The Parade of Orchids got a boost Friday when eight volunteers gathered at Stunson Nature Trail, located at 1701 NW 38 Street. Oakland Park volunteers and a representative from the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society helped City staff plant more than 70 new orchids on site. The Stunson Nature Trail and native wetlands restoration preserve, named in honor of Oakland Park’s late City Manager, John Stunson, opened in 2018. The City worked together with Royal Palm neighborhood and the Broward County School Board to preserve the five-acre parcel of natural wetlands habitat for a nature trail. The Parade of Orchids was created at the Stunson Nature Trail in July 2020 to show appreciation for those who served the community during the pandemic. Visit the City website to learn more. Click here to donate to the Parade of Orchids.

Plans for the upcoming school year and the future of the Rickards Middle School building will be discussed during the School Board Meeting, at 3 p.m., Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Parents, students, and other stakeholders are encouraged to watch and participate in the meeting. Share your comments in person at the School Board Meeting, which will be held in the K.C. Wright Administration Building Board Room at 600 SE Third Avenue, Fort Lauderdale FL, 33301. To make arrangements to speak at the meeting, please contact the Office of Official School Board Records in advance at 754-321-2390. Written comments can be submitted via email to PublicComment@browardschools.com. Written comments must be submitted by 8 a.m. on July 20 and should include your name and home address. For more information, visit the BCPS website at www.browardschools.com. 

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently completed $3.9 million improvement project on Prospect Road. The project included constructing a five-foot-wide bicycle lane in both directions and making drainage improvements between Commercial Boulevard and Powerline Road. We appreciate your patience during construction and hope you enjoy these new enhancements to our community. This FDOT project is part of a $300 million investment from the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to create safer, healthier communities in Broward County by enhancing bicycle, pedestrian, and public transportation access. For more information about the Broward MPO, please visit www.BrowardMPO.org.

The next City Commission Meeting will take place Wednesday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. The Commission Meeting Agenda is available on the City website.

To provide public comments virtually, please call the City Clerk's office at 954-630-4300 for webinar log-in information. Members of the public will have up to four minutes to provide comments. Written public comments up to 250 words in length can be submitted for the record up to 12 p.m. (noon) the day of the meeting. Email comments to publiccomments@oaklandparkfl.gov.

The City Commission meeting is available via live web-stream on the City website, on Comcast Channel 78, AT&T Channel 99; and will be available on the City website the following day.

COVID-19 vaccines are available throughout our community for people age 12 and older. Most vaccinations are available for free and do not require an appointment. Get more information, including vaccine locations here. The Florida Department of Health in Broward has​ scheduled a series of “pop-up” vaccination sites on various days and locations throughout the community. View current Pop-Up site loc​ations​.

Learn about plans for the Sky Building and the new City Hall in the summer/fall newsletter, available now on the City website. Find out what City services where ranked the highest in the citywide resident survey and get an update on the major capital improvement projects coming to Oakland Park, including City Park, North Andrews Gardens Community Center, and fire stations 9 and 20. See what City services are available online and find out how Oakland Park is embracing diversity. Visit the City website now to read Oakland Park On the Rise.

Board members function in an advisory capacity to the Oakland Park City Commission and provide recommendations on development, practices and regulation for the betterment of the City. If interested, please apply at www.oaklandparkfl.gov/152/Advisory-Boards or call 954-630-4300 for more information. Board members function in an advisory capacity to the Oakland Park City Commission and provide recommendations on development, practices and regulation for the betterment of the City. If interested, please apply on the City website or call 954-630-4300 for more information.

MAP Broward is Broward County’s transportation surtax, a 30-year program that was approved by voters in 2018. MAP Broward's new project dashboard allows you to learn about the 16 different project types and see the status of more than 700 surtax projects, including 19 in Oakland Park. The dashboard allows users to filter projects by address, city, county commission district, or type. Projects planned for Oakland Park include bike lanes, road resurfacing, and drainage improvements.​ Watch the video to learn how to use the MAP dashboard. Click here for more information on the Broward County Mobility Advancement Program.

10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Parkland Equestrian Center

8350 Ranch Road, Parkland

Help prevent prescription drug abuse and identity theft, drop off unwanted medication and sensitive documents for safe disposal at the Equestrian Center in Parkland. A Shred-A-Thon event will take place in Pompano Beach Aug. 28, see additional upcoming Shred-A-Thon events here.

As a reminder to our Oakland Park community, NW 44 Street is closed between NW 21 Avenue and the entrance to Bridgewater Place Apartments. Due to inclement weather, the closure will be extended until Aug. 13, 2021. Vehicles should seek alternative routes on NW 21 Avenue, NW 29 Avenue, NW 39 Street, Prospect Road, and Commercial Boulevard. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience. For more information please call 954-630-4430 or visit the City website.

Short Term Rental Hotline

The City encourages short-term rental properties to be safe and well-maintained in the interest of the health, safety and welfare of the Oakland Park community. The City operates a Short-Term Rental Hotline that is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you have questions or concerns regarding short-term rentals, please call the hotline at 954-504-6454. Visit the City website to view the Short-Term Rental Ordinance and learn more. 

We're still collecting stories to share during Oakland Park's upcoming Centennial celebration. If you have an untold story, photos, or memorabilia to share during our Centennial, please send them via email to shareyourhistory@oaklandparkfl.gov. Visit the City website to learn about the history of Oakland Park.

With four months left of hurricane season, it's a good idea to make sure you and your family are prepared. Visit the National Weather Service website for safety and preparation tips. Double-check your hurricane supply kit and make sure you have enough non-perishable food, water and medicine to last each person in your family a minimum of three days. You can also register for CodeRED to receive emergency alerts from the City of Oakland Park on your cell phone. Residents who may need assistance following a storm can register for the Broward County Vulnerable Population Registry by calling 954-831-4000. Hurricane tips and more information are available on the City of Oakland Park website at www.oaklandparkfl.gov.

Broward County Library’s African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC) is seeking artists for its first-ever Art and Activism: A Social Justice Art Residency! Five artists will receive a $10,000 stipend. The Art and Activism Residency will use the arts to address and learn from historical issues within our world while simultaneously helping communities find hope and inspiration. Additionally, it will provide a platform to address potentially polarizing topics in a venue like AARLCC, whose mission promotes learning, inclusivity, and diversity. Learn more here.

Broward County Animal Care and Libraries have partnered this summer to help support homeless pets. Now through August 21, donations of pet supplies will be accepted at six Broward County libraries. Residents also have the option of contributing funds to Animal Care online. Donations of unopened dry and canned dog or cat food and kitten formula, along with non-clumping cat litter, are needed. Additional pet supplies such as collars and leashes, toys and grooming supplies are also welcome. Click here for more information.

Email: mycity@oaklandparkfl.gov