About the Plantation, Florida Area 

Located in the heart of Broward County and known for its hospitality, Plantation offers all the amenities of a large city, but with a secure hometown atmosphere. Residents, now numbering over 85,000, have access to an extensive list of parks, playgrounds and city sponsored recreational activities. Plantation boasts a median household income, which is higher than many Broward County cities. City planners have achieved a perfect balance with a competitive business environment and hometown lifestyle making Plantation a perfect choice for people of all ages who wish to enjoy the glorious Florida climate. 

Location
Plantation is located in Southeast Florida between the cities of Fort Lauderdale and Miami. It is close to the Atlantic Ocean and the Everglades. 

Geography/Terrain
Plantation consists of 22.8 square miles with 37 different parks. It is less than 10 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. 

Distance to 3 closest major cities:
Plantation is 10 miles west of Fort Lauderdale and 20 miles north of Miami. It is also about 200 miles from Orlando. 

Jobs
The major areas of employment are service industries and retail establishments, with little emphasis on transportation, manufacturing, or agriculture. Plantation is home to a large number of corporate headquarters. The major private employers with more than 200 employees include American Express, Motorola, Florida Power and Light and Kemper National Services to name a few. The fact that the city is already host to a large number of major businesses speaks well for its ability to attract new corporate headquarters to the area. 

Housing
Plantation and its surrounding areas offer a full range of housing options. Some areas offer a blend of traditional and colonial architecture influenced by tropical themes. You’ll find developments with Bahamas awnings and concrete tile roofs. Many are landscaped with Royal Palms, Sable Palms and other tropical shrubs. Newer communities offer amenities such as resort style pools, cyber cafes and playgrounds. 

Parks/Sports/Recreation/Golf
Popular Plantation Heritage Park is a 90-acre water-oriented park that draws boating and fishing enthusiasts from surrounding areas. Paddle boats and canoes are available to rent as well as bicycles. A quiet peaceful place to fish from the shore, enjoy a walk, or ride on the bike path makes this park the most widely enjoyed park in Plantation.  

For a perfect day at the beach or a family picnic, everyone enjoys John U. Lloyd Beach State Park. Here, every imaginable water activity is provided, from boating, swimming, and fishing to diving. For those interested in South Florida’s underwater beauty, Lloyd Beach has one of the easiest and most interesting shore dives available. The park has two boat ramps with easy access to the ocean through the Port Everglades Inlet. The mangrove lined waterway is a scenic place to canoe, bird-watch, or take photos. If you forget to pack your picnic lunch, you can grab a bite at the Loggerhead Café. However, you enjoy this park it’s a great way to pass the day. 

Horse lovers will be happy to know the City of Plantation has supported its equestrian community for years. Set among 85 acres of beautifully landscaped boardwalks, bridle paths and recreation areas, Plantation Equestrian Center is the newest equestrian facility in South Florida. Located within Volunteer Park, visitors enjoy peaceful nature trails, wetlands that support local wildlife and beautiful meeting facilities. The city’s goal is to support “the relationship between a horse and its rider by providing an opportunity for them to connect with our unique South Florida landscape.” 

The nearby world-class sports and entertainment facility, Dolphin Stadium, is home to the Miami Dolphins football team and Florida Marlins baseball. It hosts a variety of other events including the FedEx Orange Bowl, National Championship game in 2009, two MLB World Series, three NFL Super Bowls and numerous concerts and events with international appeal. 

Dolphin Stadium is home to the 2007 and 2010 Super Bowls and has the largest hi-definition video boards and world’s longest LED ribbon display. The stadiums extensive renovation and improvements will be completed by 2009 and will make it the premier stadium in the U.S. 

With the City of Plantation’s motto being “The Grass is Greener,” you can imagine that some of the area’s best golfing can be found here. A new golf course and linear park, Plantation Preserve, will challenge both beginning golfers and seasoned pros with its 18-hole championship course. The 211 acre parcel includes a 7000 yard, par 72 golf course, a 6,600 square foot club house that seats 160 guests, a linear park trail with two trailheads, and 29 acres of wetland preserve. The beautifully appointed clubhouse features a dining room, banquet facility and lounge. Players can unwind on the outside terrace while enjoying the peerless views overlooking the #9 island green at sunset. Visitors and residents both take comfort that this stunning parcel of land has been preserved and protected for all to use, including local wildlife. 

The Fort Lauderdale Country Club, established in 1926, is a private Equity Club located in the heart of Brevard County. Its two championship courses afford the golfer all the benefits of a private club in a beautiful 300 acre park-like setting. A variety of memberships are offered along with tournament play, mixed events and daily year round play. 

Special Attractions/Events
The Fashion Mall at Plantation is a tri-level, 660,000 square foot shoppers’ paradise. Anchored by Macy’s, it also includes The Limited, Express For Men, Enzo Angiolini, Victoria’s Secret, Barnie’s Coffee and the Yellow Strawberry Hair Salon. You can enjoy a relaxing lunch at the popular Bonefish Grill or Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurants and even stay for a weekend at the attached Sheraton Suites that offers a roof-top pool with an unsurpassed view of Plantation. 

Located at the intersection of Broward Boulevard and University Drive, the Broward Mall has over 1 million square feet of indoor shops including department stores, specialty stores and restaurants. Anchored by Macys, Dillard’s, J.C. Penney and Sears, it also offers 120 national and regional stores. 

The City of Plantation hosts an array of spectacular events beginning in the spring with “Celebrate Plantation,” and continuing throughout the year with children’s educational and recreational programs, art programs in the fall and holiday camps and programs in the winter.  

There always seems to be a local event available for residents of all ages and interests and the Plantation Tram, a free transportation system, is ready to shuttle residents to many of these events. The tram was conceived in 2001 when the City of Plantation joined forces with Broward County Transit to encourage more people to utilize public transportation. The buses are air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible making them one of the best ways to get around the city. 

Interesting Facts/Historic Buildings and Places
Native Americans have been living in Florida for many years and from approximately 400 BC to 1700AD, a tribe called the Tequesta inhabited South Florida. The Tequesta buried their dead in specially built mounds and one such mound exists today on the 14th hole at the Plantation Country Club. It was excavated in 1975 by Mrs. Wilma Williams and artifacts such as pottery, tools, and animal and human bones were uncovered. The 14th hole has been nicknamed “Funnee-Okko-Pokko” or “Bone Heap.” In the early 1950’s, when the country club was first built each hole was given a Native American name. 

Frederick C. Peters, who is considered the founding father of Plantation, moved to South Dade County (now Miami) with his family in 1931. He soon discovered the area in nearby Plantation was perfect for plowing and crop cultivation and so introduced the popular Florida Red Potato. It is sometimes remembered by the slogan “Peter Patent Potatoes Peel Pretty.” 

The Peters family was also instrumental in the discovery of “Plantation Pride,” a variety of sorghum that is used as livestock feed worldwide. It is considered one of the contributors to the reduction of world starvation due to its being inexpensive and nutritious. 

The Historical Museum started in a small back room of city hall. In 1985, a new building was built behind The Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library. Today the Library and Museum are set amidst the beautiful Botanical Gardens among meandering paths and huge oaks. It provides charming setting to spend an afternoon getting to know the history of Plantation and learn the historic significance of buildings such as Peter’s School, the Community Center and the Helen Hoffman Library.
 

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