North Park Groundbreaking Set

Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District Commissioners invite the Boca Raton community to join them on Sept. 3 at 9:30 a.m. for a groundbreaking ceremony signifying the beginning of development on North Park's east side.

The event will occur at the corner of NW 2nd Ave. and Jeffrey St., in the southeast parking lot near Boca Paddle.

“We are excited to take a big step toward providing the Boca Raton community with another example of the kind of high-level recreational facility they have come to expect from the District,” Chair Bob Rollins said.

District Commissioners, representatives from Butters Construction & Development, and other local leaders are expected to be present for the event.

A couple of months ago District Commissioners selected Butters Construction & Development to develop the 70 acres on the east side of North Park.

That part of the project will include more than five miles of walking and riding trails, as well as a dog park and a playground. Some trails will include exercise equipment. When complete, more than 1,000 native trees will be added to the area east of NW 2nd Ave.

Crews have already started to remove invasive trees and plants from the area, as required by code.

North Park is being created on the former Ocean Breeze golf course within the Boca Teeca section of Boca Raton.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will help ensure that all soil contaminated by chemicals when the property was a golf course is mitigated. The entire project will comply with Sustainable SITES Initiative standards for environmental friendliness.

As this phase begins, another is nearing completion. Expected to open in late fall, Boca Paddle brings indoor pickleball and padel courts, an indoor restaurant and multiple viewing areas to North Park. There will also be outdoor covered pickleball courts.

Boca Paddle will be the second North Park feature to open. Last year the District opened a Traffic Garden designed to be a fun way to teach young bicyclists and scooter riders safety.