DeGroff Park The Issue:
Some residents are in favor of transforming public park spaces for additional uses.
Facts:
DeGroff Park in the north end of the city along the Intracoastal Waterway was originally owned by the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND). It was purchased by Broward County with funds from the 2000 Safe Parks and Land Preservation Bond, which intended to preserve and create more green space. The County gave the City of Lighthouse Point the park in November of 2003 for use as a “passive park” in exchange for the city clearing the space of invasive, non-native species and landscaping the area. The formal agreement defines “passive park” as one that retains the land and water of the property in their “natural, vegetative, hydrologic, scenic, open, agricultural or wooded condition and to retain such areas as suitable habitat for fish, plants or wildlife.” This essentially means the park cannot be used for recreational activities, a dog park, or any other uses that affect the natural habitat. A change to the use would have to be approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners.
APRIL 2017 | LIGHTHOUSE POINT
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