James A. Rutherford Park — Attraction in Boca Raton

I am actually conflicted writing this review. This park has the potential to be awesome, it's sad to see it in its present condition. However, the city has let the waterfront and boardwalk section decline to the point it looks like something out of a horror movie. Sections are completely closed off do to unsafe conditions and missing sections of railings. The kayak launch is no-longer open either. The part that is open is sketchy at best. I have no idea what these other reviewers are talking about, perhaps they are confusing it with the other park "lake wyman" that rutherford butts up too or have alternative motives for posting 5 star review but there is no way that this park is a 5 star park at the current time. The city really needs to step up to the plate and get the ball rolling to improve this park. Perhaps the city should stop concentrating on building highrise hotels and condos for a minute and focus on the things that made Boca such a great place to live in the first place. Or at least use some of that newfound tax revenue from these hotels/apts. they are allowing to be slapped up on any available piece of land in the city.

City council should be ashamed of letting such a great place decline to this point. It's time to fix this little hidden...

James A. Rutherford Park is 45 acres in size and it is located on the east side of the Intacoastal waterway. As you come in the north end of the park there used to be boardwalks that went from the park through the mangroves and out to the intracoastal for what I assume is a spectacular view. Unfortunately all three boardwalks have been closed and there is no longer a viable path to the intracoastal which is such a shame. The rest of the park is meticulously kept so I don't understand why Boca hasn't fixed the boardwalks. On the day I visited a group of teenage boys were wading through the mangroves back to the park. It didn't look all that safe.

The south end of the park contains a bathroom with water fountain, picnic pavilion, upgraded playground equipment, more picnic tables and grills. This area was lovely and really contrasts with the decrepit former boardwalks.

At the very back of the park is a rubber track with exercise stations along it. The track connects to the nearby Lake Wyman Park which has sport fields.

This park could be really great if it wasn't for the blight of the boardwalks. I hope that Boca decides to fix this problem soon.

PS I have since found a website detailing the work that is going to be done to fix this park and the connecting...

Positive: nice location, new playground equipment and a close walk to Lake Wyman Park

Negative: i used to love this park, but I decided to take my son for a walk there the other day And there was many homeless people, and people obviously drinking and doing drugs. I actually felt unsafe and had to leave. The kayaks and Boardwalk that used to be there are now closed.

Overall, this park is not something I would go to unless it was cleaned up. I think a lot of the five star reviews are mistaking James T Rutherford for Lake Wyman which is a beautiful park that is connected to...