Harbordale Park

I'm visiting from out of town so this was my first trip to this park. In previous reviews, I noticed that there was shading over the playground area, however, that shading is no longer available as of April 24, 2019. I came at noon so the playground was a little too hot for my toddler. It's not located in the best of neighborhoods. I have nothing against homeless people, but I figured I should mention that there was a homeless gentleman sitting under the pavilion. There was also a lot of trash around the tables under the pavilion. There is no parking lot structure or restrooms available. Amenities included a walking track with fitness stations, benches, bike rack, a pavilion with tables and chairs, a little library with free books to read, trash and recycling bins and an open play area. This is a pet friendly park. I'm rating 3 stars because this park rates average compared to other local parks.

Harbordale is a waterfront neighborhood in Ft. Lauderdale. The entrance is off 17th Street near Port Everglades. The neighborhood has single family homes, townhouses, and condos. Living in Harbordale puts you near the airport, seaport, and Las Olas Boulevard. Harbordale Park is a small one acre nature oasis in urban Harbordale. according to historical monuments in the park, Harbordale is located on a natural ridge that was once used by prehistoric people for travel. The ridge also held Miami Road which was built on portions of a military road constructed by Abner Doubleday during the 3rd Seminole War. The road connected Miami to the New River in Ft. Lauderdale. In 1910 portions of Miami Road became the toll Rock Road which was traversed by many of Ft. Lauderdale's pioneers. In 1915 Miami Road became Dixie Hwy in Broward County. Today the park has a large open area for play, picnic pavilion with tables, outdoor fitness equipment, Little Library, and a shade covered playground. There is also one other cool historical relic in the park. Harbordale Park contains two gates that were saved from Harbordale Elementary School and installed in the park. I love all the history in the park and that is a Certified Wildlife Habitat. The park provides the four basic things wildlife needs to thrive, food, water, cover, and a place to raise their young. I saw many birds grateful for all that Harbordale Park provides.

Lovely little park with well maintained structures and artificial turf- and most importantly, both play structures and parent sitting area have shade!!

It's a nice park but it became the refuge of the homeless and drug addicts, while I was with my daughter at 5:00 in the afternoon a woman arrived, parked her car and went to smoke her marijuana that eventually perfumed the whole place, the men sit alone to look at the children playing! As a mother, I really don't feel safe with my daughter in this place and the worst of all is that she doesn't have any control or police around.

This is a great playground, but it’s gotten completely out of hand. This is a drug addict’s haven. There are people who are doing drugs in broad daylight (she comes literally every day, rolls blunts and sparks it up), men fighting and screaming profanity all in front of the children. The other day, I witnessed 3 men harassing an older gentleman bound to a wheelchair, absolutely shameless behavior! I have found used condoms, cigarette butts/ashes, empty alcohol bottles, trash everywhere but in the bins, there are also caches of clothing and food items strewn across all of the seating/tables in this park. People who have passed out drunk, sleeping in the grass. I know I am not the only person that finds it absolutely ridiculous that I pay high rent to live in the area and have to drive completely out of the way, to a different city to enjoy outdoor activities with my kid. Go to Hollywood for nice parks, Ft. Lauderdale is not doing their due diligence. I am never someone to write reviews, but I’m absolutely appalled by how the city has allowed this to go on and as long as no one is taking the time to complain, this will continue to get worse.