The park on Royal Palm just west of 441 is dedicated to 60's actress/singer Catherine Louise "Kaye"…read moreStevens (July 21, 1932 - December 28, 2011). She was known professionally as Kaye Stevens and she was arguably Margate's most famous resident until 2004 when she lived for over 33 years on Lakeshore drive. She once joked on TV to Johnny Carson that the entrance and exit signs to Margate were back to back and whenever she would appear on game shows she would say hello Margate! The Kaye Stevens Park has a long history in Margate and some it was quite colorful. The park was first dedicated to her in 1972. There was some uproar in 1984 when the park was stripped of her name over an incident with her poodle Penelope Red. According to her a park official cursed at her and told her that she wasn't allowed to walk her dog in the park because dogs made a mess. Kaye complained to the city commission and in retaliation they took her name off the park. When a new city commission took office in the 1990's the Kaye's name was restored to the park, In 2008 the city of Margate looked into renovating it at a cost of $100,000 but many in the city thought that was a waste of tax payer money for fixing what was essentially a neighborhood park. The cost of the renovation grew and the first contractor hired was exposed for having done shoddy construction work forcing closure of the park temporarily. In 2014 the project was scaled back and finally completed. In 2015 the city opted to spend $35,000 on the bronze Kaye Stevens statue that sits at the edge of the park and which faces Royal Palm Boulevard. Under the statue is a quote from Kaye about how she thinks Margate is a great place for families. With the finished renovations the park has four parallel parking spots, a 1/5 mile walking trail along the lake, covered picnic pavilion, and swing benches. On my visit I saw many birds and iguanas enjoying the lake front. It may have taken more money and effort than the Margate City Commission originally anticipated but the area now serves as a lovely tribute to a woman who who was a long time resident and who tried to get the word about the town she loved wherever she went. Kaye Stevens brought a little bit of Hollywood glamour to Margate Florida.

This park is located across the street from South Plantation High School near the neighborhood of…read morePlantation Isles. It does not have a dedicated parking lot. If you come by car you have to park on the side of the road. The park was named in April of 2000 for Plantation Mayor Jack Carter who served the city from 1971 through 1975. The name chosen was also a thank you to the Plantation Women's Club which donated $20,000 for the park. They preferred the name Harmony Park so to compromise the city council chose the name Jack carter Harmony to keep the peace with the Women's Club. The park has a plaque honoring Jack's wife Julia who was a long time community activist. Jack Carter Harmony is a linear passive park that runs along a canal. The park has a paved exercise path and benches. The smooth pathway is perfect for joggers, walkers, and bicyclists. Along the path is native trees and plants. The park also has a small playground. This is a very pretty park extending much further back than you initially realize. In between rain drops I was able to walk a few laps and get my exercise in. The view here is tree-mendous!

The Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex is a 15 acre park in Deerfield Beach located in the Carver…read moreheights neighborhood between I-95 and downtown Deerfield Beach. The park was named in honor of Oveta McKeithen, who along with her husband Johnnie were Deerfield Beach community activists and leaders. Johnnie has his own park in the city named after him. Born and raised in Deerfield Beach, Oveta led the city American Legion 9th District Auxiliary, the Deerfield Beach West Kiwanis chapter, St. Mary's Episcopal Church Women, and the civil service board. She also served as business manager for the Packer-Rattlers Youth Football Organization and as a board member for the Deerfield Beach Historical Society. Oveta spent more than 25 years working for the city's Parks and Recreation Department where she managed the Westside Park recreation center. Although she never had children she especially enjoyed creating events for the youth of Deerfield Beach Ovata McKeithen passed away on July 15, 2014 at the age of 80. Oveta McKeithen Recreational Complex amenities include the Johnny L Tigner Community Center, two lighted basketball courts, a football field and a multipurpose field with concession stand, two youth baseball fields, a walking trail, a full size gym, picnic areas, and a playground with a story walk. I appreciate that the design of this park includes both active-sports options as well as those for more casual family-friendly outdoor recreation. Many city events are staged here including the Juneteenth Freedom Fest with food trucks, kids' zones, and music.

This is a neighborhood park in the 1.3 square mile Highlands section of Pompano Beach. Highlands is…read morea neighborhood that was developed with single family homes in the mid 1950's by developer Mackle Company and architect James Vensel who laid out four basic types of open floor plan homes. Highlands Park is a 3.3 acre neighborhood park located next to the Highlands Community Center which was built in 1998 and contains an auditorium and two classrooms. Programs offered include karate, Art with Shelia, and Ms. Peach's Little Bookworms. Park amenities include a basketball court, covered playground with toddler area and one for older children, two pavilions with picnic tables, and an open space for play and recreation. There were a lot of large shade trees in the park. I ducked in to use the restrooms and was delighted to find it clean and stocked. Some people were setting up for a party as I was leaving. This looks like a well maintained green space ideal for the community's recreational enjoyment.

This park is named in honor of Lauderdale's arguably most famous resident, Jackie Gleason. He…read moreplayed bus driver Ralph Kramden in the Honeymooners. In the 1950's through 1970, The Jackie Gleason Show was very popular. He was also a band leader who recorded many albums. Jackie Gleason loved to play golf so in 1964 he moved to Florida and brought all of his television production facilities from New York City and set them up in Miami Beach. Gleason bought a home at Inverrary Country Club in Lauderhill where he resided the rest of his life until he passed away from cancer at the age of 71 in 1987. He is buried at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Cemetery in Doral. Things to note about the parks in Lauderdale is they are all fenced and can be locked and they do not allow dogs. Jackie Gleason Park has a lot of great amenities for the community to enjoy. These include a basketball court, benches, a gazebo, open area for play, exercise path, a new looking covered playground for ages 5 to 12, swings, and a restroom. The park also has large leafy shade trees. The nicest feature of the park for kids is the Living with Wildlife Splash Pad adjacent to the playground. The splash pad has beautiful mosaics of animals you might encounter in your neighborhood. You can turn on the water with a push of a button. It is a great place for kids to play and cool down during the hotter months.

The pool was nice. I like that there is a sidewalk you can walk around near the playground area.read more

Betty Booth Robert was the first elected mayor of Davie, Florida. Born July 11, 1924, in Marietta,…read moreArkansas, she moved to Davie in 1944. She was the first woman to hold a strong mayor position in Florida, serving four times, from 1962 to 1974 and as a council member from 1981 to 1987. Her father William Booth, was one of the five people who donated money to help incorporate Davie in 1959. In 1998 Mrs. Roberts was honored as Humanitarian of the Year by the Davie/Cooper City Chamber of Commerce for her community service. For many years Betty and her husband ran a nursery along Southwest 61st Avenue, near Orange Drive where this park now stands. Mrs. Roberts passed away from cancer in 2004 from cancer at the age of 79. Betty Booth Robert Park amenities include two shelters with with electricity that can hold up to twenty-five people and be rented, a covered playground with climbing structures and ADA accessible swing, basketball courts, a multiuse field, and paved exercise path with outdoor fitness equipment. The park also has a 33 meter by 13 yard heated pool with 2 tube waterslides, open seasonally from June until September. Admission to the pool is $2 adults, $1.50 children, and $1 seniors. If you have questions you can reach out to them at 954-797-1146. This park is a great resource for recreation to the town of Davie. If you want to throw an economical pool birthday party by renting a pavilion and paying the inexpensive price for pool admission. The park has a lot of beautiful old trees and the outdoor fitness equipment looked brand new. I am sure that Davie pioneer Betty Booth Robert would enjoy knowing that generations of Davie families are enjoying her namesake park.

Hunters Manor Park is located in the Hunter's Manor neighborhood of Pompano Beach, east of…read morePowerline Road. The neighborhood is mainly made up of single family homes built from the 1950's to the 90's. Hunter Manor's Park is an 8.4 acre park that will soon be bordered on the east by a new 9 acre, 59 home residential development by homebuilder D.R. Horton. Park amenities include pavilion shelters, picnic areas, grills, benches, restrooms, an exercise path with fitness stations, tennis courts, a covered playground, basketball, handball, exercise area, and volley ball court. The park is often used to host community events. The next one is a Caribbean Festival on October 14th from 5 to 10 PM. Hunters Manor Park is a well maintained park, ideal for taking the kids to play, exercise, or having a picnic.

Opened in 2007, this 3.19 acre neighborhood park is located off of W Oakland Park Blvd. The park is…read moregated and is closed by 8 PM every night. While this park may not have all of the amenities of the larger parks in the area it is still a great place to take a walk, play basketball, or simply relax with family and friends. Northgate Park has a two outdoor basketball courts, a half mile walking trail for a light stroll and exercise around the park, a shade covered playground with swings, slides, and climbing structures, two pavilions, grill, and restroom. The soft, grassy areas in the park provide plenty of space for families to relax or have a picnic. The park is generally clean and well-kept. The park staff does a good job of maintaining the grounds, ensuring that the grass is trimmed and the trash is picked up. During my visit a family was setting up for a birthday party. Northgate Neighborhood Park is a great spot for a casual gathering, small family outing, or a meet-up with friends.