The City of Oakland Park proudly celebrated the completion of the Safe Routes to School sidewalk project in the Prospect Gardens neighborhood with a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on October 2nd, 2024. The project features the installation of approximately 14,750 feet of sidewalks, crosswalks, ADA-compliant ramps, and curbs, providing a safer route for students walking to Lloyd Estates Elementary School.
The event brought together Vice Mayor Tim Lonergan and Commissioners Aisha Gordon and Letitia Newbold from the City of Oakland Park, key partners from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), and several distinguished guests. Among those in attendance were Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus McCormick, Lloyd Estates Elementary School Principal Shawn Allen, Countywide School Board Member Debra Hixon, representatives from Broward County Public Schools, as well as representatives from Congressman Jared Moskowitz's office and County Commissioner Robert McKinzie's office. This collaboration underscores the city’s ongoing commitment to enhancing safety, accessibility, and the overall quality of life for residents.
Vice Mayor Lonergan, who represents Oakland Park on the Broward MPO, expressed enthusiasm for the project’s impact on the community. "This sidewalk project is about more than just infrastructure; it’s an investment in our children and the future of our city," the Vice Mayor stated. "We have transformed our neighborhood into a safer, more accessible, and better-connected community for students and families."
This is Oakland Park's third elementary school sidewalk project. Together with new sidewalks surrounding Floranada Elementary and Oakland Park Elementary, the city is ensuring its youngest residents have a safe and reliable way to get to and from school.
Greg Stuart, Executive Director of the Broward MPO, also attended the ceremony and emphasized the value of partnerships in community development. "We are proud to support Oakland Park and the Florida Department of Transportation, whose shared efforts with the MPO have created a safer environment for students to get to and from school independently, which truly enhances the overall quality of life here in beautiful Oakland Park," Stuart said.
Funded by over $1.6 million in grants from the FDOT Safe Routes to School Program and the Broward MPO, the project improves pedestrian and cyclist safety and strengthens the sense of connection within the community.
As Oakland Park approaches its centennial in 2029, projects like this one reflect the city’s commitment to creating a vibrant, accessible, and safe environment for all residents.
For more information about the Safe Routes to School project or future community initiatives, please visit Safe Routes to School | Safe Routes Partnership.