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Everglades Holiday Park
Everglades Holiday Park is a Broward County regional park and is located at 21940 Griffin Road in Southwest Ranches, Florida, 33332, one-half mile west of US 27.
Why? To achieve the optimal public recreational experience at Everglades Holiday Park (EHP)Broward County is collecting information related to Everglades Holiday Park in order to develop a vision of the optimal opportunities for public recreation for the area. The vision must not only reflect the recreational needs of residents and visitors, but also recognize environmental and regulatory constraints, our history and heritage, and historical educational opportunities in a sustainable manner.
What? A farmer's legacy of public recreation to Broward County Everglades Holiday Park is strategically located on land that was owned by a Broward County farmer who generously contributed the site to Broward County for public recreational use. The site was identified as a proposed recreational site by the agency that ultimately became the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Broward County leased the land to the agency that is now known as the Florida Fish and Game Conservation Commission, which in turn subleased it to a series of concessionaires. The concessionaires have operated airboat rides, bait sales, snack bar/refreshments, boat rentals, and a campsite. The site's four boat ramps provide boaters access to a significant portion of the Everglades. EHP is Broward County's only direct access to the Florida Everglades. Currently an educational group called Science Eye runs an environmental science education program for school children and others. The SFWMD's Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP)has preliminary plans for a parking area, a bridge over the C-11 canal, restrooms, and an informational kiosk immediately adjacent to the site. Broward County's Greenways and Blueways master plan proposes a major trailhead at the site that would ultimately provide multipurpose trail access throughout Broward County.
Who? Interested Parties
It is important that all parties that have an interest in the potential of Everglades Holiday Park provide their valuable input!
| Local Government and Recreation Departments
While all the municipalities of Broward County have potential interest in the facilities, the municipalities of Southwest Ranches, Weston, Pembroke Pines, and the Town of Davie may be especially interested due to their close proximity to Everglades Holiday Park. All are located within miles of EHP. In addition to general concerns, their recreation staff may have specific interest in the possible facilities and the ability to accommodate a wide range of recreational programs.
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Recreation Users
Some recreational users are: air-boaters, anglers, birders, campers, equestrians, hikers, bikers, kayakers, canoeists, power boaters, picnickers, tourists, scouts, and photographers. Many such users are involved in organizations such as: Florida Trail Riders, International Game Fish Association, Broward County Airboat, Halftrack and Conservation Club, Everglades Bass Masters of South Florida, South Florida Anglers for Everglades Restoration, etc.
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| Educators
Public and private schools, local colleges, universities (BCC, FAU, FIU, Nova, McFatter Technical Center, etc.), and organizations such as Science Eye may be interested in the potential environmental, historical, educational, interpretive, and recreational opportunities.
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Green Builders
The U.S. Green Builders Council, the Florida Chapter together with its coalition of students and professionals, the Emerging Green Builders, may help proposed recreational facilities highlight green building principles. Many of the principles of green building were practiced by the native Americans and early pioneer settlers.
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| Environmentalists
Those who are concerned with the preservation of natural resources and desire to educate the public on the ecological, aesthetic, and spiritual values of the natural environment may be interested in using Everglades Holiday Park. These individuals are often associated with organizations such as the Audubon Society, Sierra Club, Friends of the Everglades, the Native Plant Society, etc.
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History and Heritage
Our community’s roots provide a critical sense of place that reflects our unique place in the world and the contributions of our ancestors. Some of the groups that can help identify and interpret our roots are: the Miccosukee Tribe of Florida, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, Dillard High School, the State Office of Historic Preservation, and the Broward Historical Commission.
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| Regulatory and Service Agencies
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How? Come, contact, commit, collect, and communicate!
Everyone should contact all parties that may be interested in the potential of Everglades Holiday Park. If possible meet as a group and at least have a representative participate in the forthcoming workshops to collect data and discuss the park’s potential.
Public Forum Scheduled - May 28, 2008
The Broward County Parks and Recreation Division invites the public to a Public Participation Forum at the Long Key Natural Area (3501 S.W. 130th Ave., Davie) on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, from 7 to 9 p.m. This free meeting is the public's opportunity to provide suggestions, voice concerns, and ask questions about the recreational needs at Everglades Holiday Park. For more information, call Sheryl Dickey, Dickey Consulting Services Inc., 954-467-6822, or e-mail at sdickey@dickeyinc.com.
If you cannot attend a workshop yourself, please send a representative to provide your input and keep you informed. At the very least, please e-mail your ideas, concerns, and comments to Dickey Consulting Services Inc. or fax them to 954-467-7033.
We also invite you to visit our other Broward County Parks.
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