Huizenga Park in Bloom: Annie Beck Tree
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
April 1, 2026
This spring marks a special milestone for Huizenga Park: its very first spring since reopening in its newly reimagined form. Across the park, plantings are beginning to bloom, filling the landscape with fresh color, texture, and life.
Among these bursts of color stands a familiar and deeply meaningful presence: the Annie Beck Tree. As one of the park’s most treasured living landmarks, its brilliant yellow blossoms rise above the landscape, offering a powerful reminder that while the park itself has evolved, its roots—both literal and symbolic—remain deeply intact.
Annie Beck: A Pioneer
Annie Beck was a pioneer in Fort Lauderdale who co-founded The Federal Garden Circles of Fort Lauderdale, Inc. in 1927. Annie brought this first Tabebuia to Broward County and planted it at her home on Las Olas Boulevard in early 1930.
In 1988, the Annie Beck Tree was preserved and relocated to Huizenga Park through the joint efforts of the City of Fort Lauderdale, The Federated Garden Circles, Stiles Corporation, and the volunteer efforts of L. Thomas Chancey, Certified Arborist.
Designed with Care, Rooted in Legacy
From the earliest stages of the park’s redesign, the design team approached Huizenga Park with a deep respect for what already made it special. Preserving mature shade trees and taking advantage of the park’s existing canopy were central to the design approach.
The Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority and landscape architecture firm Perkins&Will collaborated with Jeremy Chancey, son of the late L. Thomas Chancey, to carefully evaluate and protect the existing healthy canopy trees as the park underwent its transformation.
When construction began in 2024, preserving the nearly 100-year-old Annie Beck Tree was a top priority. Extensive measures were taken by MBR Construction, Inc. to protect its root system and canopy throughout the construction process. Protective barriers were installed, construction activity was carefully executed, and arborists monitored the tree’s health from start to finish to ensure it remained in good health.
More Beautiful Than Ever
Now that Huizenga Park is reopened, the results are clear. The Annie Beck Tree is thriving with its bright yellow blooms, welcoming park guests at the corner of E Las Olas Boulevard and SE 1 Avenue.
On your next visit, we invite you to pause under its canopy, look up, and take it in. Beneath the blossoms is a living story of care, continuity, and community—one that embodies what it means to be authentically Fort Lauderdale.
About the Author
The team behind Huizenga Park is guided by a shared commitment to fostering community, creating lasting memories, and building an exceptional park experience.
This post was written by Alex Saiz, FTLDDA's Design & Construction Director, who oversaw the planning, design, and construction of the reimagined Huizenga Park.
