Oakland Park opens new Greenleaf Park downtown with basketball tennis pickleball and family recreation spaces

Oakland Park, Florida – Oakland Park has added a new public gathering space to its downtown, with the opening of Greenleaf Park bringing a full range of recreational amenities to the community.

The city celebrated the park’s completion Thursday, August 27, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1300 Park Lane East. Elected officials, city leaders, project partners and community members attended the event, marking the latest step in Oakland Park’s continuing effort to expand parks and improve public spaces.

One of the notable aspects of Greenleaf Park is how it was funded. The project was created through a public-private partnership and involved more than $2 million in private investment, with no cost to taxpayers.

The partnership was formed with Horizon Oakland Park LLC, a joint venture between Falcone Group and Kaufman Lynn Construction. Greenleaf Park was built as part of the Horizon redevelopment and was completed ahead of the larger mixed-use project connected to the development.

For residents, the result is a new place to play, exercise, meet friends or simply spend time outdoors. The park includes a full basketball court, tennis and pickleball courts, a playground and a shaded pavilion. Parking, lighting and landscaping are also part of the new space.

Mayor Steven R. Arnst described the opening as another visible sign of the city’s recent progress.

“Greenleaf Park is another completed project we can point to,” said Mayor Steven R. Arnst. “This year, we’ve opened new facilities and delivered new public spaces in every corner of the city. It’s fantastic to see the progress on the ground and ready for residents to enjoy.”

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Arnst also highlighted the role of the private partners in bringing the park to life. The project, he said, demonstrates how cooperation between the city and private companies can result in new amenities for the community without placing the entire financial burden on local taxpayers.

“This is a great example of what can happen when the city and the private sector work together. We appreciate our partners for investing over $2 million in Oakland Park and creating something residents will be able to enjoy for years to come.”

The opening of Greenleaf Park comes during a busy period for Oakland Park’s public facilities. Several other projects have been completed or reopened during the summer, giving residents new or improved places to gather, exercise and take part in community activities.

The Oakland Park Library opened at City Centennial Park in July. Stevens Field also reopened following extensive improvements, while Richard E. Giusti Heart Par Cours returned with new exercise equipment, seating, shade and signage.

The city’s park improvements are not stopping there. Royal Palm Park and Veterans Park are scheduled to reopen in September, adding to a growing list of upgraded public spaces.

Greenleaf Park is part of a larger effort that extends beyond individual parks. In recent years, Oakland Park has added or unlocked more than 30 acres of parkland and green space through a combination of public-private partnerships, strategic use of public property and other investments.

That expansion includes several projects with different purposes and settings. The Oak Tree greenway is contributing to the city’s network of green space, while the BLYS waterfront promenade is creating another public area along the city’s waterfront. Greenleaf Park now adds a new downtown recreation destination, and the city is also planning an expansion of City Centennial Park.

Taken together, these projects are changing how residents can use outdoor spaces across Oakland Park. The goal is not limited to providing traditional parks. The expanded network is intended to give people more opportunities to walk, play, exercise, meet with others and spend time outside.

The approach also fits into the city’s broader preparations for its centennial in 2029. Oakland Park is working toward a long-term vision that includes improvements to parks, public facilities, mobility and neighborhood amenities.

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The changes underway are visible in projects throughout the city. Along with Greenleaf Park and the recently improved recreational facilities, municipal investments include the new City Hall in the Sky Building, Dr. Carter G. Woodson Park, Fire Rescue Station 9, the Public Works Complex and the Oakland Park Library.

City Centennial Park, Stevens Field and Richard E. Giusti Heart Par Cours are also part of the effort to modernize public facilities and make community spaces more useful to residents.

A major part of the city’s strategy involves making thoughtful use of public property and working with private partners where possible. Greenleaf Park is one example of that approach, with the city gaining a new recreational space through a partnership tied to a larger redevelopment project.

For Oakland Park, the timing is significant. With the 2029 centennial approaching, officials are using the years leading up to the milestone to reshape parts of the city and create amenities intended to serve residents well beyond the anniversary.

Greenleaf Park therefore represents more than the opening of another set of courts and a playground. It adds another piece to a growing network of public spaces while showing how redevelopment and community investment can work together.

Residents now have access to a new downtown location where different generations can use the same space in different ways. Children can use the playground, athletes can take advantage of the basketball, tennis and pickleball courts, and families and neighbors can gather under the shaded pavilion.

As Oakland Park continues its broader transformation, Greenleaf Park joins a series of projects designed to make the city more connected, active and welcoming. The newest park is open ahead of the larger Horizon mixed-use redevelopment, giving the community an opportunity to begin using the public space while work on the broader transformation continues.

The city says these investments are part of its effort to build a more vibrant community for current residents, local businesses and future generations. Greenleaf Park is the latest completed project in that continuing effort.