Tamarac Moves Forward with New East Side Community Park and Major City Upgrades

by David Volz January 24, 2026

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Tamarac Commission Discusses Budget, $25k Initiatives and $700 Monthly Car Allowance

Tamarac City Hall {photo by Mark Burch}

The Tamarac City Commission is moving forward with plans for a new neighborhood park, a major roof replacement at the Tamarac Community Center, and several other infrastructure improvements to support the city’s long-term growth and daily operations.

During its Jan. 14 meeting, the commission approved an ordinance amending the city’s land use plan for 2.64 acres within the Shaker Village community at 5699 W. Commercial Blvd. The change shifts the property’s future land use designation from medium residential to recreation, clearing the way for the development of a new public park.

Commissioners also approved a related ordinance amending the city’s official zoning map, changing the parcel’s classification from multifamily residential to recreational zoning to allow the project to proceed.

The proposed park will feature a two-story, 10,000-square-foot recreation center serving as a community hub. Plans call for a reception area, exercise room, multipurpose room, offices, a satellite office for the Broward Sheriff’s Office, and two large rooms capable of accommodating up to 150 people.

Additional park amenities are expected to include a 6,000-square-foot playground with a shade structure and observation area, a fishing pier, tennis and basketball courts, a picnic pavilion, open green space for public use, and upgraded landscaping and park benches, according to Parks and Recreation Director Melissa Petrone.

The project was initially estimated to cost more than $7 million. City officials said the final price tag is expected to be higher due to the expansion of the recreation center and rising construction costs, though a final figure has not yet been determined. Funding for the park will come from a combination of grants, according to city information.

Mayor Michelle Gomez said she is pleased to see the long-anticipated park project moving closer to reality.

In other business, the commission approved a purchase order with PSI Roofing to replace the flat-deck roof at the Tamarac Community Center. The project is capped at $465,000, with an additional $35,000 contingency, bringing the total budget to $500,000.

The Tamarac Community Center houses a gymnasium, meeting rooms, a ballroom, an arts and crafts room with a kiln, locker rooms, and senior programming, including arts and crafts, movies, and exercise.

Commissioners also approved an agreement with Anzco Inc. for the construction of a citywide precast buffer wall project at Prestige Commons, totaling $616,750, with a contingency of up to $61,675.

Additionally, the commission authorized the purchase of a new Vac-Con heavy equipment replacement truck from Southern Sewer Equipment for $555,000 and granted the city manager authority to approve change orders up to $65,000.

Gomez said that while some large purchases may not be exciting, they are essential to Tamarac’s day-to-day operations.

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Author Profile

David Volz

David Volz has worked as a writer in South Florida for 35 years. He has written for the Sun-Sentinel, Hollywood Gazette, School Transportation News, South Dade News Leaders, Observer among others. He has an MA in Communications from Florida Atlantic University and a BA in Communications from Valparaiso University. Volz teaches Communications at Miami Dade College and Palm Beach State College. He lives in Coral Springs and enjoys running and participating in 5Ks and half-marathons.