Beach entry fees rise Thursday; annual permits run out Wednesday
Plus: the Vision Zero plan is now official, more fields are coming to Countess de Hoernle Park, and the mayor has set a town hall date.
Starting Thursday, a day at a city beach park costs $5 more. If you have an annual permit, this year's runs out Wednesday night. At City Hall, the council has formally adopted its traffic-safety plan and approved new fields and a playground at Countess de Hoernle Park.
Starting Thursday, Oct. 1, the city's rate table shows higher daily fees at city beach parks. For a car, motorcycle or minivan, the weekday fee goes from $35 to $40. Weekends and holidays go from $50 to $55. For larger vehicles such as trucks, buses and cargo vans, the weekday fee goes from $85 to $95 and the weekend and holiday fee from $120 to $140. The trailer add-on goes from $30 to $35. Also starting Thursday, gatehouses accept only cards and mobile payment.
Annual permit prices change too. The table lists the permit for city and Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District residents at $90 as of Oct. 1, up from $85. The South Beach-only permit for Palm Beach County residents goes to $108, up from $102. Current 2025-26 permits are good through Wednesday, Sept. 30.
Not everyone can renew online. Online purchase is open only to people who bought a beach, boat or dog annual permit in the last two years, and you need an active WebTrac account. You can have the permit mailed, which takes 5–7 business days and carries a $10 processing fee. You can also buy online and pick it up at a city community center. Anyone else buys at a community center. Before you buy, check the city limits map, because a Boca Raton address doesn't always mean you live in the city or the district.
Vision Zero is now official city policy
On Sept. 22, the City Council adopted the Vision Zero Action Plan. The draft was open for public comment this summer. The plan sets a goal of ending traffic deaths and serious injuries in Boca by 2050. It maps the city's high-injury roads and intersections and lays out safety measures for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists.
More fields and a playground are coming to Countess de Hoernle Park
The council also approved an amended agreement with the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District for Phase II of Countess de Hoernle Park. That park is also called the Spanish River Athletic Facility. The expansion adds athletic fields, more parking, restrooms, a playground, sidewalks and other improvements. The city says the goal is to keep up with demand for community sports.
The District will pay for the Phase II work and cover ongoing maintenance and operating costs. The city will keep running the park day to day.
Bring your questions to the mayor Oct. 14
Mayor Andy Thomson will hold a community town hall on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. It's in the mezzanine at Spanish River Library, 1501 NW Spanish River Blvd. The city describes it as an informal session where residents can ask questions and give feedback on current and upcoming city projects.