■ MESSAGE FROM THE VICE MAYOR
PARKLAND UPDATE
I
By Vice Mayor Ken Cutler
want to thank Mayor going to be a planned city and the first comWalker for once again mission would be the owner and developer allowing me to write who would then turn it over to the citizens this month’s column. So, once there were enough of them to have an this month, July 2022, election. Originally, the city was going to be while the country celebrates its independence, called “BBB Ranches,” but legislators argued Parkland also commemorates the 59th year there were already too many “ranches” that of its founding. There were fewer than 50 had city names in the state, so Allsworth came people living in the area in the early 1960s, up with the name Parkland. Maybe it was since practically all the land was devoted to because of all those trees, as there certainly agriculture, a situation that caused delay in weren’t any parks here yet. In fact, the first civic development. Other lands in nearby park in the city, Quigley Park, would not be communities were also predominantly private dedicated until November 1989. Its original ranches or farmsteads that needed to be name was “Five Acre Park” because of its size, organized as developers began exploring but was renamed in honor of Mayor John H. the possibility of new growth. In early 1963, Quigley, Parkland’s fourth mayor, who died Florida State Representative Emerson Allsworth while in office in February 1972. sponsored the Bill in the Florida House of On July 10, 1963, the date on which the Representatives to approve Parkland’s City city celebrates its anniversary, the Bill passed Charter at the request of landowner and city the Legislature and Governor Farris Bryant founder Bruce Barnett Blount. signed the Charter Bill agreeing to the creation Allsworth, who will be 96 years old this of the new city on August 13, 1963. Thus, year, recalls that: Parkland came into legal being. Other areas “It was a local Bill that normally passes to the south were rapidly being settled at that 99% of the time because the rest of the time as well. The cities of Coral Springs and legislators typically give deference to Tamarac were chartered in the same year local legislators, but in this instance, and four years later, Coconut Creek was there was a split in the local delegation incorporated. Thereafter, much work was because one of the Broward delegates done by a stalwart and dedicated group of opposed the creation of Parkland. His pioneers to lay the foundation of what we argument was that it was undeveloped know today. land at the time and ‘How can you Next year on March 11, 2023, the City of create a city when there’s no one living Parkland will be celebrating its 60th anniversary. there? It’s just a city of trees.” (The March date was chosen because it’s very The answer of course was that this was hot in July and people leave for vacation).
64 / 2022 Readers’ Choice / OurCityMedia.com
The Commission has voted to bring back the Parkland Days Parade and will have a full day of festivities. It will be Parkland Days once again! In the next few months, the city will be looking for groups that are willing to participate in the parade so stay tuned and make sure that you are receive the city’s e-mail blast Parkland on Tap to get updates. Register at cityofparkland.org/NotifyMe to get all the latest news. If, like me, you are interested in Parkland history, please consider joining the Parkland Historical Society or if you want to help volunteer to assist in making this an extra special Parkland Days celebration, get student community service hours, or just be involved, contact the city to find out more at 954-753-5040. To celebrate the 4th of July, the ever-popular Eats ‘n’ Beats will be on Saturday July 2nd and kicks off with a concert by nationally touring country music artist and actor Chas Collins. Also in July, an event near and dear to my heart, the second round of the Parkland Fishing Derby will be on Saturday, July 9th from 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. at Pine Trails Park. Friday, July 22nd will be Movies in the Park from 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. also at Pine Trails Park. Since July is Parks and Recreation Month, you may want to be sure to check the city calendar for all of the fun we will have this Summer with our full slate of activities for all members of the family. Have a great time this month.
V ice Mayor Ken Cutler
