Opened in 2021 at 7508 NW 61st Street, Waters Edge Park transformed an underused parcel of Tamarac land into a 10-acre lakefront playground that families can enjoy year-round. The moment you step past the colorful entrance arch, you’re greeted by sun-splashed sidewalks, towering sabal palms, and a gentle breeze rolling off the central lake. Shaded pavilions circle a story-walk path where oversized pages from rotating children’s books turn an afternoon stroll into a literary treasure hunt. Meanwhile, outdoor fitness stations let parents squeeze in a workout while the kids burn energy on the nearby jungle-gym obstacle course.
Splash-Pad Central
The park’s biggest draw is its zero-depth splash pad, a kaleidoscope of geysers and tipping buckets that cool everyone from toddlers to tweens. Non-slip rubber surfacing, built-in shade sails, and ample bench seating make it equal parts safe and comfortable. City crews sanitize the pad daily and turn on the jets from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., meaning you can plan a morning playdate or a post-school wind-down without worrying about afternoon closures.
Picnics, Pavilions & Playtime
Five rentable picnic shelters—each with electrical outlets and lake views—host everything from dinosaur-themed birthday parties to Saturday salsa potlucks. Directly behind them, a sprawling “all-abilities” playground features ADA-accessible swings, sensory panels, and a climbing net shaped like a manta ray. Parents can keep an eye on the playground while grilling lunch, and the park’s perimeter trail doubles as a stroller-friendly loop that clocks just under a half-mile per lap.
Outdoor Fitness & Lakefront Calm
For grown-ups, Waters Edge Park functions as an open-air gym. Eight body-weight training stations line the walking circuit, offering QR-code videos that demonstrate each move—handy whether you’re a fitness newbie or a calisthenics pro. Anglers set up at the lake’s wooden overlook to catch largemouth bass at dawn, and sunset yogis often unroll mats on the sloped lawn that faces west across the water.
Events & Community Vibe
Tamarac Parks & Rec schedules monthly movie nights on an inflatable screen, seasonal food-truck Fridays, and holiday craft fairs where local artisans sell hand-poured candles and beach-glass jewelry. The park’s story-walk trail changes books every six weeks—past titles have ranged from Eric Carle classics to bilingual tales highlighting South-Florida sea life—so repeat visits always reveal something new.
Nearby Essentials
Publix, ALDI, and Sawgrass Mills Mall sit within a 10-minute drive, and Broward Health Coral Springs is 12 minutes north for urgent-care peace of mind. Grab iced lattes at Nation’s Giant Coffee on Nob Hill Road en route, or pick up picnic bao buns from Phat Boy Sushi a mile east on Commercial Boulevard. With the Sawgrass Expressway (SR-869) only five minutes west, Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport is a breezy 25-minute ride for visiting relatives.
Why Visit Waters Edge Park?
Where many South-Florida playgrounds leave parents scrambling for shade or parking, Waters Edge Park offers free entry, ample spaces, and canopy-covered seating mere feet from the action. Add a splash pad, fitness trail, story-walk, and lakefront sunsets, and it’s easy to see why locals call it Tamarac’s hidden gem—and why weekend coolers and folding chairs fill the lawns by 10 a.m. For families staying in Boca Raton or Fort Lauderdale, the park makes a perfect mid-day detour on the drive between beaches and Everglades airboat tours.
Business Information
Prime Air
150 East Palmetto Park Road, Ste 800, Boca Raton FL 33432
(561) 855-0659
Next Up: Pompano Community Park, FL
Spanning 70 acres, Pompano Community Park packs in an Olympic-size aquatic center, ten pickleball courts, a disc-golf course, and the 3,000-seat Pompano Beach Amphitheater.