Latest news with #VisitPalmBeach
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Two boat rental companies ordered to stop operations on West Palm Beach waterfront
West Palm Beach has barred a private boat rental club from operating on the city's downtown waterfront and required a water-recreation company to end some services after a warning that their activities violated state rules. JetRide, a club that lets members use boats at locations across Florida, was told to end operations at the city's docks in March. Visit Palm Beach, which offers boat tours and kayak and paddleboard rentals, was required to remove a floating dock and had to stop its rentals. Both moves were prompted by a warning from the state that the business' waterfront activities violated rules for use of docks in the Intracoastal Waterway, city records show. The city operates its downtown docks, which extend into state-owned submerged lands in the Intracoastal, through a leasing agreement with the state, which requires it to abide by state regulations. Last year an inspection by the state Department of Environmental Protection found that Visit Palm Beach and JetRide had installed their own floating docks alongside the city docks, in violation of state rules, records show. In addition, a city attorney said JetRide's operations violated a provision of the city's lease with the state that requires all dock space be available to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. 'JetRide is a private membership-only boat service whose occupation of the City docks prevented use by the general public on a first-come basis,' Deputy City Attorney Nancy Urcheck wrote to a JetRide representative in April. 'The City cannot allow a private members-only boating club to occupy and operate from the City docks.' An executive at Visit Palm Beach, which leases space on the waterfront from the city, told The Palm Beach Post that it had to remove its floating docks and other equipment. As a result, Visit Palm Beach stopped renting many watercraft it used to provide to customers along the waterfront. 'We had to remove our floating docks and everything except our one catamaran, Hakuna Matata,' Leigh Bennett, Visit Palm Beach's director of business development, said via email. 'Our other catamaran, jet skis, kayaks and paddleboards are no longer available from downtown. Without the floating docks, it's too dangerous.' A February consent-order agreement with the DEP required the city to pay a $5,000 fine, remove 'all unauthorized structures and vessels' and install signs making clear that the docks are available to the public on a 'first come, first served' basis. A DEP spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. JetRide's ban from the waterfront prompted complaints from employees and customers, who filed into a city commission meeting this month to ask for the company to be reinstated. 'We bring life to the waterfront,' said Travis Zielasko, the company's founder. 'We're asking for the opportunity to continue serving the community we came from.' The company is aimed at people interested in boating but who don't have the financial means or space to own and maintain their own boats. Members pay a monthly membership fee and are able to use the company's boats for daily outings. JetRide, which formed in 2017 in West Palm Beach, said in a message to the city that it has approximately 500 members in the city's downtown and another 1,500 in Palm Beach County. The company said in a statement that it wants city officials to work with the company and the state on an arrangement that would let it continue to operate on the docks. Shutting down the company's operations, it said, denies hundreds of city residents an easy and affordable way to take boats on the water. 'We're proud of what we've built here,' Zielasko said in a statement. 'All we're asking for is a meeting — to sit down, talk and figure out a way to continue giving people access to boating in West Palm Beach.' Sitima Fowler, president of the West Palm Beach Downtown Neighborhood Association, said she and many other downtown residents used and enjoyed the company's service. She said she was surprised it was being banned so suddenly after operating downtown for years. 'We are so sad that we've lost the only boat rental amenity we had on the waterfront,' she said. 'It doesn't make sense to us at all. JetRide has been in business for a long time here. I know we've been members for over three years. All of a sudden they can't do business here?' Andrew Marra is a reporter at The Palm Beach Post. Reach him at amarra@ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: JetRide, Visit Palm Beach restricted on West Palm Beach waterfront
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Celebrate Earth Day: Learn what it is and how to give back around Palm Beach County
Today is Earth Day, a global reminder to give back, clean up, and express gratitude for our planet. Observed every year on April 22, Earth Day inspires people across the world to take action, whether it's cleaning up coastlines, planting gardens, supporting sustainability efforts, or simply learning more about the environment. In Palm Beach County, there are plenty of ways to get involved, from community clean-ups to eco-friendly events. Whether you're volunteering your time or making small changes at home, today is the perfect opportunity to help protect and preserve our local environment. Here's what Earth Day is all about, and how you can celebrate it right here in Palm Beach County. More: Our family farm, Alderman Organic Farms, supports Earth Day and quality of life | Opinion By giving back to the planet! Earth Day encourages people to take action through community clean-ups, beach and park beautification, recycling efforts, tree planting, and eco-education. In Palm Beach County, residents are stepping up with events like coastal clean-ups, native gardening workshops, and sustainability fairs. Whether it's picking up litter or planting something green, Earth Day is all about protecting the place we call home. Earth Day falls on April 22 because it was strategically chosen by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970 to maximize student involvement. The date falls between spring break and final exams for most colleges, making it the perfect time to mobilize young people. That first Earth Day sparked a national movement — and it's been celebrated every April 22 since. This year's Earth Day theme is 'Our Power, Our Planet' , a global call to action focused on accelerating the transition to renewable energy. The campaign urges countries to triple renewable energy generation by 2030, spotlighting solutions like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power. The message is clear: the future of our planet depends on the power we harness today. The Earth Day flag features the iconic 'Blue Marble' image of Earth taken by NASA's Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Set against a dark blue background, the flag represents global unity and environmental awareness. Created by peace activist John McConnell, who also proposed the first Earth Day in 1969, the flag reminds us that we all share one planet, and one responsibility to protect it. People around the world will be giving back to the planet with clean-ups, community gardening, and environmental education, and you can join in right here in Palm Beach County. From beach clean-ups to family-friendly activities, here are some amazing events you can take part in to help protect our environment and celebrate Earth Day this year. Celebrate Earth Day by giving back to nature! Join the West Palm Beach Coastal Clean-Up on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Downtown Waterfront, 138 South Flagler Drive. Hosted by Visit Palm Beach, this free event welcomes all ages for both on-land and in-water (kayak) cleanups. Kayak spots are limited and require advance registration. Celebrate Earth Day at Palm Beach Zoo on April 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and learn how your visit helps save both animals and their habitats. Enjoy curated talks and experiences that highlight conservation efforts and sustainability. Plus, bring your reusable water bottle to the Zoo and get 10% off your general admission ticket! It's a fun way to support the planet while enjoying a day at the Zoo Head to the Wellington Amphitheater on Saturday, April 26, for a free, family-friendly Earth Day & Arbor Day Celebration. Tree Planting Ceremony with the Village Council kicks things off at 10 a.m., followed by the Great American Cleanup, Wellington Garden Club Plant Sale (10 a.m.–2 p.m.), and Earth Day activities from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Enjoy a day of eco-friendly fun, hands-on learning, and community spirit. All activities are free to attend. Celebrate Earth Day with the North Palm Beach Environmental Committee on Saturday, April 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Bird Village, behind the Village Community Center Park (1200 Prosperity Farms Road). Bring your painted birdhouse (designed for local birds only!) and enjoy a day of fun, free, family-friendly activities including a tree giveaway from Jane at Indian Trails Nursery, face painting, yard games, dirt cup snacks, and more. Diamond Walker is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at dkwalker@ Help support our journalism. Subscribe today This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Earth Day 2025: Give-back, celebrate, events in Palm Beach County
