Lake Worth, FL

Lake Worth is a small beach city located in Palm Beach County. It has a population of 18,663 residents (as of the 2000 census). In keeping with the character of this quaint beach community, Lake Worth offers residents "Tropic-Mail," an e-mail newsletter with useful information and local event listings.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The city rests on a strong foundation from its 13 neighborhood associations. The neighborhoods include: Bryant Park, Downtown Jewel, Eden Place, South of Sixth Avenue, South Palm, Sunset Ridge, Tropical Ridge, Vernon Heights and Whispering Palms.

College Park, Mango Groves, Parrot Cove and Lake Osborne Heights are four additional neighborhoods in particular that are committed to community involvement. College Park -- defined by the area between West Palm Beach and Wellesley Drive on one side, and the area between Dixie Highway and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other -- has monthly association meetings and includes a historic district.

Mango Groves is defined by boundaries at Lucerne Avenue, 10th Avenue, Dixie Highway, and Federal Highway. This community is led by a voluntary neighborhood association responsible for local events and activities.

Parrot Cove is nestled between Federal Highway, 2nd Avenue North, and 13th Avenue North. This neighborhood consists mostly of single-family homes from the 1920s, 1950s and 1960s. An active neighborhood, Parrot Cove hosts a home tour, a garden tour, and several neighborhood block parties.

Lake Osborne Heights is a quiet neighborhood with an active association that meets monthly to provide residents with information, events and a forum for open discussion.

The city has about almost 16,000 houses, out of which nearly half of them are occupied by renters. There are about 2,800 houses placed in a square mile. The town is a walker's paradise as all the conveniences are within a mile's distance of the center.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The city experienced a flood in 1812 and a hurricane in 1928, both of which caused a major interruption in the progress of Lake Worth. However, the city has grown at an enormous speed in the last few decades.

The unemployment rate is about 4 percent and the median household income is over $35,000. The most common industries are construction, administrative and support, and waste management services, accommodation and food services, health care, and educational services. The major employers in this city are Motorola, Wackenhut, Lasik Vision Institute and Lake Worth Manor.

The city continues to attract more new businesses each year. The Lake Worth area is also fast emerging as a center for international commerce.

FAMILY FUN

• Barton Park is located on the beach and has picnic and restroom facilities, as well as a public swimming pool.
• Bryant Park offers visitors many outdoor activities, including a heart trail, horseshoes, a bocce court, an outdoor stage, and a fully fenced-in, castle-shaped playground. Water activities include a boat ramp and a fishing pier. The park also offers picnic facilities and restrooms.
• Howard Park has barbecue grills, picnic areas, restroom facilities, and baseball, basketball, and tennis courts.
• Memorial Park offers visitors a field for soccer and football, along with picnic areas and restroom facilities.
• Northwest Park was designed with six baseball fields for the city's Little League teams and also offers picnic areas and restroom facilities.
• South Palm Park has a playground; however, it is not equipped with restrooms.
• Spillway Park offers sportsmen everything they need for a day of fishing, including a fishing pier and restrooms.
• Sunset Ridge Park is great for day or night play. This park offers picnic and barbecue areas, restroom facilities, basketball courts, and a multipurpose field. The five tennis courts are lit for night games.

FOR VISITORS

• Street Painting Festival annually celebrates the old Italian tradition of street painting. More than 400 residents of Lake Worth try their hands at the art form, and all attendees enjoy food, music, and dancing.
• Fun Depot, true to its name, offers laser tag, go-karts, batting cages, and arcade games.
• Lake Worth Playhouse is a not-for-profit community theater. In addition to providing year-round entertainment, the Lake Worth Playhouse offers educational opportunities and stage rentals for special events.

EDUCATION

• Academy of Healing Arts Massage and Facial Skin Care offers a two-year program in the healing arts. The academy participates in the Federal Student Aid program and offers Pell Grants to those students in need.
• Palm Beach Community College, the oldest community college in Florida, offers programs that lead to associate's degrees in a number of fields, including arts, business and office management, child care and human services, computer sciences, environmental sciences, trade and industrial, and public safety and health care.

LOCAL MEDIA

• WPBR 1340 AM (Talk Radio)
• WWRF 1380 AM (Spanish)
• WLVJ 1040 AM (Religious)
• WJNO 1290 AM (News)
• WMNE 1600 AM (Children)
• WJNA 640 AM (Nostalgia)

• WRMF 97.9 FM (Adult Contemporary)
• WXEL 90.7 FM (Public)
• WIRK-FM 107.9 (Country)
• WOLL 105.5 FM (Oldies)
• WAYF 88.1 FM (Christian Contemporary)
• WRMB 89.3 FM (Religious)
• WRLX 92.1 FM (Smooth Jazz)
• WKGR 98.7 FM (Classic Rock)
• WZZR 94.3 FM (Talk Radio)
• WMBX 102.3 FM (Hip Hop)
• WPBZ 103.1 FM (Alternative)
• WLDI 95.5 FM (Top 40)
• WRMA 106 FM (Spanish)

• WPTV Channel 5-NBC
• WFLX Channel 29-FOX
• WXEL Channel 42-PBS
• WPEC Channel 12-CBS
• WPBF Channel 25- ABC