May 2018

PARKLAND
by Frank J. Cavaioli, Ph. D.
The
City
of
Parkland is Born
Bruce Barnett Blount (1918-1983) holds the distinction of
being the founder of the City of Parkland in 1963. He was
born in Old Pompano.
Emerson Allsworth, assistant to B.B. Blount and one-time
Florida legislator, named the new city “Parkland” in the
Charter papers. The designation was farsighted since it
coincided with Blount’s view of what the new city should be
like.
Bruce continued in the path that his father, George L.
Blount, had set for him, enjoying success in private and
public life. Bruce graduated from Pompano High School and
continued on to the University of Florida in 1939, majoring
in animal husbandry. He served in the Army during World
War II and achieved the rank of First Sergeant. A citizen of
Old Pompano, he farmed the land and raised cattle, and
was elected mayor there in 1956. He married Lois Hyde of
Mississippi.
The pivotal event in his career occurred when he inherited
1,600 acres of land from his father in the northwest section
of Broward County, the place that would become Parkland, a
tight-knit community away from the frenetic pace of modern
life in South Florida. Blount named 360 of those acres the
BBB Ranches, derived from his initials, and which is the
oldest section of the city.
Ironically, Blount is not listed as a citizen of Parkland, but
as a citizen of Pompano, despite his work that led to its
incorporation. He did build a house in 1958 and lived there
until 1964. Nevertheless, he is the founder of the city.
Not content to have the land remain unorganized, he
set about to form a city that would provide services and
protection to its citizens, who preferred animals. His goal was
to maintain its pristine rural character, featuring large open
spaces for families, and to prevent the growing urbanization
of this section of Broward County. Looking back from a 1990
perspective, wife Lois Hyde Blount recalled that Parkland
was originally “formed for the benefit of agricultural-minded
people” who would buy land and pursue agrarian interests.
There were less than 50 people living in Parkland in the late
1960s.
Representative Emerson Allsworth led in getting the Florida
legislature to approve the City Charter on July 10, 1963.
Governor Farris Bryant signed the Charter bill into law on
August 13, 1963.
Thus, Parkland was born.
P
No No one one asks, asks, “Where’s Parkland?” anymore
by Noah B. Rosenfarb, CPA
Living in Parkland, a lot changed on Valentine’s Day. While
it’s been weeks since 17 of our students and faculty were
murdered, the emotions I feel about this situation still bring
me to tears every time. What’s amazing is how tragedy
breeds opportunity. I’m incredibly impressed by so many of
our local teens that quickly became advocates for change
and voices that speak eloquently with gravitas.
While I’ve been silently grieving in the background, Amanda
was quick to act. She never fails to impress me. Right away
she organized and participated in a series of local events.
She took the kids around the neighborhood to “spread love
and kindness,” helped the Moms Club write cards for the
teachers and first responders, painted rocks with inspirational
messages that were spread around town, organized a
“goodie bag” drive so middle schoolers had something
special when they returned to school, and slowly but surely
has been documenting 17 random acts of kindness to honor
the 17 victims.
Jared is four school years away from being an MSD Eagle;
Eden still has eight years. I wonder about the impact this
event will have on them. They’ve been strong but couldn’t
escape the fear and anxiety that comes along with the
constant barrage of media, gossip, and reminders all over
town. Their willingness and desire to participate alongside
Amanda in support of our community gives me hope that
they will always contribute to the world in a positive and
meaningful way, not just in response to injustice, but because
it’s one of the best parts of being human. P
20
MAY 2018