Late yesterday afternoon I attended the ground-breaking ceremony for Flagler Grove Park, the newest park in the Village of Pinecrest. Of course, the local dignitaries were there; but it was especially nice to see so many children, many 
wearing soccer uniforms. This special three acres is located at 7551 SW 104 Street, across the street from Kendall United Methodist Church (watch for the 
patch coming October 18).
My children are grown. My grandchildren live far away, but in fact .on property directly in front of a tremendous community park which they use often. It is built on land once donated by Bob Hope. So why would I get excited about Flagler Grove Park? It will have lighted soccer fields , a playground, a nice building, restrooms, parking spaces and wondrous green space for all ages to enjoy.
I’m excited because it will add just one more marvelous bright spot to this dynamic community I call home. I drive the stretch of SW 104 Street between Ludlam Road and Pinecrest Parkway (US 1) every day and will thoroughly enjoy seeing the beautification take place, see it filled with happy children and families and hear the gleeful and excited sounds it surely will produce. Parks help make Pinecrest what it is – a phenomenal community with great schools and a superior quality of life.
When the Village of Pinecrest was incorporated March 12, 1996 there were three parks:
1. Coral Pine Park (6955 SW 104 St.)
2. Veterans Wayside Park ( US 1 and SW 112 St.)
3. Suniland Park (12855 South Dixie Highway)
Since then three more absolutely wonderful parks have been added :
4. Evelyn Greer Park (8200 SW 124 St. – remember the trailer park?)
5. Pinecrest Gardens (11000 Red Rd. – the park system’s jewel)
6. Red Road Linear Park (east side of Red Rd, SW 88 St. to 111 Streets)
When Flagler Grove Park is completed and hopefully opens in the spring of 2008, it will be the 7th park in this family community of approximately 19,460 people. No great place to live can ever have too much green space or too many parks. I would be thrilled to attend many more park ground-breakings! Kudos to our Village of Pinecrest leaders and all those who have worked to 
bring this dream to this point and to all who will see it through to fruition.
For the next 6 days I’ll be giving you a little more specific information about each of the already actively used parks in the Village of Pinecrest. As a little time passes I’ll also be giving you more information on the pumpkin patch, where you will surely want to take your children or grandchildren to find exactly the right pumpkin for Halloween.