Commissioner Omari Hardy deserves an answer: Yes or No. If the answer is “No”, need a clear explanation as to why.

On August 15th, the last regular meeting of the Lake Worth City Commission prior to Hurricane Irma, District 2 Commissioner Omari Hardy once again called for a “Resolution of Support” for the Blueway Trail project. Hardy is impatient and so are a lot of other people.

This issue was not addressed at the Commission meeting on September 19th, post-Irma, and that’s completely understandable. However, the next regularly scheduled City Commission meeting is on Tuesday, October 3rd.

The County and many other municipalities have already passed resolutions in support of the Blueway Trail project and it’s time for the City of Lake Worth to do so as well.

The Blueway Trail is serious business: a resolution in support of this project (for example, see the City of Greenacres’ “Resolution No. 2016-04” below) shows a willingness and a commitment to work with our neighbors here in Central Palm Beach County:

“[C]onnection between the ICW [Intracoastal] and the C-51 Canal at the S155 [Spillway] Control Structure would provide for economic development, job creation and recreational enhancement.”

Any actual construction of the Blueway Trail is at least 3–5 years away. The “potential” (commonly referred to as “the ‘P’ word” in Lake Worth) of the Blueway Trail project is clear. A resolution in support is just that: a resolution “in support” of the concept and “in support” of exploring new ideas and working with our neighboring communities, cities and towns, the business community, and many other entities.

From the City of Greenacres (with highlights added):

Resolution No. 2016-04

A resolution adopted by the City Council of the City of Greenacres, Florida, supporting efforts by the Town of Lake Clarke Shores and neighboring municipalities to undertake development of a boat connection between the C-51 Canal and the Intracoastal Waterway.

WHEREAS, Section 163.01, Florida Statutes, known as the “Florida Interlocal Cooperation Act of 1969,” authorizes local governments to make the most efficient use of their powers by enabling them to cooperate with other localities on a basis of mutual advantage and thereby to provide services and facilities that will harmonize geographic, economic, population and other factors influencing the needs and development of local communities; and
WHEREAS, the desire of local governments to develop recreational opportunities, encourage economic development, and create new jobs within our central portion of Palm Beach County while enhancing the environmental attributes of the community should be commended; and
WHEREAS, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) created The Intracoastal Waterway Plan for Palm Beach County: Charting a Course for the Future for the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) published in January 2009; and
WHEREAS, the 2009 Charrette participants identified six core public themes including increasing public access to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), protecting natural resources, expanding all forms of water based transportation, and promoting sustainable economics; and
WHEREAS, the MPO requested the 2009 Charrette be updated by TCRPC and their report was published in January 2015 which documented that a connection to the ICW at the S155 Control Structure on the C- 51 Canal would have significant economic and recreational benefits; and
WHEREAS, the C-51 Canal is connected to a 26 mile chain of freshwater lakes (Pine Lake, Lake Clark, Lake Osborne, Lake Eden and Lake Ida) and navigable canals within the central portion of Palm Beach County; and
WHEREAS, the City of Greenacres supports improvements to the C-51 Canal that would enhance the recreational uses of the ICW, C-51 Canal, and the Chain of Lakes and provide for new economic opportunities and job creation because these opportunities could benefit residents and businesses in Greenacres; and
WHEREAS, the City of Greenacres recognizes a significant environmental resource in the canals and lakes that must be protected and improved; and
WHEREAS, a connection between the ICW and the C-51 Canal at the S155 Control Structure would provide for economic development, job creation and recreational enhancement. The connection, referred to as the “Boat Lift”, is estimated to provide significant economic benefit to the central portion of Palm Beach County well beyond its cost; and
WHEREAS, the Boat Lift project provides for environmental enhancement to the waterways and safe and effective portage opportunities for non-motorized recreational watercraft and small motorized boats to access the ICW.

Now, Therefore, Be it Resolved by the City Council of the City of Greenacres. . .

Heard something about the Blueway Trail and want
to verify whether it is true or not? Then click this link to find out who to contact.