Martino: Ironwood Park Kudos
March 29, 2018
In case you have not heard the City of Palm Beach Gardens has a new neighborhood park. The location is the City-owned vacant lot on the corner of Holly Drive and Ironwood Road in Plat 1. It is fittingly named Ironwood Park. The City budgeted $150,000 as a commitment to the park’s success and has recently added updated safety features, irrigation, and enhanced landscaping. It has become an instant neighborhood sensation, as well as, a property value asset and enhancer.
Ironwood Park is well designed and tastefully landscaped. The park has a plethora of activity centers geared for toddlers and youngsters up to 12 years of age with plenty of parent park benches. Included, is a Zip Line apparatus with “special needs” provisions for the physically challenged and is a first for the City’s park facilities inventory. Parking has been provided with a pathway leading to the park entry keeping the little ones safely away from the road.
The City has made a concerted effort to improve the maintenance and appearance of properties in the corridor of Holly Drive between Ironwood Road and Lighthouse Drive on the east side. Much has been done and is appreciated but much more is expected and necessary.
The impetus for the new park and the neighborhood improvements can be attributed in a large measure, in my opinion, to two individuals, Steven Martino and Carl Woods. Steven is my son and Carl is a City Councilman. Also, the City Administration particularly, the Public Works and Recreation Departments, deserve high praise for a job well done.
Carl Woods was seated as a new Palm Beach Gardens Council member in 2016. Having been apprised of the problems of the older neighborhoods while campaigning door to door, Carl promised he would work to improve what he could. He has kept to his word and has made a difference. He pushed and prodded the City Council and Administration with persistence and patience to begin the alleviation of the problem areas along Holly Drive and to make Ironwood Park a reality. Carl should be applauded for the improvement in the appearance of the Holly Drive east corridor and for making Ironwood Park a reality.