Quality of L ife

Pamela Brangaccio County Administrator: Broward County “Broward County has a quality of life unsurpassed in the U.S. From world renowned sandy beaches and golf courses to world-class art museums and galleries, you will enjoy the best South has to offer right here. You’ll find world-class shopping, dining, festivals and events that people come from all over the world to enjoy. Whether it’s football, cricket, soccer, boating, biking or national touring concerts and shows, Broward County has it all — from the Seagrass at our beaches to the Sawgrass of the Everglades.” 28 www.browardalliance.org Quality of L ife Quality

Quality of Life With its sandy beaches and green parks, golf courses and tennis courts, as well as boating and diving facilities, Broward residents can enjoy the outdoors at any time of the year. And as a major urban center, Broward is filled with cultural institutions, fine restaurants, upscale shopping centers and Photo courtesy of Greater Fort Lauderdale other indoor attractions. Convention & Visitors Bureau

In Broward, a typical weekend often involves Best U.S. Cities for Families” by Family Circle Festivals choosing among inviting recreational options: magazine in its August 2007 issue. Each year, Broward residents can enjoy • Watching the Florida Panthers National hundreds of local festivals that celebrate Hockey League (NHL) team at the • Hollywood was selected as a 2007 “All- various themes, anniversaries and cultures. BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise or enjoying America City” for its initiatives on behalf Among the highlights: a symphony orchestra at the Broward Center of early childhood literacy, community for the Performing Arts. involvement and affordable housing. Broward County Fair This annual event includes more than 100 • Taking in a Broadway play at Fort With its wide array of housing options and rides, games, concerts and other attractions. Lauderdale’s Parker Playhouse or strolling variety of recreational activities, Broward 954-922-2224 along Hollywood’s recently renovated residents clearly enjoy an exceptionally high www.browardcountyfair.com beachside Broadwalk. quality of life. Florida Renaissance Festival Parks in Broward County • Shopping and dining along Las Olas A month-long re-enactment of Renaissance life. Boulevard or enjoying “family time” at a With an average daily high of 90°F in the 954-771-7117 favorite bistro in Coral Springs, Weston summer and 78°F in the winter, it’s almost www.ren-fest.com or Plantation. always a great day to go to a park in sunny Broward County. Local municipalities Fort Lauderdale Air & Sea Show • Playing a challenging round of golf – as well as county government – operate A beachfront salute to America’s heroes and or touring interactive exhibits at the hundreds of parks offering a wide range of one of the world’s largest spectator events. International Game Fish Association’s Fishing activities, including aquatics, batting cages, 954-467-3555 Hall of Fame and Museum in Dania Beach. boat rides, racquet centers, water skiing, www.nationalsalute.com horseback riding, target ranges, skate parks A Variety of Neighborhoods — you name it! Fort Lauderdale Along with its natural beauty and urban International Boat Show® sophistication, Broward also offers a wide The Broward County Parks and Recreation The world’s premier venue for superyachts, array of neighborhoods – each with its Division also offers classes for many leisure displaying more than a billion dollars own distinctive lifestyle. There are cozy activities. Last year, the county launched a worth of boats, yachts and accessories bungalows near the beach, historic estate new fitness program, “Commit 2B Fit — It from every major marine manufacturer homes along the New River, family-oriented Starts in Parks” that help residents maintain worldwide. suburban neighborhoods and equestrian- an active lifestyle. For information about any 954-764-7642 oriented ranches. county facilities, classes, or activities, call the www.flibs.net park directly or contact: Broward communities are among the most Hispanic Fest appealing in the nation. For example: Broward County Parks A festival celebrating Hispanic culture and • Fort Lauderdale has long been known as and Recreation Division traditions. the “Venice of America” for its canals and 950 N.W. 38 Street, Oakland Park, FL 33309 954-964-5056 nautical ambiance. 954-357-8100 www.hispanicunity.org • Cooper City was named “One of the Ten www.broward.org/parks Broward Alliance economic sourcebook 29 Hollywood Jazz Festival Presenting the finest in jazz music. 954-462-0222 www.southfloridajazz.org

Las Olas Art Festival A popular outdoor festival of the arts 954-472-3755 www.artfestival.com Quality of L ife

Winterfest Boat Parade A holiday festival featuring a night parade of lighted boats 954-767-0686 Photo courtesy of Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau www.winterfestparade.com Shops of Center of Hollywood, a non-profit, Golf Courses www.lasolasboulevard.com multidisciplinary arts organization, Broward golfers of all skill levels can choose offers residents visual from more than 40 courses, including Professional and and performing arts programming and exclusive private clubs, premier municipal Spectator Sports education programs. facilities and leading resort courses. For Professional football, baseball, hockey and more information, contact the Greater Fort basketball, as well as pari-mutuel activities, Blockbuster IMAX Theatre Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau at are readily accessible to Broward sports fans. 954-463-IMAX www.sunny.org. Click on Sports, and Golf for www.mods.org a directory of courses and a free Greater Fort Baltimore Orioles Spring Training A dramatic fusion of sight and sound, the Lauderdale Golf Guide. 954-828-4980 Blockbuster IMAX Theater offers the world’s www.orioles.com most powerful and involving film experience Major Shopping Malls with stadium seating, and a five-story screen Shopping is a favorite activity for Broward Florida Atlantic University Owls and powerful digital images. residents and visitors. Here are examples of 866-328-6957 the county’s leading retail destinations. www.fausports.com Broward Center for the Performing Arts 954-462-0222 Broward Mall Florida Marlins www.browardcenter.org 954-473-8100 305-626-7378 Whatever your tastes – Broadway musical www.browardmall.com www.floridamarlins.com or serious drama, modern dance or ballet, classical music or Grammy-winning pop Coral Ridge Mall Florida Panthers concerts – the Broward Center will have 954-537-2732 954-835-7777 something for you. The crown jewel of www.coralridgemall.com www.flpanthers.com Fort Lauderdale’s Arts and Entertainment District, the center is a major complex Mall Dolphins that includes the 2,700-seat Au-Rene 954-755-5550 800-FINSTIX Theater and the intimate 590-seat www.coral-square.com www.miamidolphins.com Amaturo Theater.

The Galleria Miami Heat Coral Springs Center for the Arts 954-564-1036 786-777-1000 954-344-5999 www.galleriamall-fl.com www.miamiheat.com www.coralspringscenterforthearts.com Broadway shows, country music, classical Pembroke Arts and Culture performers all appear regularly at the Coral 954-436-3520 The region’s more than 350 arts and Springs Center for the Arts, a leading www.pembrokelakesmall.com cultural organizations offer a multitude institution in northwest Broward. of cultural activities. Here is a partial list of arts and cultural venues and 954-943-4685 organizations. 954-728-9700 www.pompanociticentre.com www.fgo.org Art & Culture Center of Hollywood Now in its 67th season, The Florida 954-921-3274 Grand Opera brings the best of the 954-846-2300 www.artandculturecenter.org world’s opera to aficionados throughout www.sawgrassmillsmall.com Incorporated in 1976, the Art & Culture South Florida.

30 www.browardalliance.org Quality of L ife Quality

Westin Diplomat Golf Course PHOTO COURTESY OF THE CITY OF TAMARAC Photo courtesy of Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau

Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre 954-763-6882 Housing Choices www.flct.org Whether you prefer an executive home in a family neighborhood, an urban The Fort Lauderdale Children’s Theatre contemporary apartment, or a lavish condominium with a breathtaking ocean- offers classes, workshops, productions, front view, housing choices in Broward County are unlimited. Many gated outreach programs to elderly or underserved communities feature spacious homes and amenities such as health clubs, tennis, populations, festivals, special events and clubhouses, and golf. student internships. Broward also offers business professionals a wide selection of corporate housing BankAtlantic Center options. This concept provides temporary lodging needs with all of the comforts 954-835-7000 of a home, away from home. Strategically located throughout the area, corporate www.bankatlanticcenter.com housing can be found near almost any major business operation. BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise hosts a variety of concerts and other cultural events throughout the year. The facility, which Corporate Housing in broward can seat 20,000 people, is also home for the • ATB Furnished Housing • Marriott ExcuStay Florida Panthers professional hockey team. 866.633.3331 888-340-2565 Museums and Galleries www.atbfh.com www.execustay.com Bonnet House Museum & Gardens • Extended Stay America • Oakwood Corporate Housing 954-563-5393 800-398-7829 954-761-9055 www.bonnethouse.org www.extstay.com www.oakwood.com International Swimming • Homestead Studio Suites • Stress Free Relocation Hall of Fame & Museum 954-733-6644 954-436-1050 954-462-6586 www.homesteadhotels.com www.stressfreerelocation.co www.ishof.org

Museum of Art/Fort Lauderdale 954-525-5500 broward County Rental market www.moafl.org • Efficiency/Studio $857 • Three Bedroom $1,828 Museum of Discovery & Science 954-467-6637 • One Bedroom $1,038 • Four Bedroom $1,821 www.mods.org • Two Bedroom $1,304

The Pompano Beach Historical Museum Note: Rental rates per month, fourth quarter 2006. 954-786-4047 Source: McCabe Research & Consulting, Deerfield Beach www.pompanohistory.com

Anyone for Cricket? Broward is home to the South Florida Cricket League, which now plays Sundays at Brian Piccolo Park in Cooper City. In addition, the City of Lauderhill is planning a new cricket stadium at the county’s newest regional park at Sunrise Boulevard and U.S. 441.

See “Creative Economy and Film” section for additional information. Broward Alliance economic sourcebook 31