Wells Fargo UrbanLift Grant

Wells Fargo UrbanLift Grant

With the generous donation and support of the Wells Fargo UrbanLift Grant, the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale has transformed four vacant lots in the Northwest Gardens neighborhood into small community parks. The lots, totaling 22,600 square feet, are now beautiful community outdoor spaces that use native landscaping and sustainable living principles. During the construction on these community spaces, residents worked with community artists Niki Lopez and Alana DaCosta to design and create community symbols that express the principles of Umoja (Unity: to strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community,) and Kuumba (Creativity: to do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.) These symbols have been etched into the added sidewalks that link the parks to the North West Gardens communities (Phases I-IV) and complete pedestrian connectivity. Tables and benches are being placed throughout the areas to provide a space where the community can gather and socialize. All of the walking paths through the parks are ADA compliant as well. Solar lights and security cameras have been installed to provide a safe environment for children to play.   These cameras are part of a larger community project called “Safe Path” which is connected to a wireless video security system which can be viewed live from this website.