For years, West Palm Beach’s Currie Park has languished below its potential despite occupying 13 expansive acres of prime waterfront on the city’s North End.
On Tuesday morning, more than 60 West Palm Beach officials, experts, planners and residents gathered at a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate a sweeping redesign intended to breathe life into this long-underperforming community space.
“We’ve got a lot of parks, but this one is a jewel,” said Leah Rockwell, the city’s director of parks and recreation. “It’s our pearl on the North End of the city, just waiting to be polished.”
Mayor Keith James said the redesign of Currie Park is part of the continuing transformation of the North End of the city, where North Flagler Drive is experiencing a development explosion that is drawing thousands of new residents to waterfront high-rises.
“Today we embark on a journey to create a vibrant, inclusive and inspiring community hub for generations,” James said. “Our grandchildren’s children will be enjoying Currie Park.”
The $35 million restoration is expected to reach completion in the summer or fall of 2027. The cost is being paid by West Palm’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), with grants.
The redesign includes an art plaza, tidal amphitheater on the Lake Worth Lagoon, waterfront promenade with swings, tennis and pickleball courts, playground, events lawn, fitness areas, trails, native gardens, and an expanded pier system.
The memorial for the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and the public boat ramp will remain at the park that is named for former West Palm Beach Mayor George Currie, who deeded the property to the city in 1920.
“The transformation is not just about the physical improvements,” James said. “It’s about fostering a sense of belonging and pride in our city.”
Michael Ainslie, Treasurer of the Palm Beach Civic Association and a member of its Executive Committee, said the new Currie Park, with its sweeping views of the lagoon, boat launch, recreational facilities and restaurant, will be a big draw for neighborhood residents and the greater community.
“This is going to be a lively place where people want to come,” Ainslie said. “Anything that draws people away from Palm Beach, to West Palm Beach, is a positive.”
The CRA has hired New York-based Biederman Redevelopment Ventures (BRV) to develop a plan to generate revenue to sustain the park’s priorities, including safety and security and programming for people of all ages.
Dan Biederman, president of BRV, is widely recognized for his world-class expertise in the creation of lively parks. The most outstanding example is probably New York City’s Bryant Park, which was transformed from a crime-ridden blight into a popular and spirited public space.
“He took an unsafe drug scene and turned it into one of the greatest parks in the world,” Ainslie said of Biederman. “Today it generates millions of dollars through its skating rink, fashion shows and continuing activity throughout the year. That’s what will happen here, in my prediction.”
Biederman said his firm is responsible for developing a plan to determine what activities will occur in different portions of the park and how they will be publicized, financed and governed.
“It’s going to be the most heavily programmed park in Florida,” Biederman said. “We’d love to see over 1,000 people in the park at almost all times. That’s what programming does.”
Biederman said the reborn Currie Park may also attract Palm Beach residents.
“We love the idea of Palm Beach people coming over to a West Palm Beach public space,” he said. “We think it’s doable.”
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