July 2019 - Parks & Recreation - 45

head Marinelife Center monitors.
During the first half of this year, the
Marinelife Center recorded 8,293
nests from various species, including Loggerhead, Leatherback and
Green sea turtles. In addition to regular beach and underwater cleanups, balloons are prohibited at the
park to promote the safety and protection of sea turtles. Hospital staff
at the Marinelife Center regularly
treat turtles with complications due
to marine debris ingestion. Balloons
are often released - purposefully or
by accident - and end up littering
the ocean. Deflated balloons resemble jellies, a common prey for sea
turtle species.
P&R: What kinds of recreation
opportunities are available at
Juno Beach Park, and how many
people can you find enjoying the
beach on a typical day?
Korbelak: Juno Beach Park is popular for a fun, relaxing day in the sun
along the shore. It offers 300 feet of
guarded beach along the Atlantic
Ocean. Surfing, paddle boarding
(as seen in the photo) and fishing
are permitted outside the guarded
swimming areas. The Juno Beach
Pier extends 990 feet and includes
a bait shop with a snack bar. The
park also includes single-table picnic shelters, restrooms and outdoor
showers. There are also no parking
or entrance fees.
In the summer, between 800
and 1,000 people visit this popular beach daily. In fiscal year
2018, the beach had 482,115 visitors. The pier averages 110,000
visitors per year.
P&R: The photo that is on the
cover of this issue had 1,136
likes on Facebook at the voting
deadline for the 2019 Park and
Recreation Month Cover Contest.

Can you tell me a little bit about
how the community rallied to
make this happen?
Korbelak: Juno Beach Park, the
Juno Beach Pier and Loggerhead
Marinelife Center are some of
the most treasured destinations
among locals and visitors in
northern Palm Beach County.
Both of our organizations have a
huge social media following that
strongly supports our conservation efforts.
Once the photo album went up,
the contest image was shared with
local municipalities, partner agencies, park patrons, employees and
even the media. They embraced
the opportunity to share their love
of the park by participating in
the contest and sharing with their
friends. The photo not only re-

Juno Beach Park, the Juno Beach
Pier and Loggerhead Marinelife
Center are some of the most
treasured destinations among
locals and visitors in northern
Palm Beach County.
ceived an overwhelming number of
likes and hearts, but it also quickly became an online community
where participants reminisced and
shared stories about their park and
the impact it has had in their lives.
P&R: Why did you choose to
submit this photo?
Korbelak: One of the main reasons visitors come to Palm Beach
County is to enjoy the beach, and

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Parks & Recreation

July 2019 - Parks & Recreation

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of July 2019 - Parks & Recreation