Preserving Green Space Now Part of District's Mission
As the center of Boca Raton's population shifted westerly, so did the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District's focus.
The District's initial mission – retiring the debt the City of Boca Raton incurred when purchasing what is now Red Reef Park and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center – grew to include preserving green space and providing athletic opportunities west of the Intracoastal.
In 1982, after years of negotiation, the District made its first major inland purchase. Responding to rising need for athletic fields, the District acquired 55 acres of land near the intersection of Military Trail and Yamato Rd. to create what is now Patch Reef Park.
When Patch Reef first opened in 1983 it offered the community baseball, softball and football/soccer fields. Additional development phases added award-winning tennis courts, a community center, basketball courts, a playground, and fitness trails.
In recent years the District added pickleball courts. And a new covered pickleball complex, along with an inclusive playground, are currently in the works.
Patch Reef helped relieve some of the excess demand for athletic fields, but as Boca Raton continued to grow the need for more fields did, too. In 1987, the District purchased 132 acres of land at the corner of Military Trail and Palmetto Park Rd. that had become a bit of a dumping ground in the 60 years since a golf course for the Ritz-Carlton (now The Boca Raton) on that property closed.
Sugar Sand Park opened in 1995 offering much more than ballfields. Volunteers constructed a science playground that allows children to learn while enjoying Florida's blue skies. Sugar Sand would eventually include a community center that houses the Children's Science Explorium and the Willow Theatre, a popular carousel, a roller hockey rink, outdoor basketball courts, a field house, two different nature trails and more.
Recognizing the District's added purpose, the Florida Legislature in 1996 officially changed the Greater Boca Raton Beach Tax District's name to the current Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District.
The District acquired the Boca Raton Swim and Racquet Center in 2000 from a private club. The District moved its headquarters to the site on St. Andrew's Blvd. in 2019, building on the same piece of the property that was formerly Chuck's Steakhouse. As part of the construction the District added a splash pad and playground to accompany its six-lane, 25-yard pool and 26 Har Tru tennis courts.
In 2017 the District undertook its largest project yet. With the City of Boca Raton selling its municipal golf course, city officials asked the District to purchase the land of the defunct Ocean Breeze Golf Course that winds through Boca Teeca with the intention of developing the land into a new municipal golf course for the Boca Raton community.
Those plans changed in 2020 when The Boca Raton gifted the city its golf course on Congress Ave. That news prompted District Commissioners to pivot to creating a park that still has golf elements, but also would be enjoyable for non-golfers. The design for North Park's east side is currently in the site plan approval process with the City of Boca Raton. District Commissioners recently selected Boca Paddle to create a pickleball club on the site. Walking and riding trails are coming soon. The clearing of invasive plants from a portion of the site will begin shortly.
Not all of the District's contributions come through park ownership. The District continues to fund the operation of Red Reef Park and Gumbo Limbo.
The District funds Mizner Bark, which opened in 2005 giving Boca Raton's canine community a place to sniff around. The District also funds the Countess de Hoernle Spanish River Athletic Facility. That park opened in 2012, satisfying the need for even more athletic fields. The District continues to pay for the upkeep of the community-used soccer fields at FAU.
Even with all these inland purchases, District Commissioners did find time to return to its beach-going roots. In 1994 the District purchased 15 acres of land stretching from the Atlantic to the Intracoastal. The District restored Ocean Strand to its native state, removing invasive plants and even uncovering a Native American midden site believed to be at least 600 years old.
Ocean Strand opened in 2023, offering walking trails and a wonderful view of the Intracoastal.
For 50 years, District Commissioners committed to keeping Boca Raton green and athletic. That commitment remains as strong today as it was in 1974.
Every month, as part of the District's 50th Anniversary Celebration, we're highlighting the District's biggest accomplishments from the past half century. Below are previous stories.
The District purchased the Ocean Breeze golf course in 2017, preserving green space for what will become North Park.
The District purchased the land that would become Patch Reef Park in 1982. Construction began in 1983.
An aerial look at Sugar Sand Park before park development began.
Ballfields make their appearance at Sugar Sand Park.