COMMISSIONER'S CORNER: Biggest Accomplishment

The five Commissioners who steward the Boca Raton Beach and Park District bring nearly 70 years of service to the board. They've helped create or grow many of the Boca Raton community's great parks. Considering all their experience, this week's Commissioner Corner question presented some difficult choices. We asked: During your tenure as a Commissioner, what's the District's biggest accomplishment?

BOB ROLLINS (Current Vice-Chair, Commissioner since 1994)
The District's Success Executing Projects: I can't single out any one thing, except to say that the District has consistently put forth the best recreational projects since I came on board 29 years ago. Whether it's signing the agreement with FAU to provide fields for us that we otherwise wouldn't have had; building Countess de Hoernle Park (AKA Spanish River Athletic Facility) after the city handed the project over to us and we did it under budget and on time; what we've done over at Sugar Sand Park - the carousel and rebuilding the playground or resurfacing the fields at Patch Reef with Sports Turf, they were all great accomplishments. 

There's not a single thing I can point out, but collectively we have put together an incredibly fantastic set of parks for our community to recreate in. I get excited about that, We put first class recreational facilities out there and we continue to maintain them in just that fashion. 

ERIN WRIGHT (Current Chair, Commissioner since 2016)
Preserving North Park and Ocean Strand Green Space: It's important because, with all the development that's happening around Boca Raton, there's so little green space left. It's nice to be able to say that we have this land and we're keeping it as green space, for the most part. Being part of that preservation as a District Commissioner is super important to me, because if there were other people on the commission, it might be much different.

SUSAN VOGELGESANG (Commissioner since 2010)
The Spanish River Athletic Facility's Universality: Since 2010, the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District has provided so many wonderful additions to the community such as the tanks and boardwalks at Gumbo Limbo, the playground at Sugar Sand Park, the new community center at the Swim and Racquet Center, and the volumes of improvements at all of the parks.

However, the Spanish River Athletic Facility (Countess de Hoernle Park) probably has the greatest impact on the largest number of residents both through tax dollar savings and level of enjoyment by such a great number of participants. Families recreate, walkers and runners stay fit on the trails around the water, and athletic groups compete on the rectangular and ball fields. This project helped me learn about the process of completing something on such a large scale in conjunction with the architects and builders. I look forward to see what the future brings with our future ventures for the benefit of our community.

STEVE ENGEL (Commissioner since 2012)
The Current Project Creating an Inclusive Playground at Patch Reef Park: It opens up that particular park to a whole new audience - to kids who don't have a place to play. This is open to every kid. Whether they have physical issues or other issues, they can come here. They can enjoy themselves and know they can keep up with other kids.

David Ogman brought this need to my attention. I can't thank him enough for doing that and for his input in the whole process.

CRAIG EHRNST (Treasurer, Commissioner since 2016)
The Significant Expansion of Community Green Space: The last few years were highlighted by the District's strategic acquisition of the 212-acre Ocean Breeze Golf Course. This visionary move, coupled with the successful opening of Ocean Strand Park and the robust support of youth sporting league events, has not only enhanced the area's recreational landscape but added to the human elements of community engagement and physical activity. It is a pleasure to work for the community and future generations.