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BOCA RATON — Construction began Tuesday at two adjacent parks in Boca Raton, and boaters will be without a ramp in the city until the work is complete.
The boat ramps at Silver Palm Park will close as crews work to install and enhance pedestrian walkways, restrooms, green spaces, pavilion, promenade, additional parking, a third boat ramp and a connection between that park and the new Wildflower Park.
The city is putting a pause on new boat ramp permits, and the parks will also be closed to car and pedestrian traffic during that time, the city said. Work is expected to take about six months.
Wildflower Park, which will sit on 2.3 acres at the northeast corner of Palmetto Park Road and Northeast Fifth Avenue, used to be home to the Wildflower nightclub in the 1980s.
After the club was knocked down, the area was a parking lot for years. Plans to build a restaurant on the site were scrubbed in a November 2016 referendum in favor of building a park on the land.
When it is complete, the event lawn and pavilion could host concerts and theatrical performances, and the dock will have space for boat parking.
A rendering shows a digital depiction of development plans for Wildflower Park, which would sit on the 2.3-acre site at 551 East Palmetto Park Road in Boca Raton. (City of Boca Raton / Courtesy)
While local boaters wait, they can launch at the following nearby locations:
- 2010 N Federal Highway, Boynton Beach.
- This park charges $1.50 for trailer parking and is free for standard vehicle parking.
- The park can be accessed by residents and non-residents.
- 1001 S. Federal Highway, Delray Beach.
- This park is free of charge and can be accessed by residents and non-residents.
- Knowles Park provides trailer parking spaces and standard vehicle parking spaces.
- 1211 S. Federal Highway, Delray Beach.
- This park is free of charge and can be accessed by residents and non-residents.
- Mangrove Park provides trailer parking spaces and standard vehicle parking spaces.
- 217 N.E. 5 Ave, Deerfield Beach.
- This park charges $1 per hour for use of the park and can be accessed by residents and non-residents.
- Pioneer Park has trailer parking spaces and standard vehicle parking spaces.
