Parkland Mayor Rich Walker.
A Message from Mayor Rich Walker
When we set our minds to achieve something in Parkland, we set our goals, dig in, and we get things done.
From my point of view as Mayor, we have always embraced a certain mindset that brings us together, propels us forward, and allows us to see things clearly – even when it may be a little out of focus and off in the distance.
Over the past 12 months, we have rehabilitated and repaved roads in some of the oldest communities in the City, we have joined the county and the state in transforming Loxahatchee Road, and we will have almost completed a 36-acre park – a historic undertaking, to say the least.
The groundwork for these wins was laid years before that. And it all happened because we dared to dream.
In 2019, Parkland’s former Mayor, who is now State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, Broward County Commissioner Michael Udine, and members of our current leadership, took steps to approve a land purchase at the corner of Hillsboro Boulevard and Nob Hill Road. Wedge Preserve Park, which features a community center, state-of-the-art covered pickleball court, ninja warrior-style course, and a fishing pier, is now just months from reality.
Parkland also has another dream – one that began in 2022, when we decided to take charge of our destiny and purchase a portion of land that is part of the former Heron Bay Golf course. In the near future, development plans will be underway for The Village, which will provide a small number of premium commercial/retail options for our community. And, as for improvements to Loxahatchee Road, you are not only hearing about it, but you are also living it and driving on it each day, as we round the half-way mark for our northernmost artery.
These projects and improvements will positively impact our life experiences for years to come. I am moved by the work that has been done to mold and shape our community-based, community-inspired future, and I will share more with you in person. Join me and the City of Parkland Commission at our annual State of the City event at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at City Hall, 6600 University Drive.
We have turned some pretty hefty ideas into realities in this small town, and we should all be proud of who we are as a City, and what we will become. I encourage you to RSVP at the link on our homepage – www.CityofParkland.org. Join us for an evening of friendship, important updates, live music, and light bites, as we continue to embrace our dynamic future.
Dream Big, Parkland.
If you have questions or comments you would like to share, I would love to hear from you. I can be reached via e-mail at rwalker@Cityofparkland.org or via cell phone at (973) 390-1453. Of course, I am frequently available monthly at Parkland businesses and love to talk with residents there. I encourage you to visit the City’s website Cityofparkland.org and click on the social media icon that you prefer, to ensure that you stay informed on events and helpful information.
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