Local Guides World
Ariel W.
31 reviews on 1 places
Limestone Creek is the site of the oldest African-American community in Jupiter. When the laws of segregation denied their children entry into public school this community formed their own school on the site of what is now Limestone Creek Park. In 1905 they opened the first "Jupiter Colored School" in the African Methodist Episcopal Church which ran until the 1928 Hurricane destroyed the church. Community member L.M. Davis donated one acre of his homestead for a new school. The community pooled their money and received a matching grant from the president of Sears, Roebuck, and Co.. They were able to build a bus, build a two room school house with kitchen, and hire two teachers to teach grades 1 through 8. The school ran without water or electricity. The class of 1941 raised enough money for a sidewalk which they autographed and you can still see that piece of concrete in the park. In 1956 the name of the school was changed to L.M. Davis in honor of the man who donated the land. Mr. Davis drove high school students had to travel 20 miles south to Riveria Beach until schools were desegregated in 1967.
Today a park is on the site of where the school used to exist. I love that this historic place is still a place for children. A basket ball half court was added to the park along with a playground and picnic pavilion. In April of 2016 a marker detailing the history of the site was added to the park. There is another marker in Jupiter in a historic African-American community in Cinquez park.
Today a park is on the site of where the school used to exist. I love that this historic place is still a place for children. A basket ball half court was added to the park along with a playground and picnic pavilion. In April of 2016 a marker detailing the history of the site was added to the park. There is another marker in Jupiter in a historic African-American community in Cinquez park.
This is what is called a pocket park located on the southwest corner of McNab Road and Pine Island Road. There isn't even a parking lot. The park is open sunrise to sunset. This park features a fountain and sculpture, paved walkway, landscaping, and benches with shade overhangs.
In the center of the park is a fountain with an art sculpture by Tamarac artist George Gadson. George Gadson graduated from Duke University and has been commissioned to create works of art for events and people. Some of his most well known works include two South Florida Super Bowl bronze commemorative sculptures named The Quarterback in 1995 and The Kicker in 1999. The sculptures were given to the National Football League Team owners. According to the Tamrac City website "Gadson seeks to bring back to life the forgotten history found in many communities, stimulate the imagination within an otherwise sterile environment, or simply capture civic memories through creative design works in variety of mediums. His artistic elements aid in rebuilding the tangible and intangible characters of a community, bring disparate groups together, create safer neighborhoods, establish a "Sense of Place", and promote a greater sense of belonging."
The piece that Gadson created for Tamarac in 2005 in the fountain is named Egretta Thula which is the genus name for one of my favorite Florida birds, the snowy egret, a small white heron. It is a six foot tall bronze sculpture of a snowy egret created to remind us that we need to protect our environment and the wildlife that lives in it. It is a sentiment I fully support. The piece was developed with input from businesses and residents of Tamarac, both adults and school children.
While driving around Tamarac I was surprised to see how many large art pieces there were on the side of the road. Those sculptures as well as this piece are a result of the Public Art Program which was approved by the City Commission in May 2004 in order to provide art to beautify the the city and commemorate its history. George Gadson is the current Chairman of the committee. The Public Art Program is funded by the Public Art Ordinance which requires "that 1% of the construction value of new projects or improvements be set aside for public art." If the city chooses not to use the funds they are returned to the developer. Now that I know a little more about the art works I am going to keep an eye out for them. I never knew you could do an art tour in Tamarac.
In the center of the park is a fountain with an art sculpture by Tamarac artist George Gadson. George Gadson graduated from Duke University and has been commissioned to create works of art for events and people. Some of his most well known works include two South Florida Super Bowl bronze commemorative sculptures named The Quarterback in 1995 and The Kicker in 1999. The sculptures were given to the National Football League Team owners. According to the Tamrac City website "Gadson seeks to bring back to life the forgotten history found in many communities, stimulate the imagination within an otherwise sterile environment, or simply capture civic memories through creative design works in variety of mediums. His artistic elements aid in rebuilding the tangible and intangible characters of a community, bring disparate groups together, create safer neighborhoods, establish a "Sense of Place", and promote a greater sense of belonging."
The piece that Gadson created for Tamarac in 2005 in the fountain is named Egretta Thula which is the genus name for one of my favorite Florida birds, the snowy egret, a small white heron. It is a six foot tall bronze sculpture of a snowy egret created to remind us that we need to protect our environment and the wildlife that lives in it. It is a sentiment I fully support. The piece was developed with input from businesses and residents of Tamarac, both adults and school children.
While driving around Tamarac I was surprised to see how many large art pieces there were on the side of the road. Those sculptures as well as this piece are a result of the Public Art Program which was approved by the City Commission in May 2004 in order to provide art to beautify the the city and commemorate its history. George Gadson is the current Chairman of the committee. The Public Art Program is funded by the Public Art Ordinance which requires "that 1% of the construction value of new projects or improvements be set aside for public art." If the city chooses not to use the funds they are returned to the developer. Now that I know a little more about the art works I am going to keep an eye out for them. I never knew you could do an art tour in Tamarac.
I came over for one of the free tours they offer on Saturday mornings. This is one of four sites that the Deerfield Beach Historical Society operates in the city. The historic home was the residence of James D. and Alice Butler. They married in 1906 in Texas and came to visit a relative in Florida in 1910 and ended up staying. James had made money by owning a small grocery store. Later when he moved to Deerfield Beach he farmed green beans.
The house was built in a Mediterranean Revival style according to plans Alice won in a Ladies Home Journal contest. The 2 story house cost $10,000 to build. The only change Alice made to the plans was that they she didn't want the step down into the dining room that was common in houses of that period because she didn't want the children she was planning for to trip and fall. Sadly due to a medical condition Alice was never able to bear children. Instead she and James looked after the children of the community and were very active in causes for them. James was a member of the first Broward School Board in 1915. There is still a scholarship in their name that is given to this day to every student who graduates from Deerfield Beach High School. Alice formed the first women's club and James served as a Broward County Commissioner. They were both active in their church. The furniture in the house is almost entirely original except for the dining room table that was broken and replaced when it was used to cover up a window during the 1928 Hurricane.
In 1974 the houses was designated a historic site. The Butler's left the house to the Deerfield beach Historical Society in 1977. They operate a small gift shop in the back of the house. Besides the house the property also has a Kester Cottage which was economical housing in the early 1920's. It looks like it was being used for storage. Another nice feature of the property is the 100 year old banyan tree.
My tour was conducted by a young volunteer. She did an amazing job and I learned a lot about people I had previously heard of but did not know that much about. If you are interested in visiting a city wide garage sale is being held at the Butler house on January 31st. More dates for tours can be found on the historical society's website.
The house was built in a Mediterranean Revival style according to plans Alice won in a Ladies Home Journal contest. The 2 story house cost $10,000 to build. The only change Alice made to the plans was that they she didn't want the step down into the dining room that was common in houses of that period because she didn't want the children she was planning for to trip and fall. Sadly due to a medical condition Alice was never able to bear children. Instead she and James looked after the children of the community and were very active in causes for them. James was a member of the first Broward School Board in 1915. There is still a scholarship in their name that is given to this day to every student who graduates from Deerfield Beach High School. Alice formed the first women's club and James served as a Broward County Commissioner. They were both active in their church. The furniture in the house is almost entirely original except for the dining room table that was broken and replaced when it was used to cover up a window during the 1928 Hurricane.
In 1974 the houses was designated a historic site. The Butler's left the house to the Deerfield beach Historical Society in 1977. They operate a small gift shop in the back of the house. Besides the house the property also has a Kester Cottage which was economical housing in the early 1920's. It looks like it was being used for storage. Another nice feature of the property is the 100 year old banyan tree.
My tour was conducted by a young volunteer. She did an amazing job and I learned a lot about people I had previously heard of but did not know that much about. If you are interested in visiting a city wide garage sale is being held at the Butler house on January 31st. More dates for tours can be found on the historical society's website.
Tephford Park is named after police officer Brian Tephford who was killed in Tamarac in 2006 while conducting a traffic stop. The park that bears his name was dedicated in 2008.
The park is the start of the Cypress Creek Greenway, 16.5 miles of paved paths that lead from the edge of the Everglades in Tamarac down to the ocean in Pompano. The part of the path in the park parallels Southgate Boulevard on one side and C-14 Canal on the other and continues for nearly 3 miles under power lines.
The actual linear park is 1.5 miles with three parking lots that are spaced along the perimeter. This makes it an ideal spot for runners and bikers and I saw a lot of people doing both on my visit. Other park amenities include a playground with children's rock climbing wall, fishing pier, picnic pavilions, benches, and restrooms although they were locked when I checked.
In addition to all of the things that make this park great for humans it is also popular with burrowing owls as well. All along the path were areas roped off for burrowing owls. Although I didn't see any actual owls I saw a lot of signs alerting to their presence.
This park is great for runners, bikers, and walkers, as well as families who are just looking for a place to take the kids to run around. At the park dedication Brian Tephford's widow expressed how grateful she was to have this park as a memorial to her children's father. Although they are probably grown now the park remains to honor a man who lost his life in the line of duty. It's a sacrifice that should never be forgotten.
The park is the start of the Cypress Creek Greenway, 16.5 miles of paved paths that lead from the edge of the Everglades in Tamarac down to the ocean in Pompano. The part of the path in the park parallels Southgate Boulevard on one side and C-14 Canal on the other and continues for nearly 3 miles under power lines.
The actual linear park is 1.5 miles with three parking lots that are spaced along the perimeter. This makes it an ideal spot for runners and bikers and I saw a lot of people doing both on my visit. Other park amenities include a playground with children's rock climbing wall, fishing pier, picnic pavilions, benches, and restrooms although they were locked when I checked.
In addition to all of the things that make this park great for humans it is also popular with burrowing owls as well. All along the path were areas roped off for burrowing owls. Although I didn't see any actual owls I saw a lot of signs alerting to their presence.
This park is great for runners, bikers, and walkers, as well as families who are just looking for a place to take the kids to run around. At the park dedication Brian Tephford's widow expressed how grateful she was to have this park as a memorial to her children's father. Although they are probably grown now the park remains to honor a man who lost his life in the line of duty. It's a sacrifice that should never be forgotten.
I used to visit this park quite often with my daughter and her friends in the summer. The park has an aquatic center that anyone can use for a nominal fee. Admission to use the pool is under $4. That's a lot of fun for little money. The pool in this park has a water slide and a splash area for younger children. There is plenty of lounge chairs and shade umbrellas. There is also a concession stand selling snacks. Hours for the pool can be found on the Coral Springs aquatic complex website. There are also tennis courts at this park. A boardwalk runs behind the tennis courts and takes to Orchid Park next door. This is a great place to take the kids to cool down during the summer.