City of Boca Raton August 2020 City Connection. Pictures of sidewalk sticker saying "Shop smart stay 6 feet apart."
Downtown Boca businesses and restaurants welcome you back to shop and dine smart.
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Navigating COVID-19 Together 
10 Things you need to know...

(1) #Maskup Boca, help slow the spread of COVID-19. Facial coverings in public are mandatory in Palm Beach County. There are a few exceptions, which can be found in the Emergency Order .


(2) Certain businesses, like bars, hookah lounges, and tattoo parlors are still closed in Palm Beach County .   View the list of continued closures . 

(3) Restaurants and food establishments cannot serve food or alcohol between 11pm and 5am. Delivery, drive-through, pick-up and take out are permitted during those times.

(4) Palm Beach County’s COVID-19 Education Compliance Team is enforcing orders including facial coverings, capacity restrictions and hours of operation for businesses. Boca Raton’s Code Enforcement officials and Police Department are assisting in this effort, visiting businesses regularly. Report concerns to: 561-24COVID (561-242 6843) or covidcompliance@pbcgov.org .

(5) Financial Assistance is available for rent, mortgage and utility payments through the Palm Beach County Department of Housing and Economic Sustainability.

(6) Boca Raton’s Small Business Recovery Relief Grant Program is still accepting applications for one time grants of $5,000.

(7) Drive Through COVID-19 testing available at Florida Atlantic University.
Appointments are REQUIRED . Call 1-800-209-7919 Mon.- Fri. 9am to 5pm.

(8) Virtual public meetings continue , for now. Join us through Go-to Meeting, www.myboca.us or on Boca TV. Upcoming Meetings include:

(9) School Reopening Plans are now available.

Reminder: Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday is August 7-9. See details here .

(10) Doing business with the City. City Hall remains closed to the public, but most business transactions can be completed online . The Citizens Information Center is open and receiving calls 561-982-4900. M-F, 8am-5pm.
Spanish River Library Open for Early Voting
August 18, 2020 is the upcoming primary election and the Spanish River Library is one of 18 polling places open daily to all Palm Beach County residents for early voting. While the library remains closed to patrons due to COVID-19, it will be open August 3 through August 16, from 10am-7pm daily , with extra safety precautions in place. For more information, visit the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections . The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot is 5pm on August 8, 2020.
Will You Be Prepared for Josephine?
Hurricane Isaias may have been the first threat to south Florida this season but will likely not be the last. Now is the perfect time to update your hurricane plan, finish preparations and gather needed supplies. Trim trees and dispose of unwanted bulk materials before the next storm approaches.

If you are in an evacuation zone, make plans to stay with family or friends if possible, instead of heading to a shelter. If you do need to go to a shelter, be sure to bring items needed to protect against COVID-19. Visit Palm Beach County’s website for details. Sign up for alerts, including severe weather warnings, evacuation notices and curfews through Alert PBC . View the City's Hurricane Newsletter for important information and reminders.
Boca Raton Inlet Bridge Closing for Two Months
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will be painting the steel and concrete portions of the SR A1A/Haven Ashe Bridge over the Boca Raton Inlet beginning in August. The bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic for 60 days and will remain in the open position for marine traffic. Message boards and detour signs will notify the public before the closure. To learn more about this project (ID: 433896-1-52-01) visit d4fdot.com.
Andrea Levine O'Rourke Named Deputy Mayor
Boca Raton City Council Member Jeremy Rodgers, a Navy Reservist, has been called to active duty for an overseas deployment. Council member Rodgers will retain his seat on the City Council, but has resigned his position as Deputy Mayor. On Tuesday, July 28, City Council members appointed Andrea Levine O'Rourke the new Deputy Mayor and Monica Mayotte as the CRA Chair. Andy Thomson will serve as the CRA Vice-Chair. Congratulations to all on the new appointments and special thanks to Council member Rodgers for his continued service.
NEW IN BOCA! ParkMobile App Provides Contactless Payment for Parking
Residents and visitors are now able to pay for parking in the City through the ParkMobile app. The app provides a quick and easy way for users to make contactless payments without touching high-touch surface areas. The app is currently available throughout the following locations:

  • 2nd Street/Federal Highway (near Sanborn Square)
  • Downtown (east of Federal Highway between Palmetto Park Road and Mizner Boulevard)
  • Mizner Park
  • Palmetto Pavilion
  • Red Reef West
  • Spanish River Boulevard

For more information about ParkMobile including rates, visit the ParkMobile webpage .
Residents May Qualify for Flood Insurance Discount
Boca Raton residents living in high hazard flood zones may be eligible for a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums thanks to an improvement in the City’s Community Rating System (CRS) Classification. Floodplain management activities implemented by the City improved the CRS score, which resulted in the discount. For more information or to find out whether you are in a flood zone, visit the City’s Floodplain Management webpage .
Responsible Recreation
Visit Recreation Updates for the latest updates on the hours of operation and permitted activities for various parks and recreational facilities (view the chart at the bottom of the page for details).
Take a Socially Distanced "StoryWalk" at the Pondhawk Natural Area
Visit the Spanish River Library’s new StoryWalk , a fun, educational activity that places a children’s storybook along the walking path in the Pondhawk Natural Area just west of the library. It's easily accessible and perfect for all ages. StoryWalk helps build children’s interest in reading while encouraging healthy, outdoor activities for all.
Book Your Tennis Court Time and Private Lessons Online Today
Boca Raton Tennis Centers have partnered with PlayByCourt to offer online court reservations for a user-friendly paperless experience. You can now book court time, request a private lesson with a Tennis Pro and more. Reservations are available for The Racquet Center, Boca Raton Tennis Center and the Patch Reef Tennis Center.

Visit myboca.us/Tennis to learn how to create a profile and start booking court time.
Check Out Gumbo Limbo's NEW Sea Turtle Rescue Van
The much awaited Sea Turtle Rescue Van has been delivered to the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Purchased by Friends of Gumbo Limbo with a grant from the Sea Turtle Conservancy and donated to the City, the van will be used to rescue and transport sea turtles.

You can read more about conservation and rehabilitation efforts in Gumbo Limbo's Hammock Happenings newsletter or find out how you can help save sea turtles.
Sign Up for One of Sugar Sand Park's Virtual Programs
Keep Kids Connected with Virtual Programs
Sugar Sand Park Community Center has three fun virtual programs beginning this month!


End summer on a high note with one of these fun creative programs! Visit the Sugar Sand Park website for pricing and more information.
Go Beyond the Bag
Want to make a difference? Then, go " Beyond The Bag" with the Office of Sustainability and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center to discuss next steps in plastic waste reduction, learn how to safely use reusable items during COVID-19 and...some surprising sources of plastic pollution you may not have known before.

This August
Take Your Taste Buds on an Adventure with the Food Lovers Trail Walking Tour
Downtown Boca's food scene is not to be missed. The district is home to more than 100 restaurants and eateries, serving up creative selections of cuisines and desserts from around the world -- that can be enjoyed safely, whether dining in, taking out or having it delivered. View and download the Food Lover's Trail Walking Tour and check back for updated versions that highlight more of Downtown Boca's great foodie destinations.
Mizner Park is Bringing the Heat with this Summer Playlist on Spotify
This summer is different. Your music doesn't have to be. Mizner Park Amphitheater has put together the perfect summer playlist on Spotify. Your summer vibes will be set with music from Mac Miller, Childish Gambino, John Legend, Coldplay, Shawn Mendes, Taylor Swift and more! Whether you're driving with the windows down, lounging by the pool or enjoying a day at the beach, this playlist has something for everyone.

Make sure to follow the Summer Playlist - Mizner Park Amphitheater on Spotify.
Journey Through the Mizner Park Amphitheater Labyrinth
Looking for something fun to break up the day? Take a meditative walk through the painted lyrics labyrinth at the Mizner Park Clock Tower for a mindful exercise that will leave you humming some of your favorite tunes. 
Be sure to snap a photo and tag Mizner Park Amphitheater . (Social distancing, masks, and local rules apply)
 
The Labyrinth is located on the north side of the clock tower, then up the steps to the landing.
Complete Your Census and Make it Count for Boca Raton
Did you know that by responding NOW, you help determine congressional representation AND  Boca Raton's share of federal funding for the NEXT 10 YEARS ?

Your response helps make Boca Raton a better, safer home for your family and neighbors with funding for critical services and infrastructure like our schools, hospitals, firefighters, roads, beaches, veterans, families and more.
 
A few minutes can impact the next decade. If you haven't already, respond and make it count! Learn more and view the response rate map for the City and your neighborhood on our website .
City of Boca Raton Social Media
201 West Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, FL 33432
(561) 393-7700