By Mary Hladky
When Boca Raton officials in 2009 purchased the land that now is Wildflower Park, they envisioned it as the perfect spot for a waterfront restaurant.
A citizens’ group, however, had a very different idea. Members wanted a public park, and voters overwhelmingly endorsed that in a 2016 ballot initiative.
What followed was a long, tortured process to make that happen. The City Council made numerous design changes, some to rein in spiraling costs and others the result of council members micromanaging every detail.
The park finally opened to fanfare in 2022, but very few residents used it. The homeless, though, were drawn to it, giving residents another reason to stay away.
After sporadic talk for more than a year by current council members about solving the problem, officials now are serious about “activating” the park, located along the Intracoastal Waterway at 551 E. Palmetto Park Road. That is city-speak for giving residents a reason to use it.
City staff outlined ideas at a Sept. 8 council workshop meeting. What they boil down to is trying different things to see what works, and then doing more of that.
Council member Yvette Drucker said that there’s little to do at Wildflower. “There has to be a purpose to go to this park,” she said.
Tiffany Lucia, the city’s deputy recreation services director, agreed, saying that the park should attract people with fun activities.
“We need to get bolder and move faster,” she said. “It is time to get moving.”
City staff wants to focus on programming additions centered on health and wellness, art and community experiences, Lucia said.
The ideas include music events, food trucks, recreation options such as games, pop-up events and adding to playground amenities.
“We want something happening every day,” she said.
The city also must communicate with residents about what is available at the park. That could include a schedule of events posted online or with signage.
New activities will begin soon and will be evaluated to see if they are popular. If so, the city will do more similar events. If not, something different will be tried.
The city also is improving the Palmetto Park Road bridge underpass that connects Wildflower with Silver Palm Park to the south of the bridge.
The bridge was being painted in mid-September, and color-changing lighting was in the process of being installed. Four murals will be added to the bridge columns between the two parks. The work was expected to be completed by the end of October.
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