Oakland Park: On the Rise 

The new City of Oakland Park newsletter is out! Find out about many of the exciting improvements underway in our community. Learn about efforts to bring more operations to the west side of the City; get an update on the bond projects; see what steps are being taken to enhance public safety, increase accessibility, and address flooding; get a list of amenities coming to City Park; see a map of ongoing and upcoming improvement projects and more. Visit the City website now to read the newsletter online; residents can look for a copy coming soon in the mail. 

Learn About the New Community Center Coming to North Andrews Gardens

We are excited to start construction soon on the new North Andrews Gardens Community Center. Planned improvements for the project will also include a new playground and basketball court. Join us on Zoom on Wednesday, June 29, at 6:30 p.m. for a virtual preconstruction meeting to learn more about this upcoming project. Click here to pre-register now on Zoom. Get meeting details on the City website.

Summer Nights Concert Series Continues July 15

Enjoy live music from the Bobby Nathan Band, food trucks, and more at the Oakland Park Summer Nights Rock & Soul Concert on Friday, July 15, 2022, from 6 to 10 p.m. The free, family-friendly concert will take place at Jaco Pastorius Park, located at 4000 North Dixie Highway. Free event parking will be available in the lots on the west side of Dixie Highway at Park Lane/NE 38 Street and on Main Street/NE 12 Avenue. Visit our website or call 954-630-4500 for details.

Commission Updates

Oakland Park is moving full steam ahead with plans to bring a new Community Center to North Andrews Gardens! The City Commission on Wednesday approved an agreement with State Contracting and Engineering Corp. for construction services on the new Community Center project, which will also include new playground equipment, a basketball court, landscaping, parking, and lighting. The new Community Center is part of the Building Our Second Century citywide bond initiative to bring an array of modern facilities to Oakland Park. The City will host a virtual pre-construction meeting on June 29 at 6:30 p.m. Announcements regarding the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Community Center are expected soon. 

During the June 15th meeting, the Commission also approved a recommendation to honor former Broward County Administrator, Bertha Henry, with a Key to the City. The award will be bestowed upon Mrs. Henry in recognition of her fine partnership with Oakland Park and her instrumental role in several projects throughout the City, including Main Street streetscaping and fountains, the Grand Plaza at Jaco Pastorius Park, and other improvements that served as a catalyst for the revitalization of the downtown. She furthered efforts to enhance public safety and community aesthetics with roadway projects on Andrews Avenue, NW 21^st Avenue, and Prospect Road. She worked with the City to coordinate incentives to facilitate the Sky Building project, which will include the new City Hall. Mrs. Henry’s unwavering support and devotion to Oakland Park will leave a lasting legacy on the community. 

In other action during the June 15th meeting, the City Commission heard presentations regarding the results of a solid waste study and the status of the Capital Improvement Program. The Commission also updated sections of the Code of Ordinances including areas that pertain to outdoor signage, home-based businesses, and construction fencing. The code updates are part of a broader effort to improve the aesthetics of the city and enhance the quality of life for the community. Click here to view the meeting video and agenda. 

New Sidewalks Get Underway

The Florida Department of Transportation has started work on a sidewalk improvement project in Oakland Park. The $2 million project will include new sidewalks in the areas of Central Oakland Park and Harlem McBride. The sidewalk project is part of a Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization initiative to enhance bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation access throughout the Broward region. Click here for more information. 

Get a Free State Park Pass at the Library

Do you want to get outdoors this summer? Thanks to a partnership between the Florida Division of Library and Information Services and the Florida State Park system, you can check out Florida State Park passes with your library card! Passes can be checked out to patrons with an Oakland Park Library card in good standing for a week at a time. This program is available now through September 12, 2022. Click here for more information.

Free Meals for Kids and Teens  

Summer BreakSpot offers free balanced breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners all summer to kids and teens 18 and under. Site locations and operating times are updated daily at SummerBreakSpot.com or by texting the word “Food” or “Comida” to 304-304. No application is necessary, just show up at one of the thousands of meal sites across Florida.

Library Offers Oceans of Possibilities for Summer Fun

The Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library is offering many ways to enjoy a fun and enriching summer. From a Lego League and Chess Club to storytime and arts and crafts, there are many free, family-friendly programs that will take place this summer at the library, located at 1298 NE 37th Street. For more information visit the City website or call 954-630-4372. 

Youth Summer Reading Program - Click here for details

Lego League, Mondays at 1 p.m., ages 4 and up

Chess Club, Tuesdays 12:30-2 p.m., ages 8-17

Meet Dizzy the Dog, July 20, 10 a.m., ages 2-10 

Sea Crafts, dates and times vary, ages 5-17

Movies and Popcorn, Fridays at 1 p.m.

Bulk Collection Schedule

Oakland Park offers residents free monthly bulk collection service. Next week, starting Monday, June 27th, is the fourth week of the month. The area that will be serviced for bulk trash collection is the area west of NE 5 Avenue between NE 38 Street and Prospect Road and all areas in Oakland Park west of I-95 (see the area shaded in blue on the enclosed map). Bulk Trash should be placed out between Sunday and 7 a.m. on Monday. Please place only accepted items curbside for bulk collection. Please do not include items such as construction material or demolition debris. Bulk trash collection information, including pick-up schedules and accepted items, can be found on the City website.

County to Spray for Mosquitos in Oakland Park

Broward County is extending the areas that will be sprayed to help prevent the hatching of mosquitoes. New areas targeted include parts of Oakland Park. Spraying will take place between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. nightly. Mosquito Control anticipates the completion of these additional areas before the end of the week, weather permitting. Residents and business owners are encouraged to reduce potential mosquito breeding habitats by regularly surveying their property to remove any standing water. Residents experiencing mosquito problems can request service by calling 311 or by completing the online Mosquito Service Request Form.

Be Prepared for Hurricane Season 

Hurricane Season is here! Busy hurricane seasons in recent years have served as important reminders to be prepared and stay alert. If you have not already done so, now is a good time to put together an emergency plan and prepare a hurricane supply kit so you are ready in the event of a storm in our area. Click here for a Hurricane Preparedness Guide with important safety tips, a planning checklist, shelter information, and more.

Get Updates on School Construction Projects

Broward County Public Schools has many bond improvement projects underway at the schools in Oakland Park, including Lloyd Estates Elementary, Oakland Park Elementary, North Andrews Gardens Elementary, James S. Rickards Middle School, and Northeast High School. Information on each of the planned improvements is available on the SMART Futures website at bcpssmartfutures.com/oaklandpark/. Access the site for construction photos and videos, project news, and reports that allow you to stay updated with the SMART Programs in our community.

Lock It or Lose It

The Broward Sheriff's Office reminds residents to Lock It or Lose It to keep valuables safe. Cash, purses, wallets, jewelry, and cell phones make great targets for car burglars. Remember to secure valuables prior to reaching your destination, or take them with you upon arrival. Lock your car and park in a highly visible area. Do not leave keys inside your vehicle, and report suspicious activity. For more tips visit www.sheriff.org.