City of West Palm Beach, FL
Home MenuHeart & Soul Park
This vibrant Public Open Space (Park) and Outdoor Concert Venue opened in 2021.
Key Park Amenities:
- Heritage Trail (keyboard path) with History Stations and artwork inlaid into pavement
- Raised Planter for Future Sculpture in plaza neighboring Sunset Jazz Lounge
- Musical Themed Playground with Shade Sails
- Grass Mound provides a playful landscape
- Interactive Musical Instruments
- Varied Seating Options
- Entry Features and Seat walls with Art Overlay
- Provisions for Portable Stage for Special Events
Renting Heart and Soul Park:
If you are interested in hosting an event at Heart and Soul Park, located at 825 N. Rosemary Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33430, please follow these steps:
- Complete the City Event Application:
- Begin by filling out the City Event Application form. You can download the form here.
- Ensure all required fields are filled out accurately with detailed information about your event.
- Please note that you must submit this at LEAST 8-10 weeks in advance of your event.
- Request a Letter from the CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency):
- As part of the process, you will need to request a letter of support from the CRA supporting your event at Heart and Soul Park and to ensure it’s availability.
- Contact the CRA office at CRA@WPB.ORG to request this letter. Please allow sufficient time for processing.
- Submit Your Application:
- Once you have completed the City Event Application and obtained the CRA support letter, submit these documents together.
- Applications can be submitted via email to myevent@wpb.org.
- Confirmation and Payment:
- After submitting your application, our team will review it and contact you to confirm the availability of Heart and Soul Park for your event.
- Upon confirmation, payment details will be provided. Rental fees and any additional requirements must be settled in advance to secure your reservation.
- Event Planning and Coordination:
- Work closely with our events team to finalize logistical details and ensure a successful event at Heart and Soul Park.
- Feel free to ask any questions or seek assistance during the planning process.
Thank you for your interest in the Historic Northwest. We look forward to helping you host a memorable event at Heart and Soul Park!
For further inquiries or assistance, please contact:
City of West Palm Beach
Community Events Division
401 Clematis Street, 3rd Floor
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
"Heart & Soul" Mosaic Art
The Heart & Soul Park is now donned with mosaic art that highlights key community members and historical figures. The recently completed public art project done by Dominican South Florida-based artist Elio Mercado (Evoca1), celebrates the neighborhood’s heritage and “creates a community center and interactive art exhibition without walls.”
Featured Notable Figures:
Gwen Cherry - Gwen Cherry was Florida’s first black woman legislator. The Gwen Cherry House, (625 Division Avenue), inherited from relative Mollie Holt, was designed by Hazel Augustus, Palm Beach County’s first black architect.
Count Basie - Basie was a Jazz legend that performed at the Sunset Lounge. In 1958, he would go on to become the first African-American male recipient of a Grammy award.
1933 (Robert Saunders) - The most notable iteration of the Sunset Lounge’s architecture was built in 1933 by Robert Saunders.
Dr. Alice F. Mickens - A civic leader, philanthropist and humanitarian that advocated for education for black youth. Mickens also worked hard to promote local organizations that pushed for the betterment of the community including the Women’s Civic League, the Emanon Child Welfare Club, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and Church Women United.
James Brown - One of the most important and influential entertainers in the 20th century for popular music, Brown performed at the Sunset Lounge - one of the venues as a part of the Chitlin’ Circuit.
Louis Armstrong - With his daring trumpet style and unique vocals, Armstrong, considered an all-star virtuoso, performed at the Sunset Lounge.
Ella Fitzgerald - Dubbed “The First Lady of Song”, Fitzgerald was a jazz legend that performed at the Sunset Lounge. She would go on to win 13 Grammy Awards and sell over 40 million albums.
Hazel Augustus - Palm Beach County’s first Black architect, Augustus is credited with designing and building many historical structures in the Historic Northwest.
Duke Ellington - Ellington is honored on one of the monuments with one of his quotes “Love is Supreme.” Ellington was a jazz legend who performed at the Sunset Lounge.
Mildred “Millie” Gildersleeve - Gildersleeve was a pioneering midwife in Palm Beach County and member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in the Historic Northwest. In 2019, she was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.
Dennis & Thelma Starks - The Starks were the longtime owners of the Sunset Lounge. Thelma once said of the lounge: “It was the only place we could go for our evening’s entertainment. It was a beautiful place. They heard about us in Harlem, we were so big. It was our thing.”
Ike & Tina Turner - An American musical duo formed in 1960, the couple performed at the Sunset Lounge as part of the Chitlin’ Circuit.
Dr. T Leroy Jefferson - Dr. T Leroy Jefferson was the first black physician in West Palm Beach, nicknamed the “bicycle doctor ” because he was frequently seen cycling around town , elegant and upright, with his black medical bag.
Nat King Cole - Cole was a legendary Jazz pianist and pop vocalist who performed at The Sunset Cocktail Lounge.
Ray Charles - Performing at the Sunset Lounge, Ray Charles was a legendary musician often called the Genius, who pioneered the genre of soul music during the 1950s.
Alice E. Moore - Longtime educator at Roosevelt Elementary School. Taken in at a young age by Haley & Alice Mickens, she carried on their work after their passing and lived in their home, located at 801 4th Street.