Southwest Ranches, Florida
Encyclopedia
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
Everglades
Everglades
The Everglades are subtropical wetlands in the southern portion of the U.S. state of Florida, comprising the southern half of a large watershed. The system begins near Orlando with the Kissimmee River, which discharges into the vast but shallow Lake Okeechobee...
, 15 miles (24.1 km) southwest of Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
, is Broward County's
Broward County, Florida
-2000 Census:As of the census of 2000, there were 1,623,018 people, 654,445 households, and 411,645 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,346 people per square mile . There were 741,043 housing units at an average density of 615 per square mile...
30th incorporated place, having incorporated in the year 2000 to avoid annexation by the city of Pembroke Pines
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Pembroke Pines is a city in Broward County, Florida, United States. The city had a population of 154,750 at the 2010 census, making it the second most populous city in Broward County, the tenth most populous in Florida, and the 150th most populous in the United States...
and to preserve its semi-rural lifestyle. Because the area has many horse ranches and is located in the southwestern part of Broward County, residents chose "Southwest Ranches" over many other potential town names. The population as of the 2010 census was 7,345. The town includes the 2000 U.S. Census census-designated place
Census-designated place
A census-designated place is a concentration of population identified by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes. CDPs are delineated for each decennial census as the statistical counterparts of incorporated places such as cities, towns and villages...
s of Country Estates
Country Estates, Florida
Country Estates was a census-designated place in Broward County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,910 at the 2000 census. It is now a neighborhood incorporated into the town of Southwest Ranches, Florida in 2000.-Geography:...
, Green Meadow
Green Meadow, Florida
Green Meadow was a census-designated place in Broward County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,875 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated into the town of Southwest Ranches, Florida in 2000.-Geography:...
, Ivanhoe Estates
Ivanhoe Estates, Florida
Ivanhoe Estates was a census-designated place in Broward County, Florida, United States. The population was 279 at the 2000 census. It's now a neighborhood incorporated into the town of Southwest Ranches, Florida in 2000.-Geography:...
, Rolling Oaks
Rolling Oaks, Florida
Rolling Oaks was a census-designated place in Broward County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,291 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated into the town of Southwest Ranches, Florida in 2000, and is now a neighborhood.-Geography:...
, and Sunshine Ranches
Sunshine Ranches, Florida
Sunshine Ranches is a former census-designated place in Broward County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,704 at the 2000 census...
. Other areas recently added to the town include Landmark Ranch Estates and Sterling Ranch Estates.
To support its rural-equestrian lifestyle, the town has designated and developed dozens of miles of greenways (multi-use trails).
Description
The area is primarily residential, with most lots of 1 acre (0.404686 ha) or more. There are some small farms and equestrian ranches. The town has laws that keep homes from being built on lots of less than 1 acre. They also generally stop streetlights and sidewalks from being built, in order to conserve and keep the town rural. The town contracts with the Broward County Sheriff's Office to provide police, fire and EMS services.Government and infrastructure
The Florida Department of CorrectionsFlorida Department of Corrections
The Florida Department of Corrections, established in 1821, operates state prisons in Florida. It has its headquarters in Tallahassee.The Florida Department of Corrections operates the third largest state prison system in the United States...
operates the Region IV Correctional Facility Office on the grounds of Broward Correctional Institution
Broward Correctional Institution
The Broward Correctional Institution is a correctional facility located in the former Country Estates CDP and in Southwest Ranches, Florida, operated by the Florida Department of Corrections. The Region IV Correctional Facility Office is located on the grounds of Broward Correctional Institution in...
in the former Country Estates CDP
Country Estates, Florida
Country Estates was a census-designated place in Broward County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,910 at the 2000 census. It is now a neighborhood incorporated into the town of Southwest Ranches, Florida in 2000.-Geography:...
and in Southwest Ranches. The Broward prison formerly housed the female death row. In February 2003 the female death row moved to the Lowell Annex.
Southwest Ranches’ charter defines the governing body as a council with five members: a mayor and four council members. The mayor is elected at-large from the electorate of the town, and the council members are also elected at-large but represent districts in which they must reside. The mayoral role is largely ceremonial with no more power than any council member.
Other charter positions serving Southwest Ranches include the Town Administrator, Financial Administrator and Town Clerk.
The town's present mayor and council are:
- Mayor Jeff Nelson (2008–12)
- Vice Mayor Freddy Fisikelli (2000-04, 2008–2012)
- Steve Breitkreuz (2006–14)
- Doug McKay (2008–12)
- Gary Jablonski (2010-14)
The town's first council was:
- Mayor Mecca Fink
- Vice Mayor Johnny Dollar
- Forrest Blanton
- Freddy Fisikelli
- Astor Knight
Parks and trail system
To support its rural-equestrian lifestyle, the town has designated and developed dozens of miles of greenways, multi-use trails. On most days, people can be seen riding horses, bicycles or walking the trails that thread throughout the town. Since incorporation, the town has also acquire seven open-space parks within its borders. These are Trailside Park, Sunshine Ranches Equestrian Park, Southwest Meadows Sanctuary, Southwest Meadows Sanctuary/Calusa Corners, Rolling Oaks Passive Park. Country Estates Fishing Hole and Frontier Trails. To date only Sunshine Ranches Equestrian Park has been developed.Sunshine Ranches Equestrian Park includes a schooling ring, a show ring and the Equestrian Oasis, which is an artful installation primarily used to provide drinking water for horses.
Notable residents
River AlexanderRiver Alexander
River Alexander is an American actor born in Southwest Ranches, Florida.-Career:River Alexander began his professional acting career in 2010 with a production of Caroline, or Change...
, 11, Actor, was recently on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
.