Hollywood is getting a new Lincoln Park and Elementary School

In the early 2000’s, community residents were successful in convincing the School District to locate a new elementary school in the eastern/central Hollywood area to address severe overcrowding. After a review of several sites, the District’s Site Selection Committee chose the Lincoln Park area (east of 24 Avenue between Pierce Street and Lincoln Street). The new school would be adjacent to Hollywood’s Lincoln Park. The City agreed to allow the School District to locate its recreational areas on park land in exchange for access to the amenities during non-school hours. The School District purchased just over 5 acres of property, east of Lincoln Park, on which the new school would be located. The joint project will provide the community with a brand new elementary school and a much improved park.

During the design process, and while properties were acquired, the School District and City held multiple meetings with the North Central Homeowner Association and community residents to discuss how the site would be developed. Commissioner Beam Furr spearheaded the neighborhood efforts to ensure that the community would have open space and accessibility. It took several months to finalize the park design in order to meet the community and the School District needs. Proceeds from the 2004 General Obligation Bond will partially fund park improvements; the School District will pay for the major park improvements. (Site design at bottom of page.)

Park improvements include: walking trails designed to be educational with a shade garden, botanical garden, and butterfly gardens; extensive landscaping; playgrounds for toddlers (tot lot) with shade structure, parking and safety surfacing; softball field; lighting; game tables; benches; basketball courts; playgrounds for kindergarten and elementary aged students; and bike racks.

In June of 2007, the City of Hollywood executed an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) with the School Board of Broward County to allow for the construction of the new elementary school and improvements to Lincoln Park. The ILA incorporated leasing of City and School District lands to accommodate the park and school as well as to specify the uses of the land. This binding agreement outlines how the land will be used and what access the community will have once it’s completed.

Hollywood residents will have access to the walking trails and tot lot from sunrise to sunset. The softball field, basketball courts and other playgrounds will open after school and on weekends. State law requires the areas used by the school to be restricted during school hours.

The School District has already begun site preparation with removal of the buildings and underground infrastructure. The park has been closed and fenced off as well. Unfortunately due to the small size of the property and the need to install underground utility infrastructure, the park will remain closed during construction. The District will soon be installing signage on the property including a rendering of the school and park as well as a list of nearby parks that can be used by the public during construction. (See list at end.)

The School District hopes to have their permits before the end of the year and will be scheduling a ground breaking ceremony early next year. Construction is anticipated to take 13 months with both the school and the park being completed at the same time. To get an idea of how the new school will look, visit the new campus at Orangebrook Elementary (Washington Street and 46th Avenue).

If you have any questions, please contact Lorie Mertens-Black, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, 954-921-3201 or lmertens-black@hollywoodfl.org .

Elementary School Site Design
Lincoln Park Landscape Plan

Dowdy Field – Dixie Highway and Johnson Street – ¼ mile – Permitted athletic fields only

Anniversary Park – Hollywood Blvd and 20th Ave - ½ mile - Playground, benches, heavy landscape

ArtsPark – Hollywood Blvd at US 1 – ¾ mile – Multiple play pieces, interactive fountain, walking paths, game tables, arts and entertainment programming.

Stan Goldman Park - Johnson Street at Knights Road – 1 mile – Two playgrounds, picnic shelters, skate park and rink, walking paths, fishing stations

Boggs Field – Sheridan at 23 Ave – 1 mile – Playground, permitted athletic fields

Rotary Park – 3150 Taft Street – 1 mile – Playground, walking path, permitted athletic fields

Poinciana Park – 21st Ave at Fletcher Street – 1 ½ miles – Playground, Dog Park, Basketball half court, walking path

Kiwanis Park – Johnson Street at Park Road – 1 ½ miles – Playground, seating area with butterfly gardens.