Kenwood Park is a 0.31 acre pocket park in Greenacres. Pocket parks are generally less than half an…read moreacre in size and can offer a variety of amenities for the public. This type of mini park arose from a desire within communities to create spaces for outdoor recreation instead of adding more buildings or leaving land vacant. Kenwood Pocket Park is a wonderful recreational resource for the Kenwood Estates community, a census-designated place located between Greenacres and Palm Springs in Palm Beach County. Although tiny, this park offers a lot. Park amenities include play equipment with a fun tower climbing structure, slides, swings, and a smaller play area for younger children. There are also benches and a basketball half-court. The park is nicely landscaped and well kept, with tall trees providing welcome shade. I had the park to myself as I sat on a bench and mapped out my next destination. Kenwood Park is an example of how much a pocket park can give to a community in terms of recreation within a small footprint.

We stopped to visit this quiet small park nestled inside a residential community with slides,…read more jungle gymn, swings, benches and a half court for basketball players. It was sunny when we stopped and the benches catching some shade from the nearby trees were inviting. Walking around, you could tell that the grounds and the equipment are well maintained. A nice asset for the residents and children living in the area.

Ironwood Neighborhood Park is a pocket park located across from Palm Beach Gardens Elementary…read moreSchool. Pocket parks are generally less than half an acre in size and can offer a variety of amenities for the public. This type of mini park arose from a desire within communities to create spaces for outdoor recreation instead of adding more buildings or leaving land vacant. Originally, the land for this park was intended to serve as an entrance to the city. Plans changed when city founder John D. MacArthur decided he needed a closer entrance to the RCA plant. The land was owned by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for years before it was sold to a developer, who then returned it to the city to meet a requirement for providing recreational space. Built in 2017, the park was designed by Deputy Director of Public Services and Emergency Management, Angela Brown. What makes this pocket park so special is the creative playground equipment. Ironwood Neighborhood Park features two zip lines, a swing set, climbing equipment, and a slide. The park also has picnic tables and a water fountain. For safety, the play area is fully fenced in. I couldn't resist trying the seated zip line myself and it was so much fun. It is disability accessible as well. This well thought out park is a valuable recreational resource for the neighborhood.

Oswego Oaks Neighborhood Park is a community success story. This 3-acre parcel on the southwest…read morecorner of Oswego Avenue and Seminole Boulevard was owned by the Community Redevelopment Agency. It is located across from the Westgate Recreation Center. For years, it was used for illegal dumping and loitering. Construction of Oswego Oaks Neighborhood Park was completed in late 2019, transforming what was once an eyesore into a community asset. The development of the park is part of the L-2 Canal Greenway Project outlined in the CRA's Community Redevelopment Plan. The plan called for the creation of a linear park with connections to other public spaces and amenities. Today, the park features an event pavilion and performance area, winding pathways shaded by mature oak trees, seating areas, a food truck zone, and enhanced landscaping. A sign within the park also provides information about CRA programs and projects. The park renovations have attracted visitors who come to enjoy outdoor yoga. During one visit, I rescued a turtle from the nearby roadway and safely returned it to the canal. I appreciate how the CRA transformed a once blighted area into a valuable resource for the community.

Heart and Soul Park opened on June 19, 2021 in the Northwest Historic district in West Palm Beach…read more This neighborhood dates back to when Henry Flagler announced plans to extend the Florida East Coast Railway to Southeastern Florida. Blacks from northern Florida, Georgia, and the Bahamas moved to this area for work. When West Palm Beach was incorporated in 1894, it became the oldest municipality in Palm Beach County. During segregation the black community lived and worked here adding their own identity and culture to the city. Heart and Soul Park was designed to pay tribute to the musical history of the Northwest community. The park is next to Sunset Lounge known as the Cotton Club of the South. In the 1940s and 1950s, the Sunset Lounge was one of the premier African-American entertainment venues in the south. Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong were some of the artists who played here and they are honored next door in the park. The West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency is currently restoring this iconic music and entertainment venue. Heart and Soul Park was built as a continuation of the adjacent award-winning 7th Street Streetscape. The musical themed park includes a musical themed playground and swing set under shades. Along the piano key-themed walkway are history stations, art work, instruments to play, picnic tables, benches, and concrete walls that offer additional seating. The park has also been beautifully landscaped. The city also put new art into the park that pays tribute to the history of the area and to the musical trailblazers that used to play next door at the Sunset Lounge. The recently completed mosaic public art project modeled on vintage posters and record covers was created by Dominican South Florida-based artist Elio Mercado also known as Evoca1. It was designed to celebrate the neighborhood's heritage. Names featured in the art include the original owners of the Sunset Lounge, Dennis and Thelma Starks, Florida's first black woman legislator, Gwen Cherry, the first black doctor in West Palm Beach, Dr. Thomas Leroy Jefferson, black educational pioneer Alice E. Moore, musician Ray Charles, architect Hazel Augustus, jazz pianist Count Basie, and musician James Brown plus many more. There are QR codes on the art so you can learn more about the people represented. One unusual thing I noticed about this park was that it has a full time security guard. This is the first park I have ever been that has its own security. As I was taking pictures I was followed and I started to feel unwelcome. There weren't any signs that said photography was prohibited. Other than that strange interaction I really like how this park combines history and art in a way that children and families in the can enjoy. It is also a great place for the city to stage community events.

This is very nice neighborhood park. If you don't live in the area there is no reason to make a…read moretrip out here but if you do live near here this is a great place to take the kids to play and help you keep active. The park only has about 6 parking spaces. There is a small pavilion and playground. The main attraction of the park is the large green space perfect for kids to run around on or play football or soccer games. The perimeter fitness path that runs at the edge of the field is a half mile and can be used for running, walking, and biking. There are 12 health station intervals along the path if you would like additional exercises. Dogs are allowed if they are on leashes.

A nice sunny afternoon to visit a local residential park. A…read moretranquil setting that is well maintained and a place for local Young adults, children and patents to visit. I also spotted an open green area with poles to set up a volley ball net.

Just under an acre, this neighborhood park is operated by Palm Beach County. It's open sunrise to…read moresunset. They have a bike rack, a mini pavilion (gazebo), a play structure to climb, swings, a few benches, and a circular paved path with a few shade trees. Past the junior/half court baseball -- with one net, there's an open field that used to have a volleyball net. The field can be rented. This is a nice little park at the end of the street in a residential neighborhood. A little off the beaten track, you probably would come here unless you lived nearby.

Lake Clarke Shores is a small residential town in Palm Beach County. It was founded by John Newton…read moreClarke who arrived in Lake Worth in 1889. He worked various jobs before establishing a homestead and fishing camp. Lake Clarke bears his name. The land was developed into a town when West Palm Beach attorney William Travers purchased land that became exposed when the waters of Lake Clarke fell. He developed the land and sold lots and by 1956 there were 150 registered voters living in the area. The town was fearful of being annexed into West Palm Beach so in 1957 they voted to incorporate themselves as the town of Lake Clarke Shore. Community Park is one of five parks in Lake Clarke Shores. This well maintained park has something for all ages to enjoy. There are two pickleball courts, 2-5 year old tot lot playground, 5-11 year old playground, benches, outdoor fitness equipment, a multipurpose field, picnic pavilions, and a restroom. I enjoyed strolling through the park on the 1/4 mile walking trail. Community Park reaffirms Lake Clarke Shores commitment to providing inviting outdoor spaces for recreation. This park represents the town's small-town, family-friendly atmosphere.

Lake Clarke Shores is a small residential town in Palm Beach County. It was founded by John Newton…read moreClarke who arrived in Lake Worth in 1889. He worked various jobs before establishing a homestead and fishing camp. Lake Clarke bears his name. The land was developed into a town when West Palm Beach attorney William Travers purchased land that became exposed when the waters of Lake Clarke fell. He developed the land and sold lots and by 1956 there were 150 registered voters living in the area. The town was fearful of being annexed into West Palm Beach so in 1957 they voted to incorporate themselves as the town of Lake Clarke Shores. Memorial Park was created with public land at the head of Lake Clarke. Walter Travers deeded the land to the town in exchange for issuing a permit for his water company. For years it remained an unnamed area although some people referred to it as Travers Park. When Paul H. Cline became Lake Clarke Shores first casualty in Vietnam on February 6, 1968, the council decided to name it Memorial Park to honor Paul and anyone else who would pass away during war time. Another young man who lost his life is also honored here. Scott Alan Powell was only thirteen when he was struck and killed by a car as he bicycled along Pine Tree Lane while delivering newspapers. Donations from residents provided the plaque in Memorial Park for Scott. Memorial Park has benches and picnic tables so you can sit and take in the view of Lake Clarke. It also is the site of the town Christmas tree. The memorial plaques are by the fountain. A few steps away from Memorial Park is Pine Tree Park that has a heart course. I have driven by this park so many times. I am glad I finally stopped in today for a few minutes to take in the peaceful vibe and calming water view.