For 50 years, the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department (PBC Parks) has provided diverse, safe and affordable recreation services, and opportunities for healthy, happy living for its residents and visitors.
PBC Parks was created in 1951 as a department under the direction of the County Engineers Office. Reorganization in 1972 led to the separation of Parks and Engineering and so PBC Parks and Recreation Department was born. During the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, responding to Palm Beach County's exploding population growth and its equally exploding demand for leisure services, aggressive expansion efforts were accomplished.
Today, PBC Parks is the 11th largest Park and Recreation agency in the country owning 107 park properties, spanning more than 8,500 acres, and provides organized recreational programs and services for people of all ages and abilities.
The department’s core services include ensuring access to beach and water bodies; facilitating health and wellness opportunities; providing for youth enrichment, sports/athletic programming and facilities; promoting stewardship of natural, archeological and cultural sites; and providing for trails and open space for picnic facilities.
PBC Parks play a vital role in maintaining a healthy and resilient environment for residents and visitors. Providing opportunities for healthy, happy living through parks, inclusive experiences and environmental stewardship has shown over the years that park usage is not only for physical activity, but to cope with mental health and enhance one’s physiological well-being and quality of life.
“It is truly amazing to see the growth of our park system over the last 50 years,” said Eric Call, PBC Parks and Recreation director. “With more than 10,000 park agencies across the United States, being recognized as one of the best is a tribute to our residents, elected officials and employees.”
PBC Parks is a two-time winner of the National Gold Medal for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management—the highest honor in the industry. The department was recognized for its best practices and commitment to environmental sustainability, health, and community building, as well as the ability to address the social, recreational and wellness needs of those they serve through the collective energies of citizens, staff and elected officials.
For more information about PBC Parks, visit
www.pbcparks.com and follow @PBCParks and #pbcparks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and WordPress.
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