds Park (3600 W. Sample Rd., Coconut Creek)

Campgrounds will remain open daily to registered campers. Neighborhood parks will continue daily operations. Private facilities – AllGolf, Butterfly World, and Ski Rixen – will continue their normal operating schedule. Polling sites will be open for voting purposes only on election days.

The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division thanks you for your patronage and looks forward to continuing to meet your recreational needs.

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, April 1. The meeting will take place at Tree Tops Park, 3900 S.W. 100th Ave., Davie. For more information, visit the Parks Advisory website. 

Highlights Is Only Electronic
The 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@broward.org.

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.