Huizenga Plaza

Location and Access

At the intersection of Las Olas Boulevard and Andrews Avenue in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Huizenga Plaza packs a lot into 2.15 acres of urban greenspace. You get views of the New River and direct access to the city's Riverwalk right from this compact spot. If you're driving, there's a metered parking lot nearby - expect to shell out about $3 per hour.

History

The Downtown Development Authority created this space back in the 1990s as part of their effort to add cultural space to downtown Fort Lauderdale. In 2003, they renamed it after H. Wayne Huizenga, a local business mogul and philanthropist who made his mark on the city.

Features and Amenities

The park keeps things simple with an open grassy area and a modest amphitheater that hosts everything from community gatherings to festivals, concerts, and those early morning yoga sessions. A large fountain is the centerpiece, adding some tranquil background sounds to your visit.

Feel free to bring your four-legged friends along - the plaza welcomes dogs and families alike. Just note that there aren't any public restrooms in the park itself, so you might need to duck into a nearby restaurant if nature calls.

Riverwalk Experience

Perhaps the real treat of visiting Huizenga Plaza is accessing Fort Lauderdale's Riverwalk. This charming pathway along the New River offers a peaceful stroll with lovely waterway views and the occasional fancy boat passing by. There's something almost European about it - well-suited for slow walks and people-watching.

You can spend hours just observing the luxury yachts navigating the river or exploring the various restaurants, cafés, and themed bars that dot the waterfront. It's the kind of place where you can easily while away an afternoon without even noticing the time pass.

Surrounding Area

The plaza provides a quiet retreat from downtown Fort Lauderdale's busy streets. From here, you can hop on one of the water taxis that cruise along the river - they're as much a sightseeing experience as they are transportation, dropping passengers at various spots around the city.

The neighborhood surrounding the park has plenty to offer too - diverse dining options, pop-up markets on certain days, and other attractions all within walking distance. Las Olas Boulevard runs right alongside the park and has its own vibrant energy worth exploring.

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Future Development

As Fort Lauderdale's downtown evolves from primarily offices to a more lived-in neighborhood with apartments and mixed-use spaces, Huizenga Plaza is changing too. There's ongoing conversation about redesigning the park to better serve the growing local community. You might occasionally encounter renovation work as these improvement efforts continue - a sign that this little urban park remains an important piece of the city's landscape.