Rutherford Park & Lake Wyman Restoration Project

Update: March 6, 2023

Work on the Lake Wyman/James A. Rutherford Park restoration and improvements continues. Construction crews are currently installing the framing for the boardwalk, dredging the canoe/kayak trails, trimming the mangroves, and removing invasive species along the southern canal. 

Boardwalk SQ
Bulldozer SQ
Clearing SQ

Update: December 2, 2022

Work on the Lake Wyman/James A. Rutherford Park restoration and improvements has begun. The City of Boca Raton passed Resolution No. 126-2022 on November 8, 2022, authorizing the agreement for Construction Manager at Risk Services with Burkhardt Construction, Inc. for the project. 

As part of the City’s Waterfront Master Plan, this $9.6 million dollar restoration and improvement project to the parks will include:  

  • Restoration of the existing boardwalks and installation of a new boardwalk 
  • Pavilion restorations and a new observation pier 
  • ADA & traditional kayak launches 
  • Restored canoe and kayak trails 
  • Mangrove habitat restoration and invasive species removal 
  • Shoreline stabilization to smooth out current shoreline and add in larger rocks 
  • New walking trails 

Initial construction and improvements to the parks began the week of November 28, 2022 and will continue through the Spring of 2024. 

The parks and playgrounds will remain open during the renovation with some areas fenced off for the work, equipment, and materials storage.

Lake Wyman and James A. Rutherford Parks Rendering

Update: December 7, 2021

The City of Boca Raton approved the initial agreement for Construction Manager at Risk Services with Burkhardt Construction on September 24, 2021, for the Rutherford Park & Lake Wyman Restoration Project.

This approval also included pre-construction services.

Since execution of the agreement, Burkhardt Construction has been working with the City’s design consultant to review the construction plans and develop the bid packages.  Burkhardt Construction issued the bid packages for the varied disciplines for this project in mid-November 2021. 

Burkhardt construction will review the submitted bids by the end of December 2021 and will provide City staff with the draft Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for this project in January 2022.  

Following City staff review of the draft GMP, it will be presented to City Council for approval in early in 2022.

Update: July 27, 2021

In March 2021, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire a "Construction Manager at Risk" to construct the Rutherford Park/Lake Wyman park project. This agreement with the Contractor as well as the pre-construction work required prior to construction commencement is scheduled to go on the agenda for either the August or September City Council meeting for approval.

Once this agreement is approved, next steps involve:

  • The contractor will have to conduct some pre-construction work associated with the park.
  • Upon completion of the pre-construction work, a revised agreement for the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction will go to City Council for approval.
  • Once this second agreement is approved, the City will commence construction work.

The City anticipates construction commencement in late 2021.

Update: September 29, 2020

The City of Boca Raton has applied for and obtained both the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Permit and the USACE permit for construction of the park.

Additionally, the City has applied and been awarded a reimbursable grant from the Florida Inland Navigational District (FIND) for over $1.38 million to assist in the cost of the construction of the Rutherford Park & Lake Wyman Restoration Project.

The City anticipates going out to bid for this project in early 2021 with construction commencement in the late spring / early summer 2021.

Click on images below to view full size.

Rutherford Park and Lake Wyman Park Permit Drawing Set 6.19.2020 showing Project location map
Rutherford Park and Lake Wyman Park concept plan showing new features and areas of work

Update: November 19, 2019

Lake Wyman / Rutherford Park Improvements Public Meeting

Updated plan and concept for improvements to Lake Wyman and Rutherford Park waterfront Opens in new window

There will be a Lake Wyman / Rutherford Park Improvements Public Meeting during this Parks and Recreation Board Meeting on Tuesday, December 3 at 5:15pm at the Spanish River Library.

Improvements include:

  • New kayak launches (x2)
  • New restroom facilities
  • New fishing pier
  • Renovated boardwalk and path
  • Renovated pavilions (1 new, 1 restored.)

View the Lake Wyman and Rutherford Park Updated Plan Concept Nov 13 2019 (PDF).

UPDATE: April 10, 2018

Rutherford Park & Lake Wyman Design Improvements

Watch April 9 City Council Workshop presentation

Rutherford Park & Lake Wyman Design Improvements and Public Outreach Meeting Presentation 04.09.2018 (PDF) - Contact the City Clerk’s Office for this presentation.

Concept Design - April 9, 2018