From David Volz
The land area known as Huizenga Park will soon have a grand opening for its $15 million renovation.
The park, located in downtown Fort Lauderdale at 32 East Las Olas Boulevard, will reopen on Jan. 24 after a two-year redesign.
Those who walk along New River will find a modern new 3.6-acre space with 88 new shade trees, lush landscaping and a series of distinctive outdoor “rooms” that have something for everyone.
The renovation includes a fenced dog run, a play area with rolling, climbable hills and Sweetwaters, a stylish two-story restaurant.
The restaurant, built by the same group that owns the Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne, is currently under construction and expected to open in fall 2026. In addition to the grand opening there will be a year of free events.
Fort Lauderdale’s Downtown Development Authority, owner of the park, lead the transformation, leveraging its ownership of the land and securing public, private and philanthropic support for the $15 million makeover.
Fort Lauderdale added $5 million and the state contributed $1 million. Private donors and the DDA provided the rest.
Huizenga Park, first built by the Downtown Development Authority in the late 1990s, has been a key downtown destination for decades. In 2003, the park was named after the legendary entrepreneur and philanthropist Wayne Huizenga, former owner of the Miami Dolphins. A self-made billionaire, Huizenga built his fortune by turning Waste Management, Blockbuster Video and AutoNation into corporate giants.
