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Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce 

Local information: 

Welcome to Boca Raton!  

Here is some general information on Boca Raton that will help you get acquainted with the area!
Incorporation: May 25, 1925
Population: Approximately 70,000 within city limits
Approximately 125,000 in the unincorporated area
Total Area: 27.14 square miles within the city limits. Slightly over five miles at widest point. Approximately 77 square miles including Greater Boca Raton unincorporated area.
Average Annual Temperature: 74.7 degrees; low: 66.6 degrees, high: 82.9 degrees
Average Annual Rainfall: 60.75 inches
Average Household income: $62,594
Median Household Income: $62,800
Median Age: 42.1
Average Household Size: 2.3 persons  

Palm Beach Interactive 

Accommodations: 

Whether you are here vacationing or here on business Boca Raton and the surrounding area offer first-rate hospitality. A world-class resort, Boca Raton has a reputation of hosting its visitors in style: Boca Raton Resort and Club.
Aside from having a desirable product for everyone, the Palm Beach area offers first-class style and a unique paradise. Boca Raton continues to be a haven for vacationers with accommodations ranging from modest to magnificent.  

Marriott Delray Beach
Radisson 

Education: 

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES:

Palm Beach Community College, South
3000 St. Lucie Avenue, Boca Raton, FL. 33431
561-367-4500 Palm Beach Community College

Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road Boca Raton, FL. 33431
561-367-3000 Florida Atlantic University

Lynn University
3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL. 33431
561-994-0770 Lynn University

Barry University
701 N. Congress Avenue Boynton Beach,FL. 33426
561-364-8220 Barry University 

Harid Conservatory
2285 Potomac Rd. Boca Raton, FL. 33431
561-997-2677 Harid Conservatory 

The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce has a deep-seated commitment to education. As of 1991, a separate 501-C3 foundation was formed to represent the Chamber's commitment to improving the education of young people and to provide funding for local school programs via business and individual contributions.

Named The Golden Bell Education Foundation, it has provided nearly $600,000 in cash and in-kind donations to local public schools and scholarship funds since its inception. These contributions have benefited more than 40,000 students in more than 15 schools. In 2001 alone, the foundation contributed more than $100,000 to local public schools and one scholarship fund.

Funds for The Golden Bell Education Foundation are raised primarily through the Meet Me Downtown Arts & Entertainment Festival, held in the first weekend in March in Boca Raton. This popular community event attracts more than 150,000 people and more than 440 artist and crafters from all over the world. In addition, several private contributors donate to support the Foundation.

All Boca Raton public schools are invited to submit applications for the Golden Bell Grants. Every March, applications for the upcoming school year are mailed to all 20 schools, Elementary through High School. Each school has the opportunity to submit as many applications as needed. Grant requests vary from reading and writing programs for entire schools to specific grade level needs such as science equipment, foreign language materials or computer software. Applications are due back to the Chamber by the end of May.

In early June, the Golden Bell Committee, chaired by Richard Murdoch of Adorno & Yoss, convenes to rank the applications, select the recipients and distribute the funds to the schools. Grants are accepted based on several factors; need, number of student who benefit, past success of the program or feasibility, amount requested, participation and support of PTA or others and other miscellaneous basis. Letters are sent to the principal of each applying school to notify them if their grant was accepted or declined. Grant recipients are then invited the Chamber's monthly breakfast in September to be recognized and receive their grant checks.

Throughout the school year, committee members of the Foundation's board of directors, along with members of our Business & Workforce Development Business Interest Group, visit the schools who received the grants to observe and monitor the programs in action and offer support and encouragement. Each school also submits a progress report on the program for the committee to track the overall success of the program. 

Area Periodicals: 

The Palm Beach Post
The Miami Herald
The Sun Sentinel
City Link 

Entertainment: 

The Kravis Center for Performing Arts
Royal Palm Dinner Theatre
Florida Trend Magazine
Boca Pops 

Shopping: 

For the ultimate shopping experience, Boca Raton has everything you need…and more. No matter what you are looking for, you can easily find it at any of Boca Raton's premier shopping locations.  

Downtown  

Better known as "Downtown Boca," the area around Federal Highway and East Palmetto Park Road is a prime shopping area. The newly landscaped and redeveloped area features a wide array of goods and services including skin care, hair care, travel agencies, gift boutiques, art galleries, fine clothing, jewelry and novelty shops. Throughout the year, there are street parties that showcase local talent, merchandise and exciting activities for the entire family.
Whether you feel like a drink at Gigi's or browsing through Banana Republic, the beautiful Mizner Park Mizner Park has something for everyone. Mizner Park is a one-of-a-kind community centered around a Spanish-styled courtyard reminiscent of architect Addison Mizner's Mediterranean legacy. Opened in 1991, the park features upscale shops, a multiplex cinema, an amphitheater, the Boca Raton Museum of Art, as well as year-round, park-sponsored community events. Jacobson's, a full-services department store, is also a popular Mizner attraction.  

Shopping Areas
Just down the street from Mizner Park, wander through Royal Palm Plaza, the oldest shopping center in Boca. The plaza has 80 shops in a Spanish-style, shopping complex. The quiet courtyards and sculpted fountains are a charming backdrop to several restaurants and luxurious shopping.
There are many other great shopping areas throughout Boca Raton like Boca Center, Glades Plaza, the Fifth-Avenue Shops, Oaks Plaza, Shops at the Sanctuary, Polo Shops, Del Mar Shopping Village, Garden Shops of Boca, Palms Plaza, Point West Centre, Village Pointe, Mission Bay Plaza, Shadowood Square, Boca Lyons Plaza, Somerset Shops, Regency Court, Shops of Boca, Piccadilly Square, VPC Center, Lakeside Centre and West Boca Square.  

The one and only Town Center Mall
Town Center Boca Raton Town Center Mall, located West of I-95 on Glades Road, is one of Palm Beach County's most impressive malls, as well as an international shopping destination. Town Center is anchored by Bloomingdales, Burdines, Cartier, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Sears, Nordstrom's, Tiffany's and Williams Sonoma. In addition, there are over 180 exclusive specialty stores such as GNC, The Disney Store, The Gap and Cartier.
The mall's magnitude ensures an endless variety of retail options and, when you need energy to keep the shopping spree going, the Food Court offers an array of options to satisfy you. Exotic foliage, hand-glazed tiles and skylights make Town Center a first-class shopping wonderland. Valet parking completes the experience and, to top it off, you can even get a car wash while you shop.
Town Center is open from 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6:00 p.m. on Sundays.  

Nearby Shopping
Boca Raton is just a short drive from charming downtown Delray Beach and Palm Beach's famous Worth Avenue, where top-notch fashion, gourmet restaurants and fine art galleries line the historic street and its charming bougainvillea-shaded vias. South of Boca, there are art galleries and quaint shops on Las Olas Boulevard and the lavish Fashion Mall in Plantation. In Miami there is the Fashion District and Decorators Row as well as the Bal Harbour shops in Miami Beach.
If you are a bargain shopper, head directly toward the Festival Flea Market (http://www.festivalfleamarket.com) (Sample Road in Pompano) and Sawgrass Mills (Sunrise Boulevard, east of Flamingo Road off the Sawgrass Expressway ). You may also want to experience the outdoor flea markets at the Delray Swap Shop (U.S. 1, north of Atlantic Avenue in Delray Beach) and the Swap Shop (Sunrise Boulevard in Ft. Lauderdale). 

Sports and Recreation: 

Sports
- Fishing
Anglers and fly fisherman alike can take advantage of a wide variety of sport fishing. The second-largest freshwater lake in the U.S., Lake Okeechobee, is a great place to hook a bass. For saltwater fishing, take a charter or drift boat, or just stake our your territory. You don't need a license is you're fishing from land, a pier, a bridge, or if you are over 65. For freshwater fishing, see the section on licenses and taxes. Loxahatchee Recreation Area is a great location for fishing.  

- Golf
It is never too cold to play golf in Palm Beach County. The county boasts approximately 145 courses, including the must-see historic Boca Raton Resort & Club course and Emerald Dunes in West Palm Beach. There are more than 22 courses throughout Boca Raton, 16 private, two semiprivate, one executive, and three public.  

Public Courses
Boca Raton Municipal Golf Course
Golf Course Road
561/483-6317 (Pro Shop and facility)
Four blocks west of Florida's Turnpike on Glades Road, the course features an 18-hole regulation, 6,115-yard, par-72 course, a nine-hole, 1,877-yard, par-30 executive course; a driving range and putting green, as well as a 10,000-square foot clubhouse, golf shop, food service, club storage and locker rooms. The course is open 365 days from daylight to dark. Special programs include junior golf, the Anniversary Classic, golf lessons and city championships. Annual permits for residents and non-residents, and resident ID card are available. (7:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.)  

Red Reef Executive Golf Course
1111 N. Ocean Blvd.
561/391-5014
This nine-hole, 1,628-yard, par-32 course on the ocean is open to the public year-round. Permits are available to both residents and non-residents. (7:00 a.m.-sunset).  

Southwinds County Golf Course
19557 Lyons Road
561/483-1305
An 198-hole, 72-par course.  

The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce sells a list of golf courses in the area and also offers the American Lung Association's lung card, providing discounted greens fees throughout Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana from May through October. The lung card is available at the Chamber office. Call the American Lung Association for further information at 800/330-5864.  

- Biking
The Boca Raton Bicycle Club serves about 150 members who meet the second Thursday of every month. Call the Chamber office at 561/395-4433 for more information, or e-mail to info@bocaratonchamber.com. 

- Running/Walking
The Boca Raton Road Runners and Walkers meet Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., Saturdays at 7:00 a.m. and Sundays at 6:30 a.m. at Palmetto Park Road and A1A. Call the Chamber office at 561/395-4433 for more information or e-mail to info@bocaratonchamber.com. 

- Shelters and Community Room Rental
Covered picnic shelters and rooms are available for a small fee. Contact the Recreation Services Department at 561/393-7815 for Spanish River Park and J.A. Rutherford. For Patch Reek Park call 561/997-0791 and for Sugar Sand call 561/347-3900.  

- Tennis
Everyone has the opportunity to enjoy a day at the courts in Boca Raton.  

Evert Tennis Academy
10334 Diego Drive South
561/488-2001  

The Swim & Racquet Center
561/395-0128  

- Aquatics
Ocean Rescue Beach Patrol
3939 N. Ocean Blvd.
561/393-7820
Lifeguards protect three section of the 2.4 miles of city public beach from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily. These include: South Beach Park and Pavilion, Red Reef and Spanish River Parks. Surfing is permitted in designated areas, but scuba diving is not allowed at any of the city's public beaches or by access through city parks. Snorkeling may be enjoyed in Red Reef Park.  

Meadows Park Pool
1300 N.W. Eighth Street
561/393-7851
The heated pool is 25 yards by 25 yards, equipped with two one-meter diving boards, a chair lift for the disabled and complete bathhouse and restroom facilities. Programs include "Learn to Swim" courses for ages infant through adult, lifeguarding, master's swim team and recreational swim team. Special events include an Easter egg dive and fun days on al major holidays. All courses are taught by American Red Cross-certified instructors. For more information on fees, lessons or hours of operation, call 561/393-7851.  

- Spectator Sports
If you are the in mood to cheer your favorite team or player on, South Florida offers you the perfect venue. Whether it is the Lipton Championships, the Miami Grand Prix or a Miami Heat game, South Florida will bring out the sports fanatic in you!  

- Baseball
Cheer on the 1997 World Champion Marlins! The major league regular season runs from April to October. Teams enjoy spring training in sunny South Florida. Visit these teams during spring training: L.A. Dodgers, Vero Beach, 561/569-4900, New York Mets, Port St. Lucie, , St. Louis Cardinals, Jupiter, (Roger Dean Stadium), 561/775-1818, Florida Marlins, Jupiter (Roger Dean Stadium), 561/775-1818, Baltimore Orioles, Fort Lauderdale. 

- Basketball
The Miami Heat play their home games at American Airlines Arena every October through March. Call 1-786-777-4200 for more information. The Miami Hurricanes play their home games at the Ryder Center in Miami. Call 1-800-GO-CANES for ticket information. 

- Football
Cheer on those fins! The Miami Dolphins play at Pro Player Stadium, just 40 minutes south on Florida's Turnpike. Call 800/255-3094 for ticket information. Miami is close by and hosts The Federal Express Orange Bowl Classic every January.  

- Hockey
Be a part of the Pack. You don't want to miss one exciting minute of the Florida Panthers. The Panthers play at Office Depot Center, but practice at nearby Incredible Ice Arena in Coral Springs.  

- Soccer
Don't miss Lynn University's men's and women's nationally ranked soccer teams. Call 561/994-0770, ext. 7272 for more information.  

- Dog Racing
If you like pari-mutuel waging, Palm Beach County is home to the Palm Beach Kennel Club, the state's premier greyhound racing venue and simulcast wagering facility. Built in 1932, PBKC is owned by the Rooney Family, who also own the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers.  

Palm Beach Kennel Club
Belvedere Road and Congress Avenue
West Palm Beach, Florida
561/683-2222  

- Horse Racing
Boca offers easy access to Gulf Stream Park, home of the $500,000 Florida Derby and the Breeder's Cup, as well as Calder Racetrack and Pompano Race Track.  

Calder Racetrack
21001 N.W. 27th Avenue
Miami, Florida
305/625-1311
(May to January)  

Gulf Stream Park
U.S. Highway 1
Hallandale, Florida
(January-April)  

Pompano Harness Race Track
1800 Race Track Road
Pompano Beach, Florida
972-2000  

- Jai-Alai
Called the world's fastest ball game, this ancient Basque sport moves at more than 185 miles per hour. The words mean "merry festival," and it is all that and more! Enjoy wagering and dining day and night.  

Dania Jai-Alai
301 E. Dania Beach Blvd.
Dania, Florida
954/927-2841  

- Polo
Royal Palm Polo Sports Complex
18000 Jog Road
Boca Raton, Florida
561/994-1876  

The oldest existing club in South Florida, Boca Raton's Royal Palm Polo Club is known as the sport's winter capital. The world's top polo players compete here on Sundays during the season, January-April. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Royal Palm Polo Club also hosts the $100,000 International Gold Cup Tournament.  

- Other
For those who prefer excitement with a little roar, Palm Beach County's two most-visited tourist attractions should do the trick. Thrill-seekers can get an authentic taste of drag racing at Moroso Motorsports Park in Palm Beach Gardens (561/622-1400), while those who prefer the roar of animals can visit Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee (561/793-1084). 

American Airlines Arena
Proplayer Stadium
National Car Rental Center 

Dining: 

Houston's
PF Chang's
Gatsby's
New York Prime
Gigi's
Cheesecake Factory
Boston's 

Utilities: 

Florida Power and Light
BellSouth
United States Postal Service
South Florida Water Management District
Palm Beach County Sheriff  

Banking and Business: 

First Southern Bank
Bank of America
Washington Mutual
First Union
FAU Small Business Development Center
Florida Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Administration / S C O R E 

The Best Stuff on Earth 

Boca Raton gets an A+ on the environmental report card with its strong recycling efforts and environmentally sensitive lands programs. The city has been leading the charge to protect its natural resources.
"As part of our quality of life focus, we continually strive to highlight the cultural and environmental presence in the community," said M.J. "Mike" Arts, President of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.  

The city of Boca Raton owns the following environmentally sensitive lands and unique park sites:  

Cypress Knee Slough Preserve-These 29.31 acres encompasses the last remaining portion of the Hillsboro Slough, a river system-including the last cypress maple swamp in Boca-that once flowed into the Intracoastal Waterway.  

Blazing Star Preserve-At the end of 1997, the city purchased these 24.14 acres along I-95 between Palmetto Park Road and Camino Real. The property is mostly a sand pine scrub community-another part of the Hillsboro Slough-but also contains a wetland.  

Yamato Scrub-212 acres were purchased jointly by the state of Florida, Palm Beach County and the city of Boca Raton. This area contains one of the most diverse Florida scrub plant communities in our region.  

Rosemary Ridge Preserve-7.29 acres  

Serenoa Glades Preserve-9 acres  

Gumbo Limbo Environmental Education Center-at Red Reef Park-The complex, maintained through the joint efforts of the Boca Raton Beach and Park District, the Palm Beach County School Board and the city's Recreation Services Department, features a coastal dune, tropical hardwood hammock, mangrove wetlands and other natural habitats. Exhibits include a 40-foot-high observation tower, snakes, baby sea turtles and saltwater fish tanks. The center also provides guided tours, classrooms, a marine engineering laboratory and library. The complex is located at 1801 N. Ocean Blvd. For more information, call 561/338-1473.  

Sugar Sand Park-132 acres of land on the southeast corner of Palmetto Park Road and Military Trail. The parcel contains native ecosystems, including sand pine scrub, oak hammock and pine flatwoods. The park contains softball fields, picnic areas and a community center, a science playground and other recreation areas.  

City Beautification
Boca Ratonians can officially say they have a green thumb! The City of Boca Raton has been certified as a Tree City, U.S.A. for the last 20 years. Presented by the National Arbor Day Foundation, this award distinguishes excellence in the planting, maintaining and protection of trees. The city requires that all developers pay for tree replacement and relocation. Boca Raton also established a comprehensive roadway beautification program in July 1983. Since then, 163 miles of city entrances, median areas and interstate interchanges have been landscaped and irrigated. For further information on the beautification program, please call 561/416-3329. For information regarding the Tree Legacy Program, call 561/416-3424.  

Recycling
Boca Raton has been recycling since the 70's, a good 12 years before the state passed the Solid Waste Act, a program that has reduced solid waste by 18 percent. The sanitation section of the Municipal Services Department provides recycling bins to city residents for weekly collection of recyclable materials. Palm Beach County's award-winning recycling service handles newspapers, corrugated cardboard, brown paper grocery bags, magazines, catalogs and telephone books, which are collected in yellow bins. Aluminum cans, foils and pie plates, milk and juice cartons, clear brown and green bottles and jars, and plastics number 1-7 (no plastic bags) are collected in blue bins. The Solid Waste Authority's program placed first among county programs in City and State Magazine, and was given a coveted Keep American Beautiful Recycling Achievement Award. For more information, call 561/930-2727 (only in Palm Beach County) or Recycling Coordinator at 561/ 416-3384.  

Water Conservation
Faced with a high per capita use of potable water, Boca Raton has embarked on a comprehensive water conservation program. The city was singled out before the U.S. Senate in 1992 for its ambitious water conservation programs, which include a xeriscape landscape code, a comprehensive utility leak-detection program, installation of ultra-low volume plumbing fixtures in all new construction, full metering of all users, rain sensors for new irrigation systems, year-round irrigation systems, and a conservation-based rate structure. The city's latest project is the In-City Reclaimed Irrigation System (IRIS), which saves 3 million gallons of fresh water resources a day. The Utilities Service Department offers a vast array of educational resources on water conservation to schools, including videos, brochures, and instructional seminars. Call 561/338-7300 for more information and 561/338-7305 to arrange a tour.  

Energy Conservation
Boca Raton's utility company, Florida Power & Light (FPL), offers a wide range of educational booklets, brochures, and services. It gives free home energy survey evaluations as well as sizable rebates for purchasing energy-efficient air conditioning, caulking and insulation through certified contractors. For more information, call 800/DIAL-FPL.  

Wildlife
South Florida is home to a wide range of birds and animals, from pelicans to the Florida alligator. Whether you take an airboat ride at the Loxahatchee Preserve for a closer look at alligators and great blue herons, or view angel fish while snorkeling off Red Reef Park, you are bound to experience the magic of South Florida's natural world. The city's 1989 comprehensive plan set aside manatee, mangrove, sea grass and sea turtle zones that restrict lighting and development. Manatee public information material are also available from Florida Power & Light (FPL) 

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