I write to express my growing concern and frustration over the prolonged absence of a functional playground at Holiday Park, one of Fort Lauderdale’s most cherished and heavily visited public spaces.
It has been well over five years since the playground was torn down. Despite the park’s prominence and clear demand for family-friendly amenities, there has been no meaningful progress toward its replacement. This is not just an oversight — it feels like a betrayal of the community’s trust.
Holiday Park is a vibrant hub, home to War Memorial Auditorium, Baptist Health IcePlex and the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center, drawing families, athletes and visitors all year. Yet while other parks, such as Florence C. Hardy Park, have had timely renovations and upgrades like new shade structures and boundless playgrounds, Holiday Park’s playground remains a glaring void.
Why has this critical piece of our community been neglected for so long?
The city’s voter-approved $200 million parks bond program promised improvements to more than 90 parks. Yet Holiday Park seems to have fallen through the cracks.
The lack of transparency from our elected officials is unacceptable. Families deserve answers. Why was the playground demolished in the first place? Why hasn’t it been rebuilt? This raises questions about whether our leaders are truly responsive to the will of the people.
Fort Lauderdale families deserve a safe, modern playground where children can play and grow — not empty promises or endless delays. I urge all citizens to demand accountability. Contact city commissioners and press for clear timelines and funding commitments. We can’t allow this vital community space to languish any longer.
Michael George, Fort Lauderdale
Greatness, editorially
With regard to your editorial, “America Really Was Great and Can Be Great Again,” BRAVO!
Frona S. Ross, Boca Raton
Extra-effort meanness
Bravo for telling it like it is (“The meanness of Trump and DeSantis,” Editorial, Aug. 30).
Extra thanks for highlighting the end of certificates of completion for students with disabilities. As a retired special-ed professional, I cannot emphasize enough how important that certificate is for the students, their families and potential employers. It signifies that students went to school every day, did their best and completed their education to the best of their ability.
What happens to these students at graduation now? A quick goodbye and a “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out”?
In my career, I dealt with all kinds of graduation issues involving students with disabilities. At all times, the guiding principle was respect for each student and the family. Being kind is easy, and meanness to this extent takes extraordinary effort.
Janet Fiber, Delray Beach
Out of the building
With much of the senior staff of the FBI, FEMA, CIA and CDC either terminated or taking leave, one must wonder: How will we manage the next pandemic or terrorist attack?
We can no longer count on our allies. We surely have alienated nearly all of them. Nor can we count on the institutional knowledge that was forced out of the building along with seasoned employees. I’m trying to understand how this makes us great again.
Stacie M. Kiner, Hypoluxo
Couldn’t agree more
I have voted through the years for candidates in both parties, and I don’t agree with the Sun Sentinel’s extremely anti-Israel articles.
But I couldn’t agree more with your editorial on the meanness of Trump and DeSantis. I’ve used that exact word in summarizing my feelings about them. Other words come to mind, but they are not printable in a family newspaper.
Mark Keller, Miami
Please submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the online form below. Letters may be up to 200 words and must be signed with your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters will be edited for clarity and length.
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/09/06/disturbing-delays-at-holiday-park-letters-to-the-editor/
