Coral Springs has been awarded the annual Naturescape Emerald Award under the Government/School/Municipality category by Broward County.

The award recognizes the city for its Street Tree Subsidy Program, which was established in 2006 to reach a 30 percent average tree canopy coverage citywide. The program allowed eligible property owners to plant appropriate, code required shade trees as street trees and receive up to $200 in subsidy per required tree.

The program was later expanded to include multi-family and commercial properties and it resulted in over 4,000 street trees being planted citywide in 2012. Throughout this program, the City also developed a “Homeowners Tree Care and Ownership” guide to educate homeowners on tree quality, proper planting and long term proper care of trees.

The award was presented to the city recently at Tree Tops Park in Davie as part of the Broward County Water Matters Day.

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Parkland will organize an Adult Walking Program on April 5 at Pine Trails Park in Parkland and April 26 at North Community Park in Coral Springs.

The activity is open to Parkland residents ages 50 and older and is free of charge. The participants should meet at 9 a.m. on April 5 at the basketball courts in Pine Trails Park and on April 26, the participants should meet at the pavilion located near the playground at North Community Park in Coral Springs.

Advance registration is required with the Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, contact Melissa Soto, Recreation Specialist, at 954-757- 4120 or email msoto@cityofparkland.org.

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According to the latest figures released by the Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) compiled by the FBI, the overall crime rate in Coral Springs fell by 6.8% in 2012. With the exception of shoplifting, the number of crimes in all robbery and burglary categories dropped significantly.

Theft from vehicles dropped by 23%, the number of non-residential burglaries plunged 21%, robberies declined 13%, residential burglaries fell by 8%, and auto thefts dropped by 36% from 115 stolen vehicles in 2011 to 73 in 2012. The number of crimes solved increased by nearly 5% between 2011 and 2012.

In January last year, the city started the Burglary Enforcement and Reduction (B.E.A.R.) Unit, a special crime-fighting unit dedicated to preventing and solving burglaries. The city also added three additional officers, invested in hi-tech crime fighting tools such as improved license plate readers, implemented the “Report a Crime Online” portal on the city’s web site, and continued to promote the “Make a Call, Make a Difference” program.

The immediate reporting of suspicious activity by our citizens has assisted us in the apprehension of suspects while in commission of a crime,” Police Chief Tony Pustizzi said.

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Parkland is spending almost $5,000 for the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School FCAT Boot Camp. The camp consists of Math, Science, and History (writing) exercises. The monies will be used to extend Stoneman Douglas High School after school program for an additional hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays until May 9.

The City Commission, during its Strategic Planning and Budget process last year, budgeted monies to ensure that the public schools within the city’s limits maintain their A Ratings. The city earlier provided money to the high school to assist with free Saturday SAT/ACT tutoring classes.

Contact Jenny D’Ugard at 954-757-4134 or jdugard@cityofparkland.org.

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The Parkland City Commission has authorized Big Fun Productions to hold a family carnival at Pine Trails Park from April 19 to April 21 as part of the city’s 50th Anniversary celebrations.

Food, games and rides will be part of the event. Contact Scott Davidoff, Parks and Recreation Director, at 954 757-3126 or sdavidoff@cityofparkland.org.

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Dave Hulett, who was the chairman of Coral Springs' Nuisance Abatement Board, has resigned.

Hulett's resignation comes days after he lost to Dan Prudhomme in an election to the Sunshine Water Control District. Prudhomme was Mayor Vince Boccard's nominee.

"Mr. Boccard didnt feel I was qualified to serve on the Sunshine Water District board," Hulett said. "I figured I'd give him a chance to get a person that he wants on the Nuisance Abatement Board as well."

Hulett said that he did not have anything against any of the members of the board. "It is a very solid board and it is off to a great start," he said. "We have put together some new procedures. The board members won't miss a beat without me being there."

The Nuisance Abatement Board hears complaints and decides on cases related to abatement of nuisances. Nuisance properties are any place or premise that has had occasions of controlled substance violations, criminal gang activity, dealing in stolen property, or
prostitution.

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Eagle Ridge Elementary School in Coral Springs will organize its annual Chinese Auction at 6 p.m. pm April 12 in the school's cafeteria.

There will be more than 120- themed baskets in which to raffle from, including gift certificates to local restaurants and shops as well as theme parks.

The school is located at 11500 Westview Dr. in Coral Springs. For more information, call 754-322-6300.

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The Parkland City Commission has approved Florida Turf and Landscaping to perform work on the Pine Trails Park berm located on Trails End, to the west of the park entrance.

The work will include installation of irrigation lines, replacement of sod and installation of new landscaping. The work is expected to start within the next 2 weeks and will be completed within 45 days.

The City Commission also authorized Commercial Fence Contractors to remove and replace the chain link fencing, including the back stops located at the Quigley Park ball fields. The work is expected to be completed within a month.

Contact Brian Archer, Public Works Director, at 954 757-4153 or barcher@cityofparkland.org.

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The 18th annual Coral Springs Waterway Cleanup will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on March 16 at Riverside Park, 205 Coral Ridge Drive, in Coral Springs.

The city is looking for volunteers to find and remove trash from waterway locations throughout Coral Springs. Students will receive community service hours. Event T-shirts, plastic bags, directions to sites, and free bottled water will be offered while supplies last.

Former Mayor Roy Gold is the site leader. Contact him at 954-971-4040. The city contact persons are Rick Engle, who can be contacted at Rengle@ coralsprings.org, and Lou Goldstein, whose email is Lgoldstein@coralsprings.org. Call 954-345-2110.

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A two-day book sale will be organized on March 23 and 24 at Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Drive, Coral Springs. Proceeds from the event will help support programs at the library.

For details, call 954- 357-7990.

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