WHY HAS THE DOTTIE MANCINI PARK BEEN CLOSED?

DOTTIE MANCINI PARK PROPERTY IS OWNED BY BROWARD HEALTH

The Dottie Mancini Park (DMP) located in Imperial Point at 6520 NE 22nd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 has been leased by the owners "Broward Health" to the City of Fort Lauderdale for decades, but unfortunately the lease expired back on November 1, 2023. The DMP is a 1.21 acre fenced-in park/playground area located at the northwest corner of the Broward Health's property that leases to the Broward Health Imperial Point Hospital. The DMP was subsequently locked and closed to the neighborhood when the lease expired with the City but was unlocked and reopened by the property owners Broward Health for one day to allow the previously scheduled Imperial Point Civic Association (IPCA) "Winter in the Park" event to be held. Despite the protracted lease negotiations between Broward Health and the City as of mid-January 2024, the lease negotiations continue until the lease can be approved to allow the DMP to be reopened to the public.

The loss of the use of DMP has already negatively impacted our community and their children and friends from enjoying the park in it's safe fenced-in environment surroundings as opposed to playing in the unsafe streets. We strongly encourage our neighbors and community members to refrain from any trespassing and/or other unlawful activities, but rather join us in signing a petition prepared by the IPCA requesting the property owners Broward Health to approve a lease with the City of Fort Lauderdale. Together we can encourage consummating a lease for the DMP to reopen to the community allowing our families and their children to play and enjoy making lifetime memories in a safe and healthy environment for their well-being.

Ralph Zeltman