Coconut Creek officials announced that George S. Gerber Memorial Park has been chosen as a participant in the Second Annual “Staples Dream Park Challenge with D-Wade,” a local parks improvement initiative. 18 parks throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties, including Gerber Park, will compete for the chance to win the grand prize of $25,000 to be used for park improvements and a winner’s celebration featuring NBA All-Star Dwyane Wade. Additional prizes include $10,000 and $5,000 in park improvements for the first- and second-place parks. The remaining 15 parks will receive $1,000 each for their participation.

From Feb. 14 through Apr. 10, Coconut Creek residents can vote for Gerber Park at www.StaplesDreamPark.com. Participants can vote online once per day and pick-up a “power card” at any South Florida Staples store to obtain 10 extra online votes. Voters will automatically be entered to win a chance to meet D-Wade in person or one of five autographed jerseys.

“When community parks have all the necessary amenities, they become a great place for children and families to come together,” said Wade. “With larger prizes and more parks participating in this year’s contest, we’re expecting the competition among communities to be intense. Together, Staples and I are working to improve South Florida parks through the Dream Park Challenge.”

Gerber Park located at 4715 NW 30th Street, is an essential part of the Coconut Creek community. Local leagues and residents rely on the park for as a safe extra-curricular location. This park is open form sunrise to 10:00 p.m. and features lighted basketball, baseball and soccer fields, covered playground concessions, and shaded areas with benches. However, Gerber Park could use the grand prize to renovate the basketball courts and landscaping to make it a better playing area.

The George S. Gerber Memorial Park is dedicated to the memory of former City Commissioner and Mayor George S. Gerber. “This park has sentimental value to us. As the city was developing, this park was the home to all of our athletic leagues and special events. George realized how important green space was to us and he would be very proud to know that his park is being recognized,” stated Linda Wiederspan, Director, Parks & Recreation, City of Coconut Creek.

Last year, South Florida residents cast approximately 250,000 votes in the first ever Dream Park Challenge. With more than one-third of the votes, John E. Mullin Park (formerly known as City Hall Park) of Lauderhill took home the $25,000 grand prize and received a summer festival at the park featuring a guest appearance by D-Wade.

For more information about the Dream Park Challenge or to find out the additional participating parks, visit www.StaplesDreamPark.com. To locate a Staples store, visit www.staples.com.