Alice Mickens Park is located in the historic Northwest neighborhood in West Palm Beach. In the…read more1920's this neighborhood was booming after WWI and it was made up of impressive homes owned by affluent middle class blacks. One such home was the Mickens house which was a destination of black scholars and intellectuals and visitors who were refused lodging at nearby hotels. These included Count Basie and Louis Armstrong when they were performing in the area. Other notable people who came here to meet with the Mickens family included Nobel Peace Prize laureate Ralph Bunche, Asa Philip Randolph, who organized the first predominantly Black labor union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, and Mary McLeod Bethune, founder of Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach in 1929, who came to West Palm Beach to raise money and persuade the state Legislature to build a home for young Black women who would have otherwise been put in prison. Alice Mickens passed away in 1988 at the age of 99. She lived by the mantra "Service is the price you pay for the stint you have on earth." Alice Mickens was sixth and youngest child of former slaves from South Carolina. Dr. Mickens was born in Bartow, but moved to West Palm Beach at an early age. She was an honors graduate from Spelman College in Atlanta. Later in life Mickens served as a trustee at Bethune-Cookman for more than three decades and received an honorary doctorate from the university. A science lecture hall there is named in her honor. Dr. Alice Mickens may be best remembered as a pioneer for black voting rights. Dr. Moore's 1917 home built by her husband Haley Mickens and which has the distinction of being the oldest home continuously owned by a black and the Northwest neighborhood are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Through the years the neighborhood deteriorated but exciting things are happening. The city is in the process of identifying historic structures and drafting plans that include residential spaces and a restaurant. Some of the construction is happening across the street from the park. Alice Mickens Park offers am acre of recreational space in the midst of this historic neighborhood. Park amenities include a shade covered playground with areas for toddlers and older children, a full size basketball court, and benches. This park is the heart of a historic community in transmission. As a champion of historic preservation, I can't wait to see what the next chapter holds.

One of the last projects of Addison Mizner's storied architectural career resides in the center of…read morethe town of Palm Beach. Mizner moved to the area in 1918 and that same year he completed his first project, The Everglades Club. He was well known for his use of the Mediterranean style in his buildings which proliferated all over Palm Beach and Boca over the next decade. During the Great Depression the Memorial Fountain Commission chaired by Harold S. Vanderbilt, commissioned a fountain from Addison Mizner. It was presented in 1929 to the Town of Palm Beach as a "gift for its residents." Mizner based his design of the Fountain of the Sea Horses, an 18th century art piece created by Christopher Unterberget at the Villa Borghese in Rome Italy. The double bowl cast stone fountain features four mythical seahorses also called hippocamps from Greek and Roman mythology. The fountain is located at the end of linear plaza passive park which also contains reflecting pools, walkways, and palm trees. The park was dedicated in 1925 to the memory of Henry M. Flagler who brought the railroad and development to Florida and Elisha N. Dimick who opened the first hotel in Palm Beach, the Cocoanut Grove House in 1880. A World War II memorial plaque was added in 1985. In 2017 the fountain was restored for 1.5 million dollars and it won a national public works award. Experts were brought in from all over North America and the fountain was taken apart in pieces and the hippocamps were trucked to Ontario, Canada while other parts of the fountain were repaired in Delray Beach, and the base was fixed onsite. Once finished, the fountain won the top prize on the category of historical restoration projects that cost less than 5 million. The fountain was the start of the 7.9 million dollar Town Square restoration project that began in February of 2015 and was completed in December of that year. Today the fountain is a well known Palm Beach landmark and it is a popular photography spot. In fact on the day I visited it was being used by a wedding party. If you can't get to Italy you can at least experience a little bit of European design in Palm Beach, thanks to the talented Addison Mizner.

This is a beautiful fountain park only wish I could have sat at this park but with the corona virus…read more,it best to just view it quickly. If you can come and see it one day . Dedicated by the Memorial Fountain Commission in 1929 and located in the commercial heart of the Town of Palm Beach, the plaza was presented to the town by Harold S. Vanderbilt, its chairman, "as a gift from its residents." The design was by local architect Addison Mizner. Mizner moved to Palm Beach in 1918 and later that year completed his first commission, the Everglades Club. For the next decade, his celebrated Mediterranean Revival style would proliferate in Palm Beach and Boca Raton with commissions also in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Memorial Fountain Park, realized during the Great Depression, was one of his last commissions. The design is a simple linear plaza with a central reflecting pool lined by walks, tightly clipped hedges and evenly spaced palms. On the upper terrace is a central fountain, inspired by the Fountain of the Sea Horses, an 18th century work by Christopher Unterberger at the Villa Borghese in Rome, Italy. Twin sets of staircases running the entire width of the plaza provide access to the upper terrace. The lower staircase on axis with the fountain has a central rill spilling into the pool. The plaza is punctuated by alcoves and walls for seating, and entrance piers with urns marking the arrival to the upper terrace and lower plaza. A World War II memorial plaque was added in 1985.

Betty Thomas passed away in 2011. She was committed to the school system and her community. She…read moreserved as a teacher, assistant principal and principal. During her lifetime she received many honors and awards. When she joined Boynton Beach Board of Parks and Recreation she was influential in establishing many parks. It is only fitting then that a park was dedicated to her in 2007 in the community she so loved. The Betty Thomas Park is a small neighborhood park running along the railroad tracks. Park amenities include a basketball court, benches, bike rack, open play area, playground, restrooms, picnic tables, and a grill. Unless you live in the neighborhood you probably wouldn't visit this small park. Still it is nice that the community chose to honor one of it's influential residents this way.

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. Pine Tree Park is one of five parks in Lake Clarke Shores. You can find it directly across from Memorial Park at the head of Lake Clarke. In 1978, the Town purchased the old Town Hall and Water Company site on Pine Tree Lane. The building there was razed despite requests by both Garden Clubs to use it as their headquarters. Today, the Town has developed the area as Pine Tree Park and built a heart trail with a landscaped 1/8 mile walking path and 5 exercise stations. There are also picnic tables and open space for play. Improvements may soon be coming to Pine Tree Park. In September the town met to discuss a $200,000 grant application for the Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program to help finance improvements at Pine Tree Park.

Cute little park to let the kiddos play, walking distance to the beach, or the Marine life Center…read more Perfect day out with the family.

I have driven by this park many times, but I didn't realize it was separate from 'the parking lot…read moreof the Marinelife Center.' But, it is its own park, and it stretches from A1A Beach Road to US1! It contains: -a big parking lot that allows access to the beach across the street -a grassy area of pavilions and picnic tables -a pirate playground -the (elusive) entrance to the East side of the Juno Dunes Natural Area, which I wasn't sure actually existed. -a bathroom facility -its own nature trail This parking lot is a decent size with free parking. The pavilion of bathrooms are clean and well-maintained, especially if you are headed to the beach. The picnic tables are calling out for (kid birthday) party use, especially with the beach, playground and marinelife center all in walking distance. I came here specifically for the playground. It is shaped like a pirate ship. It has a sandy bottom. It has some swings also. It is not fenced, but it is set back from the parking lot decently and no where near the roads. I didn't get too involved with the pirate ship (because I perched at the closest bench) but my kids definitely loved it.

Lakewood Gardens started as a census designated community in Palm Beach County. In 2011 it was…read moreannexed by Palm Springs making it an official part of that city. Today Lakewood Gardens is known as a modest, residential. family friendly neighborhood. While in the area I popped into this park to get a few steps in. I was impressed that the entire park is fenced in which I am sure is a relief for parents with young children. There are quite a few amenities in this welcoming neighborhood park. These include a shade covered, ADA accessible playground, barbecue grills, basketball court, benches, pavilions, picnic tables, a sand volleyball court, and paved walkways. Overall Lakewood Gardens Park is a pleasant and accessible neighborhood park that offers locals a place for casual outings, picnics, active play, and relaxed afternoons. This open park feels clean and safe.

This park is located on the corner of Parker Avenue and Hampton Road. We took Parker Avenue to our…read morelunch restaurant. One of my husband's grandsons is named Parker so we were curious and took the road north instead of heading to US1. The park is right north/next to the Riker Athletic Campus -- part of the Palm Beach Atlantic College (not FAU). And I don't think most of the families using this park even question how it was named or care. You can google or go to Wikipedia for this information. When we stopped by everything was so vibrantly green -- including a large grassy "sports" area where two guys were practicing their soccer kicks. The park has many amenities -- both a bike and walking path (paved), a children's playground, toilet facilities and a water fountain. The most appealing area to me was the splash pad. There were some interesting trees with a bit of shade. I especially liked that there were picnic tables and benches throughout so parents could watch their kids. The park is open sunrise to sunset. Glad we stopped to check it out.

Heading to lunch and our trip brought us past this park that we had to check out…read more A nice park that is very well maintained and enjoyed by families. We saw a couple of families enjoying the water works set up in one part where the children were enjoying the water and parents watching comfortably from their benches. Restroom facilities are available as well as other playground equipment on the other side of the facilities. Lots of parking available and a large field for other activities.

This small park is in the West Settlers Historic District in Delray Beach. Originally called the…read moresands for it's sandy soil, it was established in 1894 as the first African American community in Delray Beach. Settlers came from north and west Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina in order to work in the agriculture industry. The neighborhood is located from NW 2nd Ave to NE 6th Ave. Houses are in the frame vernacular style, bungalow, and mission revival styles that were popular in the 1920's. The neighborhood was added to the Local Register of Historic Places in 1997. Originally developed by the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, as a result of the 2002 Downtown Master Plan, the park was named the West Atlantic Plaza before being renamed in August of 2012 in honor of Elizabeth "Libby" Jackson Wesley, a longtime resident and community activist. Born in DeFuniak Springs Florida, Libby moved to Delray Beach where she worked as a substitute teacher before becoming a full-time employee with the Palm Beach County School District, where she had a 37-year career. Mother to four children, Libby Wesley has dedicated her life to her family and volunteer work. Some of the many organizations she worked with include the Delray Beach Rotary Club, the Urban League of Palm Beach County, the NAACP, and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. In Delray Beach, In 1978 she was the co-founder of the Roots Cultural Festival, which ran for over twenty years and has now been turned from a one day event into year-round programming and a summer weekend festival celebrating African American culture. Awards Libby Wesley has received include the Old School Square Lifetime Achievement Award; the Service Above Self Award from the Rotary Club of Delray Beach; the JM Family Enterprises African American Achiever's Award; the Sojourner Truth Award; and the Sun Sentinel Publisher's Award. Park amenities include native landscaping, a small outdoor stage, benches, and a bike rack. There are two public art art works in the plaza. Endurance is a steal and mosaic glass installation celebrating the Caribbean pioneers who came to this area to farm and fish. The west side of the park shares a wall with a building on which is painted a red and white mural by David Paul Kay which includes as frog as a nod to Delray Beach's Frog Alley. Frog Alley is a street that had a nickname that has now been recognized officially by the city. Frog Alley is in the West Settlers Historic District and it was settled by Bahamians. When it would rain, the street would flood attracting a chorus of frogs. I discovered Libby Wesley Plaza while grabbing lunch at the Bear Snack Shack next door. This isn't what you would typically think of as a park. It is more of a plaza where the community can gather to celebrate events and performances in the city. For instance a weekly Zumba class is held here. This plot of land also honors the history of the Caribbean pioneers who settled Delray Beach when it was nothing more than a mosquito filled swamp.