The Transformation of Annie Adderly Gillis Park Begins
A beloved park in the heart of Pompano Beach’s Northwest community is currently undergoing redevelopment. The Annie Adderly Gillis park, the site of the annual Light Up MLK holiday event, is being improved to better serve our local residents.
The Pompano Beach CRA held several events to obtain feedback from the community about their vision for the park, which is a little under an acre and located at the northwest corner of Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and NW 6th Avenue. The renovation is funded by the CRA, will cost approximately $1.4 million, and is expected to be completed in Spring 2022.
The main focus of the park improvement project is to elevate the park to better serve its community. In addition to a beautiful and practical design, the layout is flexible for the implementation of new features as the community’s needs and wants evolve in the future. The design includes interconnected concrete walkways which may also be used as an active trail, landscaping, shade structures for live performances and movies, sidewalks, exercise equipment, and areas with small shade structures and food truck accessibility.
During the public input sessions, issues about safety were also expressed. The new design of the park will address those security concerns with additional lighting and the implementation of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principals in conjunction with City’s installed security cameras.
The layout of the park will also include a designated location for the annual Light Up MLK holiday event to continue the park’s tradition. Long-time resident and community volunteer, Annie Adderly Gillis, lighted the tree at the first event, and in 2011 the City dedicated the park in her honor. In her 98 years, Mrs. Gillis’ contributions to the community were enormous, and her impact will continue to be celebrated with the modernization of this beautiful park.
