From David Volz
Oakland will soon have a new and improved park for residents to play a wide variety of sports or just relax and spend time with friends.
Greenleaf Park is nearing completion, bringing another major improvement to Park Lane East and creating a new place for residents to play, gather, and enjoy the outdoors. Oakland Park will have an event on August 27 at 10 a.m. for a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of this new downtown destination.
Greenleaf Park will feature basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts, a playground, a shaded pavilion, parking, lighting, and landscaping. The park is being delivered by Horizon Oakland Park LLC at no cost to the city. Its opening marks another step in the continued improvements of Park Lane, creating a growing corridor of parks, trails, recreation, and public spaces stretching from east to west.
The Florida League of Cities has honored Oakland Park’s work to turn a long-term vision into new investment, housing, businesses, and public spaces. Oakland Park is building opportunities for residents.
That spirit recently earned statewide recognition when the Florida League of Cities presented Oakland Park with its 2026 Municipal Achievement Award for Economic Advancement, honoring the transformation taking shape in the heart of downtown. The award reflects what more people now see downtown: a busier, more active district full of promise.
Every great downtown has an origin story. Oakland Park’s begins with the Sky Building, constructed on a site that, not long ago, sat vacant and contaminated while generating no tax value for the city. Rather than allow the land to remain idle, the city rolled up its sleeves. It secured Opportunity Zone and Brownfield designations, modernized land-use policies, gathered community input, created a plan, assembled key properties, invested in infrastructure, and sought a development partner who shared the city’s vision.
The City of Fort Lauderdale Force Main Replacement Project on Park Lane East/NE 38th Street is in the final restoration phase. As part of the work, the contractor is resurfacing the full length of Park Lane East from Dixie Highway to Federal Highway, rather than only the intersections directly affected by construction. Resurfacing is currently underway and is expected to be completed tonight. Once paving is complete, the final remaining roadway work will be the installation of pavement markings. The city appreciates the leadership of Mayor Arnst and the Commission, as well as the residents who shared their input and advocated for a more comprehensive restoration of the roadway.
