Wright For The Job

With 2025 primed to become one of the busiest and most consequential years in Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District history, Commissioners decided to stick with the leadership that brought them to this point.

As the first item of business during 2025's initial meeting Commissioners elected Erin Wright to chair the District for the fourth consecutive year.

“It's wonderful to have the confidence of the other Commissioners that I could do a really good job,” Wright said. “And to be able to see some of the projects through for the next year, I think it's going to be great.”

As chair last year, Wright stewarded the start of two major projects at Patch Reef Park. Late in the year crews began the construction of a covered pickleball complex and a new inclusive playground that allows children of all abilities to play side-by-side. Both Patch Reef projects are expected to be completed and open to the public before the end of 2025.

Later this year work is expected to begin on North Park. Located at the site of the former Ocean Breeze Golf Course within the Boca Teeca section of Boca Raton, North Park will ultimately include Boca Paddle's indoor pickleball facility, a dog park, a community garden, playgrounds, fitness areas, pavilions, restrooms, and trails for mountain bikes and walking.

Wright expects the Patch Reef and North Park projects to command her focus in the coming months.

“I think it's definitely going to be the pickleball courts and North Park – getting North Park ground broken, getting those trails done, and figuring out how to phase everything for that,” Wright said. “I think that's the biggest project that we have this year that I'm looking forward to.”

During Wright's first three years as Chair, the District:

• Opened Ocean Strand Park 
• Conducted numerous public workshops to learn the community's wishes for North Park features 
• Completed the project bringing lights to the Boca Raton Racquet Center's tennis courts
• Doubled the number of pickleball courts currently available at Patch Reef Park
• Adapted Sugar Sand Park's outdoor roller hockey rink for futsal play 
• Brought the first installment of Boca Public Art to a District park 
• Completed construction of the new 40-foot tower at Gumbo Limbo featuring the Jacob's Outlook observation deck.

Commissioner Steve Engel offered a simple reason for nominating Wright to remain chair.

“I think the District has been operating in a good groove the past couple years and I figured if it's working well, why make a change?” Engel said.

Commissioners elected Bob Rollins, entering his 31st year of District Commissioner service, as vice-chair. Craig Ehrnst will reprise his role as treasurer.

“To have Bob as the vice-chair is going to be great,” Wright said. “Whenever I'm not there he'll take over. Of course, having Craig as the numbers cruncher is always wonderful because we have confidence in him with that, for sure.”