WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (March 18, 2020) – During Tuesday’s election, voters overwhelmingly approved the 2020 Parks Bond that will benefit a number of public parks throughout the City of West Palm Beach. 82% of West Palm Beach voters voted in support of the bond. The purpose of this initiative is to complete the construction, renovation and furnishing of parks and recreation projects through the issuance of general obligation bonds.
The City and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC) will spearhead community engagement opportunities for the parks that will be receiving upgrades. Additionally, an oversight committee and PRAC will be responsible for the accountability of the funds and status of the projects. Once the volume of work is determined for each park covered by the bond, renovations will commence within one to five years.
“I want to thank West Palm Beach citizens who voted in support of the 2020 Parks Bond initiative,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James. “Our parks play a key role in the overall quality of life offered by our City, and thanks to the voters, we will be able to make some much-needed upgrades that will make a difference for everyone.”
In 2000, voters approved a 20-year bond that provided $20 million for park upgrades that were completed as part of the City’s Recreation Strategic Plan of 1997. 20 years later, many of the City’s parks are again facing critical needs to replace playgrounds, improve lighting, resurface parking lots and trails, and install infrastructure that would allow for enhanced community amenities and greater activation of parks.
“I am very excited about the future of our parks and the entire parks system, as great parks make great cities. I believe we have both,” said Leah Rockwell, Director of Parks and Recreation.
The 2020 Parks Bond will be repaid from ad valorem taxation. It will not be an additional tax or fee, as property owners have already been paying a parks bond, which expires in September of 2020.
The public parks that will benefit from this project are:
- Alice Mickens Park
- Blum Park
- Brian Chappell Park
- Coleman Park
- Currie Park
- Dreher Park
- Echo Lake Park
- Fogelman Park
- Gaines Park and Community Center
- Howard Park and Tennis Center
- Jose Martí Park
- Lake Mangonia Park
- Lincoln Park
- Osprey Park
- Phipps Park
- South Olive Park and Tennis Center
- Sunset Park
- Vedado Park
- Village Paws Park
- Warren Hawkins Aquatic Center
For more information about the approved 2020 parks bond, including a list of allocations for individual parks, please visit: https://www.wpb.org/government/parks-and-recreation/2020-parks-bond-frequently-asked-questions. To learn more about the City of West Palm Beach, please visit: www.wpb.org.
