District Commissioners voted unanimously Monday to accept Maracore’s bid to turn Ocean Strand into a passive park by year’s end. Aug. 11 meeting set for public Q&A.
Caption: Ocean Strand’s 11 acres between A1A and the Intracoastal will be converted into a public walking park during Phase I of the park’s construction.
BOCA RATON, Fla. (Aug. 4, 2020) – Boca Raton’s newest public park has a designer.
Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District Commissioners on Monday unanimously approved the bid from Maracore Builders to design and create Phase I of Ocean Strand passive park, opening the park to the public by year’s end.
“I am so pleased that we’re moving forward to give residents the kind of natural park they want,” Commissioner Steven Engel said. “This vote should put to rest any lingering rumors about Ocean Strand. It will be a park open to the public – one everyone in the community can enjoy.”
The 14-acre Ocean Strand property is located between Spanish River Blvd. and Palmetto Park Rd. on A1A, stretching from the beach to the Intracoastal. Phase I focuses on the 11 acres west of A1A.
District commissioners scheduled a special virtual public meeting for Tuesday, Aug. 11 at 5:15 p.m. to allow community residents to ask questions and provide feedback about the design and anticipated timeline. Representatives from Maracore, along with current commissioners, will be in attendance.
“We believe community input is at the heart of great parks,” Commission Chair Susan Vogelgesang said.
Maracore’s $100,000 bid includes the creation of a walking trail, clearing of invasive vegetation and the installation of benches and picnic tables.
AGTLand Landscape Architecture, a consultant on the renovation of Boca Raton’s Red Reef Park, is partnering with Maracore for the Ocean Strand project. Their familiarity with the local environment will benefit to the project.
Initially, Ocean Strand will be a pedestrian park.
“Preserving green space in Boca Raton is the District’s top priority and one I take seriously,” Commission Vice-Chair Erin Wright said. “I’m proud to be a part of the group that will open Ocean Strand to the public.”
The District purchased Ocean Strand with the idea of creating a public park that accentuates the property’s natural features and beauty, believing that additional open space and access to both the Intracoastal and the beach would allow the community to appreciate Boca Raton’s natural beauty in a relaxed setting.
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.
