Occupying a prime slate of Downtown Fort Lauderdale acreage, Huizenga Park is back and better than ever.
Credit: Perkins & Will
Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s riverfront is officially getting its heartbeat back. The Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority has announced that the fully reimagined Huizenga Park will reopen January 24 and 25, 2026, unveiling a 3.6-acre public space designed to feel like the city’s backyard, living room and dining room all in one.
After a two-year redesign led by Perkins&Will, the park returns with expanded green space, open lawns, shaded seating, a children’s play moundscape and Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s first dedicated dog run. The restored Spirit of Fort Lauderdale Fountain is back as a centerpiece, joined by two major public art installations from Manolo Valdés and Cey Adams. More than 13,500 new plants and 88 shade trees now frame sweeping New River views, making the park a true everyday escape in the middle of downtown.
“The vision behind Huizenga Park has always been to create a public space that belongs to the people of Fort Lauderdale,” said Jenni Morejon, President and CEO of the Fort Lauderdale DDA. “Huizenga Park now offers everything downtown Fort Lauderdale deserves, a place for connection, engagement, and enjoyment.”
What’s open at reopening is focused on space, culture and community. A full year of free programming kicks off, built around art and culture, health and wellness and dogs and pets, with regular events beginning January 27. Food is starting small but local, with Mr. Smash Burgers launching as the park’s first concession partner.
What’s still to come is the big waterfront anchor. Sweetwaters, a full-service restaurant from the team behind Rusty Pelican, is currently under construction and slated to open in fall 2026.
The reopening weekend will include a ribbon cutting, guided tours, a movie on the lawn, yoga, a market and sunset meditation, setting the tone for Huizenga Park’s next chapter as downtown’s everyday gathering place.
All of the grand reopening details are available at huizengapark.org.
