BOCA RATON’S OCEAN STRAND PARK A FINALIST FOR $75,000 PRIZE

The Boca Raton community can bring additional funding to the development of Ocean Strand Park by voting in free contest. 

BOCA RATON, Fla. (JULY 27, 2022) – The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District is a finalist in a contest that could yield $75,000 toward the development of Ocean Strand Park.

Ocean Strand is one of 10 contenders that survived the cut in the National Recreation and Park Association’s “Perk Your Park” competition. The contest, sponsored by Niagara Bottling, awards three parks $75,000 each based on the results of an internet election.

“We’re extremely happy that the National Recreation and Park Association thought highly enough of Ocean Strand to make us one of its Top 10 finalists,” District chair Erin Wright said. “Ocean Strand will be a great natural park. Now, the Boca Raton community can vote to earn money that will offset the development cost.”

Beginning Monday, August 1, Boca Raton community members can visit NiagaraPerkYourPark.com to cast their vote for Boca Raton’s Ocean Strand Park. Each voter can do so once per day through September 12, the contest’s final day.

Located at 2300 N Ocean Blvd, between Spanish River Blvd. and Palmetto Park Rd., Ocean Strand is a 14-acre parcel of land that stretches from A1A to the Intracoastal.

The District purchased Ocean Strand in 1994 with the idea of creating a public park that accentuates the property’s natural features and beauty. Recently, the District cleared invasive vegetation from the site in preparation for the creation of natural walking trails through the mangroves. 

The Perk Your Park Contest is part of the Niagara Perk Your Park Project, an initiative that focuses on park and community space revitalization across the country. After funding two projects in 2021, Niagara is giving communities a chance to cast their votes for which projects receive funding next.

Finishing among the contest’s Top 3 will give Boca Raton the chance to show off its natural side while relieving the burden tax payers. 

About the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District: The District is committed to the acquisition and development of parks and recreation facilities. It seeks to provide entertaining and engaging leisure, educational, athletic and cultural activities to all of its residents and guests. The District owns multiple recreational facilities and/or parks in the Boca Raton area, including Sugar Sand Park, Patch Reef Park, the Swim and Racquet Center and Ocean Strand. In addition, through interlocal agreements with the City of Boca Raton, it funds the operating expenses of the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Red Reef Park, Spanish River Athletic Facilities and Mizner Bark Dog Park.

Niagara Bottling, LLC has been family owned and operated since 1963. Headquartered in Diamond Bar, CA, Niagara operates bottling facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico. As a leading beverage manufacturer in the U.S., Niagara Bottling works closely with some of the largest beverage brands, retailers, grocers, club and convenience stores throughout the country. Niagara produces a variety of beverages including bottled water, sparkling, vitamin and flavored water, teas, sports drinks, ready-to-drink coffee, protein drinks and non-dairy milk products. For more information, visit niagarawater.com.

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this vision by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit parksandrecreation.org.

Niagara Cares is a philanthropic arm of Niagara Bottling, committed to supporting local and national community initiatives by engaging stakeholders and investing its resources for disadvantaged children and their families. Niagara Cares initiatives include national strategic partnerships, local community grants, employee engagement, volunteerism and the Andrew D. Peykoff, Sr. Scholarship Program. For more information, visit niagarawater.com/niagara-cares.