Riverbend Park should be renamed.
commentary by Richard Procyk

The Palm Beach County Historical Board recommended that Riverbend Park should be have a name change reflecting the historical significance that the location memorialized. This was a unanimous declaration by the board during a meeting in April of 2001. The name "Riverbend Park" was so named for a trailer park which was established East of the Loxahatchee River tribuatary, in the 1960's. The discovery of the Seminole Battlefields unfolded during the 1990's. The resulting find was reported to Palm Beach County Officials. The find was confirmed by two archeologist for the County: Robert S. Carr and Jerald William Kennedy of Florida Atlantic University.

The process to rename the park to memorialize its historical significance has been difficult. Kennedy called the park an "historic gem"; and, Bob Carr said the site had "great significance and provides a link to events that shaped Florida 163 years ago." Commissioner Karen Marcus referred to the property as "sacred land."  Evidence was uncovered depicting a continued time line of use by prehistoric people during the Archaic Period, more than 5000 years ago. Riverbend park has proven to be a treasure trove of historical sites including: Seminole Village Sites, two battlefields from the Seminole Wars, and 100 years of pioneer history which includes some of the earliest citrus groves.

Due to the parks importance and multilevel history, it should be given a name that measures its past and suggest to those who remain unaware, of the depth of history that is contained at the park.  The County offered the following names to be considered: "Loxahatchee River Battlefield Park" or "Riverbend Historic Park." Whichever the choice, Let the chosen name reflect honor to those who fought and died here.  Let the name reflect upon one of the most historic places in Palm Beach County.

After a year of contemplation, the County has yet to rename the park. Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation has recently placed an historic marker in the park which did commemorate Powells Battle, which occurred January 15, 1838. They plan to place a second historic marker in January of 2010, to commemorate the Battle of the Loxahatchee, General Jesups Battle which occurred on January 24, 1838. The history has been formally recognized, but a minor name change to reflect some of Floridas greatest history here in Palm Beach County, would be appropriate.

Please join me and write a letter to: The Honorable Jeff Koons, Chairman and members of Palm Beach County Commissioners, 301 North Olive Ave, Suite 1201, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. Please also write to: Burt Aaronson, Vice Chairman; Karen Marcus; Shelly Vana, Steven Abrams, Jess Santamaria; and Priscilla Taylor. Point that you may want to make in your letter: The park is "hallowed ground"; This is the year of our Centinnial; Name change is good for historical tourism; and it is the right thing to do. As a community, let's request that there be no further delays to rename Riverbend Park.