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City presents Centennial Garden plan for Obita McKeithen Park entrance; seeks public input
Summary
City staff showed a design for a Centennial Garden at the Obita McKeithen Park entrance that includes a circular 'centennial circle' divided into 10 decades, landscaping and future public art; commissioners and staff invited public suggestions via an online survey.
The Deerfield Beach City Commission reviewed preliminary plans for a Centennial Garden at the Obita McKeithen Park entrance and opened the design to public input.
Eric Power, director of planning and development services, presented a rendering showing a circular feature divided into 10 "pie" segments, each representing a decade of the city’s history, with interpretive displays, landscaping and a central lawn area intended for future public art. "The circular area . . . will be divided into 10 pieces of the pie, each representing 1 decade," Power said. He described plant selections tied to centennial colors, the use of existing sidewalk contracts to save costs and the intention to install pavers and interpretive panels in coming months.
Power said staff already fenced the site, installed new sod, and began sidewalk work under existing contracts; the decorative pavers and interpretive displays were pending. The presentation included a short resident survey posted on the city’s Centennial webpage; Power said about 30 responses had arrived in the first days and the city is also coordinating with the local historical society.
Commissioners offered suggestions during discussion. Commissioner Plaut asked about flag placement and suggested including a city flag with an American flag; Power said the location already has a flag nearby and staff would consult Parks for lighting and flag details. Commissioner Shanetzky recommended plantings that thrive in South Florida — hibiscus, lantana and beach sunflower — and suggested butterfly‑attracting species. Vice Mayor Preston praised the public survey and asked how residents could contribute; staff said the survey is available on the city’s Centennial web pages.
A member of the public online, former state representative Gwen Clark Reed, asked whether pathway lighting would be included for evening visits; Power said the design had not yet included ground lighting but staff would consider adding lights after landscaping work is completed.
Power said the next steps are to purchase additional landscaping, set pavers and install interpretive displays; installation of public art in the center would follow public‑art committee review at a later date. The commission directed staff to continue outreach and to return with updates as the project moves to construction milestones.
