South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
Five cities asking for your vote to perk their parks
Out of 10 projects chosen to compete in the 2022 Niagara Perk Your Park Contest from Niagara water this year, five are in South Florida.
Through Sept. 12, cast your vote once a day at niagaraperkyourpark.com to help one local park receive a $75,000 upgrade.
Niagra, through its charitable program, Niagara Cares, has been partnering with the National Recreation and Park Association since 2016 to revitalize community parks and outdoor spaces throughout the United States. Clermont has been the only Florida city that has been voted to receive an upgrade since then.
Here are the nominees in Broward and Palm Beach counties:
Coconut Creek: The city wants to add an open play area and nature space in Coco Point Park, 4870 NW Sixth St. The goal is to include a butterfly and pollinator garden, exercise equipment, walkways, and nature education for kids and adults. Vote at niagaraperkyourpark.com/parks/coco-point-park/.
Boynton Beach: The city is looking to redesign the boat launch and add an observation deck at Pioneer Canal Park, 848 NW 13th Ave., in order to provide residents with access to waterway activities like boating, fishing, kayaking, relaxing and observing wildlife. Vote at niagaraperkyourpark.com/parks/pioneer-canal-park/.
Deerfield Beach: The city wants to turn the Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex, 445 SW Second St., into a destination playground with a large pavilion for community gatherings, family reunions and educational events. Vote at niagaraperkyourpark. com/parks/oveta-mckeithen-recreational-complex/.
Boca Raton: With 11 acres of land that sat dormant for two decades, Ocean Strand Park on A1A just south of Spanish River Boulevard is the perfect spot for an accessible pathway with new trails through the mangroves, and self-guided wildlife and nature tours, according to the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District. Vote at niagaraperkyourpark.com/parks/ocean-strand-park/.
Riviera Beach: With the goal to increase opportunities for residents to access healthy foods and education on healthy living, the city wants to expand the Urban Farm at 1621 W. Blue Heron Blvd. to supply the food pantry at the middle school next door and grow the Greenmarket and a Restorative Garden. Vote at niagaraperkyourpark.com/parks/riviera-beach-urbanfarm/.
The other Florida nominees are Berry Park in Leesburg, Roy and Janice McGriff Park in Fort Pierce and Lake David Park in Groveland, and in Texas at George Mitchell Nature Preserve in The Woodlands and Seabourne Creek Nature Park in Rosenberg.