Message from Commissioner Aaronson

Sheila, Mary Lou, Vivian, Meaghan and I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Happy and Healthy New Year.       

Some of you will remember attending the Grand Opening of South County Regional Park in October, 1996.  It was the first of a three-phase development plan for the 853 acre park.  We began with athletic fields, tennis, volleyball and basketball courts, bike paths, fishing and picnic areas, playgrounds and other amenities.  Daggerwing Nature Center also opened then.  Phase 2 became a reality in June, 2000, when we opened the Coconut Cove Water Park & Recreation Center.  Children and adults were thrilled to use the 1,000-foot river ride and the intertwined slides.  There are also lap lanes, restrooms, showers, a game room, snack bar, offices and storage rooms.  Community groups and organizations were delighted to have a community center for their meetings.  The center is also used for social gatherings and can accommodate up to 280 people.  Phase 3 began with the opening of the Sunset Cove Amphitheater in March, 2008.  We had a wonderful party to celebrate this magnificent addition to the Park.  The following year, the main road linking the north, central and southern portions of the Park opened allowing residents to travel from one end of the park to the other.  We also opened the very popular Canine Cove Dog Park near the Amphitheater.

The perfect ending to Phase 3 came this past November when we opened the long- awaited 27-hole Osprey Point Golf Course.  The land where the Course is located was once entirely overgrown with Brazilian Peppers and other invasive exotics.  That land has been transformed into a scenic, waterside, golf course with newly planted native vegetation.  Staff of the Parks and Recreation Department worked with environmental groups and officials from the Loxahatchee Wildlife Refuge to reduce the irrigated acreage at the Course.  This collaboration resulted in the Parks and Recreation Department applying for certification as an Audubon International Classic Signature Golf Course.  To be certified, we increased the acres of natural habitat, enhanced environmental protection efforts, switched to a more environmentally-friendly grass and committed to maintaining the Course under the strict guidelines established by Audubon International. 

When we opened South County Regional Park in 1996, I don’t think anyone could imagine what we would have today.  I am very proud of the Park and I encourage all of you to visit and enjoy one of the most beautiful areas of District 5.

As always, I invite your comments on any issue of interest to you.  As your Commissioner, I am here to help you.  You may write me at 301 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, 33401 or call my staff at 276-1310 or toll free at 877-930-2205.  My email address is:  baaronso@pbcgov.org.