Huizenga Park Reopens in Downtown Fort Lauderdale: A New Era for the City’s Waterfront Park

Feb 4, 2026

By Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority President and CEO, Jenni Morejon

Truly in awe and full of pride. That’s how I felt during the entire weekend of Huizenga Park’s grand reopening. I imagine it must be how a symphony conductor feels once all the musicians begin playing in perfect harmony on stage after endless practice sessions.

After years of anticipation, the celebration of Huizenga Park’s 2026 rededication marked more than the return of a beloved public space. It signaled a renewed sense of energy, connection, and possibility in the heart of DowntownFTL. It showed the power of parks and the transformational impact that great public spaces can have on a city. Just like the opening day of the first section of Riverwalk, or the first Broadway show to open at the Broward Center, both more than three decades ago, downtown Fort Lauderdale was elevated to a new level on January 24, 2026, with the reopening of Huizenga Park.

After the official ribbon-cutting and a day and a half of events that followed, we didn’t just watch people passing through the park. They stopped and took in the views. They sat and chatted with loved ones. They ate together and played with newfound friends, dogs and kids alike. Some arrived with intention, long awaiting the day the park would reopen. Others stumbled upon the park by surprise and decided to stay, drawn by its natural beauty and energy.

I watched children discover Poppy’s Play Patch for the first time, and pet owners met each other at The Dog Spot. I saw yoga participants naturally move into dancing, with energetic instructors leading the way. Friends sat on the New River Landing, catching up about their morning, or maybe the years since they last connected. Movie night brought couples and families together as the sun set, and devouring a Smashburger became a shared ritual.

From that moment on, it became impossible to see Huizenga Park as just a physical space that our amazing team at the FTL DDA and our Board of Directors created. These moments, small on their own, powerful together, revealed something much bigger taking shape. This wasn’t merely the return of a park; it was the emergence of an unprecedented urban gathering space that our community has been missing. In those overlapping scenes, Downtown Fort Lauderdale found its new rhythm.

We are indebted to the many amazing partners, donors, contractors, and supporters who together allowed the reimagined Huizenga Park to become a reality. It is this collaborative spirit that propels Fort Lauderdale forward. This is the start of a new era, one where the heart of the city beats in the open air, where everyday moments become shared experiences, and where Downtown Fort Lauderdale finally has a place to come together, stay awhile, and belong.

Learn More:

Over 200 free events and activities are planned for Huizenga Park’s inaugural year. To discover more Huizenga Happenings, visit www.huizengapark.org/calendar. Whether you are experiencing Huizenga Park for the first time or are one of its regular guests, Huizenga Park is ready to welcome you—again and again.