From David Volz
The City of Oakland Park is creating a new dog park where people will be able to let their pets run free. The City Commission recently approved plans to purchase equipment for a new dog park at Richard E. Giusti Heart Par Cours at 600 NE 38th Street. Plans call for ten pieces of canine agility equipment to provide a fun and safe space for dogs to play and promote a sense of community among their owners. Additional upgrades planned for the park include parking on NE 36th Street, a new sidewalk, drainage improvements, and new equipment. Construction is expected to begin this week and be completed in December. Park upgrades are part of a citywide effort to build for Oakland Park’s second century and provide quality amenities to residents throughout the community.
Work began this month on the new Community Garden on the vacant City lot next to Dr. Carter G. Woodson Park. The garden is part of a two-phase project that will include improvements to Dr. Carter G. Woodson Park at 3490 NE 3rd Avenue in Harlem McBride. The City has secured over $175,000 in grants to completely fund phase one, which will include raised garden beds, fencing, and a new pathway. Phase two will include improvements to Dr. Carter G. Woodson Park, including a new asphalt parking lot, a new rubberized playground surface, and improvements to lighting, playground equipment, and landscaping.
The state has activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, making $5 million available for businesses impacted by flooding. Businesses in Broward, including sole proprietors, are eligible to apply. The program provides short-term, zero-interest loans of up to $50,000 to small businesses that experienced economic injury or physical damage due to the recent flooding.
Oakland Park leaders want people to be aware that heavy rains are likely most days. The rainy season typically begins in mid-May, but given the historic rainfall South Florida experienced a few weeks ago, we encourage our community to be prepared for heavy rain over the next several months.
Low-lying areas throughout South Florida are prone to flooding due to the flat topography and shallow, porous aquifer. As the sea level rises, water underground rises to the ground surface. The high groundwater levels limit the amount of stormwater that can be absorbed into the ground. During heavy rain, stormwater that is not absorbed flows to the drainage system, overwhelming the system and its ability to drain water quickly. Consequently, flooding occurs. The ground is saturated after the recent heavy rain, which makes the area more vulnerable to localized flooding. That is why it is essential to be prepared.
In the last 15 years, the City of Oakland Park has invested more than $60 million in infrastructure improvements, including $11 million to build the Sleepy River pump station to move water from roadways to the C-13 canal and reduce flooding in Lloyd Estates and surrounding areas.
