Update No. 8 | March 19, 2025

Here's the latest: Huizenga Park's progress has made big strides over the last month, with above-ground improvements beginning to take shape along Riverwalk.

What's happening: 

1. Huizenga Park's seawall cap is in place and the Riverwalk Overlook structure is will be poured with concrete next week.
2. Riverwalk Reimagined is taking shape.
3. Huizenga Park's underground utilities continue.

Stay in the Loop: There are several ways for you to follow along on our journey. 

• Follow @huizengapark on Facebook, Instagram and X
• Share your favorite photo of a memory at Huizenga Park for a chance to be featured on our social media pages!
• Go to www.huizengapark.org
• Feel free to call or email if you have questions: 954-463-6574

Check out some other exciting Huizenga Park news below – a 3.5 min read.

Support the Huizenga Park Foundation

Exciting news! The Huizenga Park Foundation has been selected as the charity of the month for an upcoming Florida Design & Construction Professionals' After Hours event on April 2, 2025 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., just blocks away from the park at The Main Las Olas.

This is a fantastic opportunity to network with industry leaders while supporting the future of Huizenga Park. Your ticket includes two drinks and appetizers, plus you’ll have the chance to win incredible raffle and silent auction prizes—with all proceeds benefiting the Foundation!

Transformation in the Making

Huizenga Park as of March 17, 2025

Huizenga Park's transformation is making major progress with visible improvements beginning to take shape along the water's edge.

Huizenga Park's seawall caps are in place.

• Crews poured the concrete seawall caps, bringing the seawall in compliance with today's standards.
• The future Riverwalk Overlook structure is prepped for a concrete pour in the coming weeks.
• The new Overlook will bring people closer to the water with fantastic views up and down the New River.

Concrete crews during the concrete pour for the new seawall cap.

Seawall cap poured with formwork removed.

Riverwalk Reimagined is taking shape.

• The contractor will soon begin changing the grades throughout the site, bringing the elevation up by almost 4 feet in some areas!
• 17 coconut palms have been installed along the water's edge, one of many species of new trees and palms coming to Huizenga Park Reimagined.
• Crews will begin installing Riverwalk's electrical and irrigation systems.

Landscape areas and new Riverwalk alignment being laid out.

The future Riverwalk Terrace with new palm trees reaching 30 feet and higher!

Huizenga Park's underground utility work continues.

• With the 116-foot deep drainage well now in place, crews have gotten started on the remaining drainage work within the park.
• Did you know we're installing nearly 400 linear feet of exfiltration trench within Huizenga Park? This style of drainage reduces the amount of stormwater that goes into the city's system, removes pollutants from the water, and replenishes groundwater!
• Following drainage, the sewer and water lines will be installed, making way for above-ground improvements to begin.

Drainage well structure installation in progress, the biggest drainage structure in Huizenga Park Reimagined.

Construction crew installing drainage.

30-Day Outlook

Huizenga Park's future bathroom and fountain mechanical building.

Here's what's next: The construction team is close to completing the marine improvements and has been making big progress along the Riverwalk. Over the next month, Riverwalk's pathway will be largely complete and close to reopening to the public. The crews continue to work on underground utilities and infrastructure within the park, with vertical progress coming up next.

Other impacts: One eastbound lane along Las Olas Boulevard will remain closed from Andrews Avenue to SE 1 Avenue. This serves to provide truck access into the park and minimize the number of construction vehicles that need to enter SE 1 Avenue. The sidewalk on the west side of SE 1 Avenue will remain closed for pedestrian safety and the Riverwalk will continue to be detoured until Riverwalk reopens.

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Have you heard? Huizenga Park has a new neighbor to the west of the Andrews Avenue bridge along the Riverwalk! Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery is now open at 305 S Andrews Avenue.

This cozy, stylish bar, founded by Danilo Božović, is known for its intimate, secretive atmosphere, where guests enter through a bookcase. Enjoy a refined cocktail menu, featuring favorites like the "Florida Rum Experience" flight, and food selection including Cuban sandwiches, Serbian croquettes, and schnitzels. With its elegant decor and commitment to detail, Swizzle promises an unforgettable night out just steps from Huizenga Park.

Project history and timeline

After years of planning and design, Huizenga Park will undergo a complete renovation that kicked off in August 2024. Construction is expected to take just over a year to complete, reopening by the end of 2025. 

Big Vision: Huizenga Park will become Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s signature gathering place, exquisitely designed, activated, safe and comfortable. A space for everyone, to be used from morning through the evening, and every day of the year. A series of uniquely designed outdoor rooms will set Huizenga Park apart from traditional parks, offering opportunities for leisure, dining, physical activity, events, and meet-ups. A reimagined Huizenga Park will set the new standard for urban parks in Fort Lauderdale. 

About the Huizenga Park Foundation

The Huizenga Park Foundation is a nonprofit established in 2022 to promote, advance, foster and support the reimagining of Huizenga Park.

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