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Insider Newsletter
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Mayor's Office
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Phipps Park Ribbon Cutting
"This week, we celebrated Phipps Park's recently renovated skatepark and four new pickleball courts. This $800,000 project was funded through the 2020 Parks Bond and general funds — and included a renovated skatepark with new ramps, fencing, shade, a new roof, epoxy flooring, the painting of the building, and more. It was great to see the community excited about these improvements, especially the kids.
We appreciate everyone's help in making this project a reality.
I would particularly like to acknowledge Leah Rockwell, Director of Parks & Recreation, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee (PRAC), Spohn Ranch, Glades Roofing, Ernesto Quality Paint, Gomez & Sons Fencing, Magic Mike Epoxy, Armor Courts, and Lifesaver Fence of Palm Beach County.
Our parks here in West Palm Beach are focal points in the community, encouraging people to spend time outdoors and engage in an active lifestyle. Maintaining our parks is a priority of this great City." — Mayor Keith A. James
"Julie & Mike Connors Club" | Boys & Girls Club Dreher Park
Groundbreaking
"It takes a village to create a city where every child can reach their full potential. And it took a village — a group of ordinary citizens looking to create something extraordinary — to bring us together for this momentous groundbreaking.
On land designated by the City of West Palm Beach and through charitable donations totaling millions of dollars, this Boys & Girls Club location will be serving hundreds of West Palm Beach children annually. Ensuring these opportunities go to the families that need them the most, families will be charged $35 per year — and only if they can afford it.
Because of the Club, parents and guardians can not only obtain work, but they are also able to maintain it knowing their children are in a safe and secure educational afterschool and summer program.
Thank you to Julie and Mike Connors and to every individual who helped bring this project to fruition. Together, we are changing lives and shaping the future of West Palm Beach."
— Mayor Keith A. James
Highlight: 2025 Youth of the Year Phildensy Jean
The esteemed Youth of the Year title awards a four-year university scholarship plus room and board from the Mary Alice Fortin Foundation. This title is given to youth who exhibit great leadership and academic excellence, serving as a role model and advocate for millions of youth served by the Boys & Girls Clubs each year. Last month, Phildensy Jean of the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club in Wellington was officially named the 2025 Palm Beach County Youth of the Year.
“The Boys and Girls Club didn’t just give me opportunities, it gave me purpose.” — Phildensy Jean
Congratulations on this incredible and much-deserved recognition, Phildensy!
*Photo: Mayor James with 2025 Youth of the Year Phildensy Jean and Chilondra Sheppard, Corporate Sponsorship Director, Boys & Girls Club.
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A Vote a DAY Brings the Win OUR WAY!
Do you love the West Palm Beach GreenMarket? Show us with your vote! From 13 vendors to more than 130, we’ve grown together — now let’s keep the momentum going! Support small businesses and help us stay #1 in USA Today’s 10 Best Farmers Market.
*Check out @morganjoycehart — her incredible voice brings the perfect energy to our community, reminding us of the power of music!
Master Chef Showcase
Who will take home the title this year? Our Master Chef Showcase FINALE is on Saturday, April 12, at 10:30 a.m. — where top chefs will go head-to-head using fresh ingredients from our very own GreenMarket. Learn more here!
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NEW: Grant Initiative to Improve Learning Experiences in Schools
The City is pleased to announce the second annual partnership grant initiative designed to improve educational outcomes for its students. Mayor Keith James and the West Palm Beach Education Advisory Committee have allocated up to $6,600 in funding to Palm Beach School District public elementary schools within the City of West Palm Beach.
Read the full press release here.
Smart City Expo USA
Smart City Expo USA is the U.S. edition of the world’s biggest and most influential event on urban innovation: Smart City Expo World Congress (#SCEWC) by Fira Barcelona.
Next week, Mayor James will speak on "Reinventing the American City" as part of a panel discussion with Stephen Ross, CEO of Related Ross, at the Expo in New York City. The panel will be moderated by Aarti Tandon, CEO of Smart City Expo USA.
Learn more here.
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PC: Oriol Tarridas
ArtLife WPB News
We mourn the loss of visionary sculptor Fred Eversley, a pioneer of the Light and Space movement.
Fred Eversley dedicated his life to creating sculptures that tested the imagination. He used his extensive background in the sciences to bring art pieces to life. Today, we pay our respects to a trailblazing artist on a life well-lived.
Portals, an art piece anchoring the newly formed park at One Flagler, pays homage to the historic "First Church of Christ, Scientist" designed by the African American architect Julian Abele.
Composed of Fred Eversley's signature parabolic shapes and standing an impressive 16.5 feet tall in a reflecting pool, Portals' eight stainless-steel sculptures pull the viewer into a visual experience capturing light, sky, and water.
“On behalf of the City of West Palm Beach, I want to express our gratitude that our City has the final monumental artwork by this tremendously influential artist. Mr. Eversley was an iconic artist — someone who charted his own path, who was dedicated to their craft; whose curiosity, passion and drive motivated him to make high-quality work. Someone who continuously pushed the boundaries of what is possible with art.” — Mayor Keith A. James
*Portals was made possible by a public/private partnership with Related Ross for One Flager and is part of the City’s Public Art Program.
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Collection Connection
Explore and reflect on the City of West Palm Beach’s diverse public art collection! Co-created by the Mandel Public Library and ArtLife WPB, this interactive art program encourages participants to explore the City, connect with art, and relate their findings to other aspects of their lives! FREE “Art Passports” are available now at the library — grab yours and begin your journey seeking art around the City using the ArtLife map!
Complete and return your passport to the library by Thursday, May 1, to receive a collector's enamel pin and be entered to win an art-inspired prize package!
Learn more here.
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The Commons: 5 Artists 5 Spaces: Endless Summer 2025
Milena Arango’s immersive art installation project titled “Ocean Echoes” is taking place now at Jose Marti Park. Using a variety of textiles and ropes, Arango will create forms that evoke the rhythm and movement of ocean waves.
Join us for Arango's drop-in knitting workshop on Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Space is limited. Email ArtLife@wpb.org for more information.
Read more about The Commons here.
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DEADLINE APPROACHING: Youth Climate Action Fund
Help create innovative solutions to climate change — all before the age of 25! The Youth Climate Action Fund is back for round two! Applications are now open for local youth ages 15-24.
Apply by Sunday, April 6!
Learn more here.
*Winning projects will receive microgrants (between $1,000 and $5,000 dollars) and mentorship from local experts.
Dispose of your leftover yard waste for free during Vegetation Amnesty Days!
West Palm Beach customers with residential trash service can place unlimited yard waste for pickup at NO EXTRA CHARGE. April 28 – May 9.
Learn more here!
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Attend a Meeting!
Starting in April, Mayor Keith A. James and our newly appointed Police Chief Tony Araujo, invite residents to participate in a series of public safety community meetings.
The first meeting will be on Wednesday, April 9, at the Gaines Park Community Center. Visit the City's website for more details. *The meeting on APRIL 15 has been postponed. A new date will be shared soon.
Mayor's Education Fair
Presented by the Higher Education Partnership of Southeast Florida, the Mayor's Education Fair invites community members to connect with local colleges. Discover what opportunities are available at more than a dozen schools in Florida!
Thursday, April 10 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Mandel Public Library
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WPB-TV
The Palm Beach International Boat Show concluded last week on the West Palm Beach waterfront. The newly expanded Boat Show offered five days of fun with an impressive Superyacht section featuring 200 yachts up to 300 feet long, hundreds of smaller vessels on display, and more! Watch here.
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Graduates of the Mayor's Jumpstart Academy are working hard to build their small businesses with the tips and support they received during their classes. Among them are some familiar faces around City Hall. Watch here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
¡Qué Bacano! Latin Dance Showcase | DDA Event
Get ready to experience electrifying rhythms, sizzling moves, and passion during the Qué Bacano Latin Dance Showcase on Friday, April 4, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in the City Hall Courtyard! From the fiery beats of salsa to the sensual sway of bachata, this finale event series will showcase the best Latin dance style and will transport you to the vibrant streets of Latin America.
An unforgettable evening of entertainment, celebration, and fun! The event is FREE to attend. Learn more and register here!
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e4 Life: Green, Health & Wellness Expo
Come join the fun at the e4 Life: Green, Health and Wellness Expo on Saturday, April 5! Celebrate the 55th anniversary of Earth Day with the Office of Sustainability at the Cox Science Center and Aquarium. Enjoy environmental workshops, free giveaways, demonstrations, local vendors, and more. Learn more here!
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INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
 
The My Streetscape Summer Research Institute, organized by the Center for Smart Streetscapes (CS3), is a paid interdisciplinary education program that focuses on urban technology and trust. This exciting program is open to high school students with an interest in engineering and the social sciences, no matter their experience level.
Program Details:
📅 Dates: June 30 – August 8, 2025 🏙️
Location: Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach
DEADLINE TO APPLY: April 6, 2025
Apply now and learn more here!
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Author Vera de Chalambert (left) and Illustrator Christina Eure (right)
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Grassy Waters Celebrates New Children's Book!
This past weekend, Grassy Waters Preserve celebrated its NEW children’s book during a special pre-release event! Families and friends of the wetlands came to pick up their copies of “Sam the Snail Kite and the Secret of the Everglades.”
Written and illustrated by Grassy Waters staff, this heartwarming story allows readers to learn the secret of the Everglades, discover the power of community, and become a part of the Everglades family!
Thank you to everyone who purchased a copy or donated books to be shared with children in the community. We appreciate all of the amazing support!
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*Click the image above to watch the meeting!
Next City Commission Meeting
The next City Commission Meeting will be held on Monday, March 31, at 5 p.m. in City Hall, 401 Clematis Street. Commission meetings are held every other Monday, except for holidays, and the public is encouraged to attend.
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Submit Service Requests with the WPB Key Portal
Submitting a service request has never been easier — access City Hall right in the palm of your hands! Sign in online or download the app. *Accessible in Español, Kreyòl Ayisyen, and Português.
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CITY NEWS | STAY INFORMED
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SPEND TIME IN WEST PALM BEACH
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Upcoming City Events
Grassy Waters Preserve | 8264 Northlake Blvd.
Explore expansive wetlands featuring native wildlife, beautiful landscapes, and more. Hiking, paddling, and programming available with a reservation! Please call the Nature Center at (561) 804-4985 (TTY: 800-955-8771) to RSVP. View the calendar here.
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Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach | 411 Clematis St.
Office of Sustainability | Events & More
Participate in initiatives and events that reflect the City's mission to provide a healthy, equitable, environmentally progressive, resilient, and ecologically sustainable community for all!
e4 Life: Green, Health & Wellness Expo: 4/5 @ 10 a.m.
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Questions? Contact us at (561) 822-2222 (TTY:800-955-8771)
City Directory
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