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Update No. 15 | October 15, 2025 |
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Here's the latest: Every week, Huizenga Park grows closer to reopening — and the transformation is nothing short of exciting. From the Pavilion’s striking canopy taking shape to new pathways weaving through lush landscaping, the park is blooming into a dynamic public space ready to welcome everyone back to the heart of DowntownFTL.
What's happening:
- Tell us what programming you are most excited for.
- Huizenga Park is blooming with new life.
- The Park Pavilion continues to take shape.
Stay in the Loop: There are several ways for you to follow along on our journey.
Check out some other exciting Huizenga Park news below – a 3.5-minute read.
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As we approach Huizenga Park's re-opening, I want to take a moment to thank our Inaugural Programming Sponsors who have donated funds to support free and community-enriching activities at Huizenga Park.
There are still opportunities to become a 2026 Programming Sponsor and showcase your organization’s commitment to community engagement while gaining visibility in one of Downtown’s most exciting destinations. Your partnership helps us continue building a calendar of activities that make Huizenga Park a place for everyone to enjoy.
We’ll also soon be soliciting proposals for cleaning and security services at Huizenga Park. If you’re a vendor interested in helping keep our park beautiful, safe, and guest-ready, please contact me directly at juan@ddaftl.org.
Thank you for being part of the Huizenga Park story — the best is yet to come
- Juan Rodriguez, Urban Park Manager
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| What type of programming are you most excited for when the park reopens? | | | | Transformation in the Making | Huizenga Park as of October 14, 2025 | Huizenga Park is blooming and evolving in exciting ways. From the shimmering new brick pathways and lush landscaping to the rising Park Pavilion, every corner of the park is coming to life with thoughtful design, vibrant greenery, and inviting spaces for the community to enjoy. | |
The pathways are flowing in Huizenga Park.
- The park’s pathways are coming to life, brick by brick, guiding visitors through every corner of Huizenga Park.
- The construction team has been carefully setting over 65,000 pavers throughout the park, creating a network of inviting walkways.
- Each brick is made of clay, like those on the Riverwalk, but features a bold gray tone with a hint of metallic sparkle. When it rains, the pathways glisten and shimmer like flowing water — a beautiful and unexpected surprise for anyone strolling through the park.
| Walkway between The Dog Spot, a gift from Cassidy and Dan Towriss, and the Civic Lawn completed. | Walkway between the Civic Lawn, The Nook, a gift from Beth and Philip Rielly Family, and future Sweetwaters Las Olas. | |
Lush landscaping takes root across the park.
- Nearly all of the canopy, palm, and flowering trees have now been installed, creating shade, texture, and pops of color to the park.
- Crews are busy planting lush understory gardens, filling planting beds with layers of greenery that bring the design to life.
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Fun fact: our landscape architect recently spotted a blue bee in the park — a rare pollinator and a great sign that the plant palette is doing its job to support local ecology!
| Heading south to Riverwalk along the park’s pathways, shaded by canopy trees and framed by lush plantings. | A view of the New River Landing, a gift from AutoNation, Inc., with lush understory plantings surrounding. | | |
Park Pavilion continues to take shape in style.
- The elegant canopy structure is now taking shape, designed with soft, flowing lines that echo the park’s flowing rhythm.
- Inside the pavilion, crews are busy installing drywall as the interior spaces begin to take form.
- Did you know: to keep the park comfortable for everyone, the restroom facilities will include an attendant to ensure they remain clean, safe, and welcoming for all park guests.
| | A view of the Park Pavilion, a gift from the Stiles Family, from the Civic Lawn. | | Drywall in progress inside of the bathroom facility within the Park Pavilion. | | A view looking into the park from the corner of E Las Olas Boulevard & SE 1 Avenue. | |
Here's what's next: Construction activity will continue throughout the park this month. Crews will advance work on the Park Pavilion, including the canopy structure and interior finishes. Installation will resume at New River Landing, a gift from AutoNation, Inc., with the arrival of the ipe decking materials. Infrastructure work also remains a focus, with ongoing electrical installation across the site and FPL scheduled to bring permanent power to the park.
Traffic and Access Updates:
- One eastbound lane on Las Olas Boulevard will remain closed between Andrews Avenue and SE 1st Avenue to allow construction trucks safe access into the park — helping reduce traffic impacts on SE 1st Avenue.
- The sidewalk along E Las Olas Blvd in front of Huizenga Park has been closed temporarily to replace the sidewalk and curb, likely through the end of the month.
| | Project history and timeline | |
After years of planning and design, Huizenga Park is undergoing a complete renovation that kicked off in August 2024. Construction is expected to take just over a year to complete, reopening in early 2026.
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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