WHERE DO YOUR KIDS GO? by Loren & Alan Kellock
Like many other people we know in our area, we moved to West Boca because of its excellent public schools.
We arrived here just in time for our daughter to begin middle school. It’s now eight years later, and we are rapidly approaching sunset as the parents of a teenager.
We were quite satisfied with the schools in West Boca, especially Eagles Landing. But in one respect, our area is not such a great place for teens and pre-teens. Simply put, they have no place to go that is specifically for them, at least not until they have night-time driving privileges.
The younger ones head for Shadow Wood on Friday night to hang out in and around the parking lots. It’s a fragile co-existence of shared space with adults who flock to the movies or Borders, all under the watchful eye of a considerable security presence.
If their parents are accommodating, maybe some kids can make it to the Boca mall instead, or even Muvico near FAU. But it’s still an uneasy sharing of space with adults, as well as likely tension and conflict with merchants.
Is this the best we can do for the 10,000 kids in our area aged 11 to 17?
The more we’ve thought about it, the more we say NO! Other communities have dedicated youth centers for this age group, whether it be East Boca, Wellington, Jupiter, Coconut Creek or Coral Springs. True, these are all city facilities, and West Boca is not a city.
But our local government is Palm Beach County, some of whose officials we help elect. Why can’t we lobby the county for a dedicated facility for teens and pre-teens just like some of us pushed for the new amphitheater, the new golf course at the edge of the Everglades, the Daggerwing Nature Center, and the state-of-the-art county library going up on 441?
What about enlisting the support of the private sector?
We’d like to start a dialogue on this blog about getting a first class youth center for West Boca. What’s YOUR opinion?
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Comments
Boca Dunes Country Club will be starting a Teen Center on Friday evenings beginning July 11.
Posted by: In the know | July 1, 2008 2:45 AM
What a great article! I TOTALLY agree with you – this has been one of my foremost concerns since I moved to this “city”. The complete lack of public transportation and “wholesome” activities for teens is, in my opinion, an outrage!
When I grew up in Sweden, every community had a “youth house” within walking distance where we could have good, clean fun in a safe, supervised and nurturing environment. Offerings included craft classes, dance lessons, board games, or just talking over a cup of tea. There was even a dance on Sunday afternoons. I never knew how lucky I was!
Posted by: siv cruz | July 2, 2008 9:25 PM
You raised some issues that are dear to my heart. I think we need a "space" for the kids to hang out. That's really all most of them want -- just to hang out with their friends. No different than when I was growing up. I look at our beaches and think how great it would be for the kids to hang out there, or at one of our parks. I don't think a building or anything like that is necessary, just space. These kids get chased out of every community, every parking lot and every restaurant.
We spoke many times with Parks and Recreation about having stuff for kids. We need to start to push for that again -- at the amphitheater. Let the kids have groups they like and let them hang out. I know with budget cuts and the economy, it’s a tough time to get an audience, but we can sure try.
Sheri Scarborough
President, West Boca Community Council
Posted by: Sheri Scarborough | July 3, 2008 3:21 PM
I agree, there needs to be places for the kids to go, hang out, with other kids. We need some kind of community center for the kids to play indoor basketball, play video games, watch movies, eat pizza/hamburgers (maybe).
After what happened to the teenager being shot dead in our community, I realize how these kids need a safe place to be. Somewhere to end some of their restlessness. They do need a community center.
Sincerely,
A mother with a teenager and preteen
Posted by: Ronda Cone | July 4, 2008 7:22 AM
Good article about where do our kids go. I agree it is a problem.
Ed Strife
Posted by: Ed Strife | July 4, 2008 8:47 AM
We moved to West Boca from Burbank, California, where there were lots of programs for teenagers.
“Got Wheels” is a free program run by the city for teens and pre-teens. They go to the parks and recreation department and fill out an application for free rides on a van that makes the rounds of city attractions all day long during summer vacation. The teens get a “got wheels ID” and can hop on and off any time at the mall, roller skating rink, movie theatre, golf course, tennis courts, city pool and all park and recreation facilities. Pickup is at specially designated stops throughout the city, within walking distance from most housing.
The parks and recreation department facilities were open to the public from 8 am to 10 pm, offering walk-on basketball, swimming, board games, Friday night movies and once a month dances. Many classes were offered at these centers all day, all year for a minimal fee. There was an array of FREE summer activities for all ages.
The Burbank Starlight Bowl Amphitheatre offered 10 days of summer stock musicals for kids. After auditions they picked about 100 kids who got to participate. They practiced 9-5 for 7 days and put on a really astonishing show. All for FREE.
The Burbank First Methodist Church offered a similar program with shows at a legitimate theatre. The Bowl also offered free Sunday evening concerts all summer where “the whole town” turned out for a picnic, wine and dancing under the stars.
The local par 3 golf course offered free play for residents under 14 every day, all day long.
The mall offered free shows for children weekly, all summer long.
The Hollywood Bowl Amphitheatre offered daily music shows of every musical genre from every part of the world for about $3.00 per child. The Music Museum was free to all.
The Museum of Science opened an awesome branch at the local Mall.
Ikea offered free outdoor movies on Friday nights all summer, with local restaurants offering pre-show food samples.
If West Boca offered our kids even a fraction of what Burbank does, we would be well ahead of where we are today!
Siv & Fernando Cruz
Posted by: Fernando & Siv Cruz | July 4, 2008 8:51 AM
Teens definitely need a place to go and things to do. Hanging out in a parking lot is not good for them or for our community.
One local West Boca citizen is starting a teen dance club called Static!. While it is not the whole solution, it is a start. The grand opening of Static! will be in late August. Static! is hosted by the Boca Dunes Country Club. Located in the southwest corner of West Boca, go east on Sandalfoot Blvd. from 441. Turn left at the second stop sign to 1400 Country Club Drive. Or call 561-470-7250 ext. 112 for more info.
Posted by: Boca Mom | July 27, 2008 9:54 AM