Deicke Park opened on October 10, 1993. It was named in honor of Plantation pioneer Edwin F. Deicke. Deicke was a philanthropist who gave money to people and organizations in need in Illinois where he grew up, and Broward County, where he and his wife Lois built a home in Plantation in 1961. As a young man he wasn't able to afford to go to college but he became successful in the insurance business eventually becoming president of the country's oldest insurance company. He amassed a fortune and used it to help others before he retired to Florida. In Plantation some of the beneficiaries of his generosity were students at Plantation and South Plantation High Schools who received scholarships to go to college. Edwin F. Deicke passed away after a long illness in 1984. His wife Lois continued to give money to the causes they supported after his death.
Deicke Park is a tranquil neighborhood park. It has a half-mile jogging trail with exercise equipment designed for use by the general public and people who are physically challenged. Other park amenities include two hard court tennis courts, a sand volleyball pit, a basketball court, picnic tables and open play areas. There is also a shaded playground for toddlers and older children. The park pavilion can be rented for parties, picnics and family gatherings. Restrooms are open only during the day.
Although I enjoyed the exercise path, my favorite part of the park was discovering the nests of burrowing owls near the sand volleyball court. Burrowing owls are considered endangered, threatened or of special concern in nine U.S. states. Unlike other owls, they are not strictly nocturnal and are active during the day. They make their nests in underground burrows, which are dug out by ground squirrels and they prefer open grasslands. They are pretty timid and will pop back into their burrows if you approach but I managed to catch sight of one little fellow.
The park was very busy during my visit. People were walking on the exercise path, playing volleyball, basketball, and tennis, and watching their kids play on the playground. Deicke is a great recreational resource for the Plantation community. Come visit Deicke Park anytime from dawn to dusk. read more