Page 8 - Boca Club News - March '22

Page 8, Boca Club News
Council Corner:

What Have You Been Missing? Check Here!

By Andrea Levine O’Rourke, Boca Boca Raton Golf & Racquet Club. Golfers are out Pops. They call it a slice of heaven. It’s hard to describe,
Raton City Council Member, Deputy and enjoying the greens at the new municipal Boca Raton so you must try it for yourself.
Mayor, and CRA Chairperson. Golf & Racquet Club. The upgraded driving range has Public Art and the Environment. During my service
I hope you are enjoying the been completed and is currently available for golfers to use on City Council, I have been an advocate for enhancing
beautiful season in Boca Raton. daily. Renovations and improvements continue on the main our cultural experiences, along with Placemaking and Art
With respect to health and safety, clubhouse. The city will be refurbishing the tennis courts in Public Places.
life is back. The city is buzzing… and adding courts for the most popular growing sport of I hope you have had the opportunity to see the immersive
from the beaches to parks to pickle ball. We welcome all to stop by for a visit. experience at the Boca Raton Museum of Art’s world
infrastructure improvements. Let’s Speaking of Pickle Ball... It seems our residents can’t premiere of Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru
catch up on a few things I am most excited to share. get enough of this ever-growing sport. The Greater Boca exhibit. It is truly outstanding.
Boca Raton Breaks Ground on Brightline Station. Raton Beach & Parks District, along with the city, opened Art in Public Places is exemplified in a beautiful mural
On Tuesday, January 25th, City Council, Brightline and 15 brand-new courts at Patch Reef Park. We recently hosted on the Mizner Park Amphitheater stage doors. Coming
the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) broke ground the APP Master’s Tour for amateurs and pros. I can tell you soon we will be mixing public art with a lesson about the
on the new Boca Raton train station located on a 1.8-acre firsthand – if you don’t play it is fun to watch. environment.
site across from Mizner Park and adjacent to the Downtown Artisan Market is Open. At the south end of Mizner After the city put out a call to artists, one local artist,
Boca Raton Library. It is expected to be completed in the Park every Friday, from 4-9 p.m., an Artisan Market is now Gregory Dirr, was selected to create a sculpture out of
fall of 2022. in full swing. The market features unique hand-crafted items recycled material, better known as trash! Through the beauty
The station is part of a line that will provide passenger with delightful stands of makers, artists, crafters, bakers and of art, we will educate on the importance of protecting our
service from Miami to Orlando. Once completed, added shakers. environment. Look for this new sculpture installation in late
to the service will be last mile transportation. Next in the While in Downtown Boca check out the restaurants, of March near the main beach pavilion at the end of Palmetto
planning phase will be a beautiful walkway from the station which there are a multitude. You will see the new Strike 10 Park Rd., called South Beach Park.
right into our downtown. (boutique) Bowling Alley at the north end of Mizner Park. Keep enjoying Boca Raton’s greatest natural assets of
People are calling it a “game changer”! Getting us out It includes a sports bar, billiards and more. While strolling, beautiful weather and beaches.
of cars and traffic. or on your way out, make sure to stop by Cielito’s Artisan
From the Desk of Palm Beach County

Mayor Robert S. Weinroth: Safety, Car Theft and More!

Robert Weinroth, a former member and the adjoining Green Cay Wetlands and Nature Center includes a lawyer who advocates for each child’s services and
of the Boca Raton City Council, was in Boynton Beach. The site is a unique collaboration of two support.
elected as a Palm Beach County facilities, resulting in a state-of-the-art wetland and nature The Board of County Commissioners supported the
Commissioner to replace Steven reserve open to the public. new GAL license plate, recognizing the “Heartfelt Child
Abrams, who retired due to term limits The wastewater treatment process starts with wastewater Advocacy” program and recruitment and training of its
requirements. being filtered and disinfected. Biosolids are removed and volunteers. For more information, visit https://galpbc.org/.
Bridge/Rail Safety. The tragic sold to the Solid Waste Authority to burn for energy! Over History Corner. The Jupiter and Lake Worth Railway ran
pedestrian death that occurred during two million gallons of treated wastewater are pumped into 7.5 miles from Jupiter Inlet to the north end of Lake Worth.
the opening of the Royal Park Bascule the surrounding wetlands to create valuable wildlife habitats On July 4th, 1889, the railroad began operation as Lake Worth
Bridge (owned and operated by FDOT) is extremely rare. for many Florida species. pioneers celebrated with a free ride to Jupiter.
However, the county’s Engineering Department is taking Green Cay Wetlands and Nature Center features various In 1893, an article in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine
extra preventive measures for the eight county-operated activities, including an elevated boardwalk for bird and dubbed the line the “Celestial Railroad” because it stopped
bascule bridges. This includes inspecting all vehicular and wildlife watching, interactive educational activities and at Jupiter, Mars, Venus and Juno. Mars and Venus were
pedestrian warning devices to ensure they meet all safety more. For more information, visit https://discover.pbcgov. freight stops for loading pineapples, coconuts, citrus and
policies and procedures. org/waterutilities/Pages/Reclaimed-Water.aspx. other locally grown produce.
Additionally, all county bridge tenders are regularly Nonprofit spotlight: The Florida Guardian ad Litem In 1893, Henry Flagler used the railroad to haul lumber
required to complete refresher training that involves safety (GAL). The Florida Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Program is a and supplies to build the Royal Poinciana Hotel on Palm
protocols, including visually checking spans for vehicles/ local nonprofit that collaborates with community advocates Beach. Bankruptcy and Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railroad
pedestrians and verbally announcing “Clear the span” in the and professional staff, providing a powerful voice for abused ended the Celestial Railroad’s operations in April 1895.
direction of the bridge. and neglected children in our community. If you require assistance, please contact our office at (561)
To make matters worse, there were three major accidents GAL volunteers work with a multi-disciplinary team that 355-2204 or email RWeinroth@pbcgov.org.
involving cars circumventing safety gates at a railroad
crossing. Trains can’t stop quickly, and most need a mile or
more to come to a full stop. These fast-moving Brightline
trains are traveling about 80 miles per hour, and are closer
and faster than perceived!
Moreover, it’s illegal to bypass the safety gates once
lowered. These trains only take seconds to clear the crossing
and urge everyone to pay attention. Look, listen, live!
Rise in Car Theft. Law enforcement agencies have
reported an uptick in car break-ins. Here are some tips on
avoiding a car break-in:
• Never leave valuables out on your seat, dashboard or floor.
• Always lock your door, even at home where most unlocked
vehicle burglaries happen.
• Secure purses, laptops, backpacks and shopping bags in
the trunk.
• Don’t leave your keys in the car.
If your vehicle is broken into, report it to law enforcement
even if nothing significant was taken.
A Must-See: Green Cay Wetlands. I recently toured
the county’s Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility

Sunday,

March 13