Funding for Provident Park was approved in 1986 as part of a 44.7 million dollar bond. The 1.42 acre park was created in 1990 along Sistrunk Blvd which was named for pioneering black physician, Dr. James Sistrunk.
The park was built across the street from the Von D. Mizzell Center. It once held a wooden playground run by the City Housing Authority but when the equipment rotted and was removed it became an empty lot strewn with garbage.
The city cleaned up the lot and named Provident Park in honor of Provident Hospital which once sat across the street. The hospital was built by activists in the 1930's when the African-American community didn't have access to adequate healthcare during segregation. Provident Hospital operated until 1964 when Broward General Hospital was integrated. Today the park has a grassy area and picnic tables making it ideal for an alfresco meal, exercise, or play. read more