parkland Florida Information

This rustic equestrian town, tucked up in the piney woods of Broward County's northwest corner, with Palm Beach County to the north and the Everglades to the west, Parkland is a study in contrasts. You can find homes situated on multi-acre parcels of land with horse stalls in the back , as well as newly developed very upscale estate homes with manicured lawns and "Homes and Gardens" landscaping. It's a city whose character and inhabitants would seemingly be at odds, yet oddly enough aren't.

It's a forest town, and trees predominate on land formerly owned by large cattle ranchers. Parkland's main drag, Holmberg Road, is a two-lane blacktop whose 35 mph speed limit is strictly enforced by police with little other crime to pursue. The city consists of numerous multipurpose trails for horseback riding; A 5-acre park lighted with sports fields., a tot lot and horse corral; a 9.1 acre park with sports field lighting and other amenities; and a 7.5 acre equestrian center is now completed.

This unique city was incorporated in 1963. Its features are predominantly residential with a small portion zoned for commercial and industrial development. In the past sixteen years, the population grew from 500 to approximately 7,002 people. Long term projections call for an eventual population of between 20,000 and 25,000 residents. City leaders are using a patient, conservative approach to growth to maintain the city of Parkland's small town flavor
City Hall is a picturesque conglomerate of portable buildings under the pines. It's home to Sophie the Town Cat and the kind of friendly employees still found in rare pockets of rural America.

In Parkland's western reaches is the Ranches, a neighborhood of large, old-time farm spreads where nearly everyone rides a horse. The seven square mile city is primarily residential - it has only two businesses - and city officials jealously safeguard Parkland's rural mystique. Indeed, city law prohibits any structure that doesn't reflect Parkland's ``parklike'' image.
Parkland's 7,002 residents, however, are anything but country folk. Their average median income is $92,472. They live in homes with an average price tag of $322,200, and have 3.4 cars. More than 40 percent have bachelor's degrees or higher. Median age: 34.