Community Forums

bobphoenix · 08-01-2021, 08:36 AM

Having lived in Florida, with an RV for a number of years, we had the opportunity to discover some of the local RV Parks that were run by the Counties, instead of the State. Most of them were out of the way, but not at all remote from civilization. These parks were usually a little smaller, more intimate, but still accommodated the biggest rigs with all the amenities like water, sewer and full 50 amp electric and wi-fi. And, the price of a stay was always reasonable too, usually no more than $50 a night. They were also always well maintained and managed.

For instance, this County run park, right in the heart of West Palm Beach, John Prince Park. There is plenty to do in the park, even before you think of going into town... There is walking, biking and paddling areas and the county puts on entertainment, such as movies, music concerts and live plays, "under the stars" during the winter. You could spend a full week there and never have to go into town, if you don't want to...

Another County run park is in Apopka Florida. It is called "Kelly Park"
The big attraction there is a natural fresh water spring that comes out of the ground and meanders nearly a mile downstream to a pool where the water is only about four feet deep, so people can get out and walk the quarter mile trail back to the source. And, a little further down the same road that the park is on is Kings landing where you can continue down the Rock Spring river in rented canoes and kayaks (or bring your own) for another eight miles and they bring you back...

bobmar · 08-01-2021, 09:07 AM

Thank you!! We use municipal and county operated parks often. Most are well run.

Gigattime · 08-01-2021, 12:28 PM

Thanks for sharing!

PaulTNaples · 08-02-2021, 03:45 PM

As someone who grew up in WPB, Ivan give a big thumbs up to John Prince Park. Quiet for the most part. It is part of John Prince Park. Largest park in the Palm Beach County system. Large lake, good fishing. Lots of play areas for kids. You are next door to the Lantana Airport. Very busy small plane airport. PB Community college close by the park too. Lake Worth beach is 20 minutes away with traffic. All in all, a hidden gem.

CapeDave · 08-02-2021, 05:30 PM

Well next couple of years those parks will be full!
Sometimes it is best just to keep quiet!

twogypsies · 08-02-2021, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CapeDave

Well next couple of years those parks will be full!
Sometimes it is best just to keep quiet!

Totally agree. You need to keep good finds like those a secret. We do! Sure beats a RV park with rows and rows of RVs.

No Sweat · 10-04-2021, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

Totally agree. You need to keep good finds like those a secret. We do! Sure beats a RV park with rows and rows of RVs.

We have reservations here for Thanksgiving weekend here. We haven't camped since the Covid hit 18 months ago. My daughters In-Laws live close by was not many campgrounds to choose from in the area and many were only for snowbirds.

Is there any thing to watch for besides the Iguanid lizard's ?? My son had one for a pet almost 30 years ago. So it will be cool to see them running aound loose !!

I hope to get my Enclave's base plate installed before this trip as towing it on the dolly has scratched and dented the running boards !!

Thanks Bill

Palmeris · 10-04-2021, 02:01 PM

John prince Park has had its issues...I think they got it all cleared out now but last year it was a mess... see below for more info

The last of the homeless population at John Prince Memorial Park’s “Tent City” could be moved out as soon as Friday, Palm Beach County officials have confirmed, offering hope to neighbors vexed by the encampment and generating fear among those living there who say they have no place else to go.

As of Thursday afternoon, some 30 tents were still erected in a fenced-off picnic area of the park, which is west of Lake Worth Beach. Some of the homeless people still in the park gathered under a pavilion to escape the sun.

The encampment, meandering along a patch of lawn nearly the length of a football field, is home to about 150 people, many from outside Florida, just about all of them struggling to repair lives disrupted by addiction, unemployment, family strife or mental illness.

It’s just a small, local piece of a larger national problem that’s far worse in places like California, the state with the highest unsheltered homeless population.

Florida, which ranks second, has had tent encampments, too, in places like Jacksonville, St. Petersburg and Fort Lauderdale.

But the Tent City that took root in September at the Commodore Pavilion in John Prince Memorial Park is the first of its kind in Palm Beach County, which is most known for ritzy Palm Beach and President Donald Trump’s winter White House.

“This is probably the most serious I have seen it during my career,” said Eric Call, who started working for the county parks department in 1984 and became its director in 2010.

“We haven’t had to deal with it at this level before. They’re coming from as far away as Kentucky. They hear through social media that you can camp here,” he said.

Some of the homeless have told county staff they are being dropped off by other South Florida municipalities looking to clear their streets of homeless people.

About 50 yards from the mulch-covered heart trail popular with morning joggers, a shiny blue park sign at the entrance to Tent City lists a phone number to call to reserve the pavilion — something that hasn’t been possible or even enticing because of the homeless invasion.

“It has in essence taken that whole picnic area out of our park system. We can’t rent it out,” Call said.