After months of delays, commissioners at the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District voted unanimously to pay to keep police stationed at the entrance until the traffic light is finished and open their new Spanish River Athletic Facilities at DeHoernle Park to the public.
The decision came at the end of the district’s Aug. 6 meeting. After consulting with the city’s Recreation Services, which schedules sports teams and use of the fields, the opening was scheduled for Aug. 11, according to Arthur Koski, attorney for the district who oversees the park construction.
“The park is ready for use. Let’s get the public out there to enjoy it,” said Commissioner Robert Rollins Jr. He said the city can’t schedule more youth activities because most organizations can’t afford to pay off-duty police to direct traffic out front for safety reasons.
“The intent is to have it open for league play. Let’s open the park,” Rollins said.
The new park is across the street from the Spanish River Library on Spanish River Boulevard. Installation of a mastarm and a traffic light in front fo the park entrance has delayed the opening for months.