Sara Sims Park is the story of when a city cares and does something right. For years this 12 acre site and the adjoining cemetery were dilapidated and attracted crime. In 2010 the Community Redevelopment Agency hired REG architects to create a park. The city got input from the community about what they wanted the area to be. The park is named in honor of Sara Sims, a community activist who helped found the St. John Missionary Baptist Church in 1908. She is buried in the historic cemetery adjacent to the park.
The city broke ground in October 2018. In November of 2019 a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the 1.3 million dollar renovation. The park has a steel amphitheater, new parking, restrooms, open lawn, exercise path with mile markers, four new pavilions with their own picnic tables and grills, upgraded racquetball and basketball courts, bicycle racks, and a playground. Security features were added to the park that included emergency call boxes, 5 cameras that allow officers to view the park at all times, and better lights for safety at night. As I was visiting a police car pulled up to keep an eye on the park. Only time will tell if the community embraces this park but the money Boynton Beach invested looks well spent. read more