A piece of Boynton’s natural landscape now has stronger protection. City commissioners voted unanimously to permanently protect roughly 15 acres of city-owned Nickels Forest near Nickels Road, preventing the land from being developed, used for dumping or altered without another unanimous vote. That matters because undeveloped land is becoming increasingly rare in Boynton Beach. Nickels Forest provides trees, wildlife habitat, shade and a quiet natural buffer near one of the city’s busiest commercial areas.
Protecting it also preserves a small reminder of what Boynton looked like before much of the surrounding land was paved and built upon. Residents should know the protection applies to the city-owned portion of the forest. A nearby privately owned property remains separate and has been discussed for possible townhomes. Even so, the city’s action gives the protected acreage a much stronger safeguard than it had before and ensures that this green space will not quietly disappear during future development debates.
After Years of Delays, The Pierce May Finally Be Moving
After years of waiting, Boynton Beach is taking another step to move The Pierce forward. The city has agreed to accelerate a previously approved $7 million incentive for the downtown project near Federal Highway and Ocean Avenue. The Pierce is expected to include about 300 apartments, roughly 17,000 square feet of restaurant, retail and office space, and 150 public parking spaces. Half of the apartments are planned as workforce housing for at least 15 years, giving teachers, first responders, service workers and local employees more opportunities to live near where they work.
The project matters because the site sits in the heart of downtown and has remained empty while residents waited for progress. If construction begins, The Pierce could bring customers to nearby businesses, add housing choices and create more activity around Ocean Avenue. The funding change does not guarantee immediate construction, but it is a meaningful sign that the city wants this long-delayed centerpiece moving.
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🎉This Week’s Featured Events
Benny’s on the Beach 40th Anniversary Celebration — Celebrate 40 years of this Lake Worth Beach favorite from Friday, July 24th through Sunday, July 26th at Benny’s on the Beach, 10 S. Ocean Boulevard. The three-day beachfront celebration will feature live music, food specials and community activities overlooking the ocean. Festivities run Friday from 5:00–10:00 pm, Saturday from 12:00–4:00 pm and Sunday from 9:00 am–12:00 pm. Sunday’s finale will include a community beach cleanup and a special $10 breakfast. For more information click here.
Moonflower: The Spirit of Santana — Experience the sound and energy of Santana on Friday, July 24th from 8:00–10:00 pm at Arts Garage, 94 NE 2nd Avenue in Delray Beach. Moonflower is a five-member tribute band performing the legendary guitarist’s signature blend of rock, Latin rhythms and blues. Tickets range from $53–$58, including fees. For more information click here.
Wild Night Out: Paws & Santa Claus — Leave the kids at home for an adults-only evening on Saturday, July 25th from 6:00–9:00 pm at the Palm Beach Zoo, 1301 Summit Boulevard in West Palm Beach. This 21-and-older holiday-themed night will feature music, animal encounters, festive photo opportunities and creative cocktails, craft beer and food available for purchase. Admission is $25. For more information click here.
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Another Piece of Western Boynton Is Changing
A small piece of land once used for the Westchester Country Club entrance sign is now slated for housing. Palm Beach County commissioners voted 5-2 on July 14th to approve rezoning for seven two-story single-family homes on the 2.4-acre property at Military Trail and Pipers Glen Boulevard. The site was sold for $900,000 in 2024 and had long been maintained as open space. Nearby Tuscany Bay residents raised concerns about privacy and building height, prompting the developer to agree to lower the homes from 35 feet to 30 feet. This is separate from the previously reported plan for 49 townhomes elsewhere at Westchester. For western Boynton residents, the decision means another formerly open parcel will become housing, though the underlying zoning could have allowed as many as 12 homes.
🤔 Did You Know?
The Orange Blossom Express brought glamour and excitement to Boynton during Florida’s 1920s land boom. When the famous passenger train made its first stop here on January 8th, 1927, hundreds of residents greeted it with flags and cheers. Carrying wealthy travelers and business leaders, the train helped place the small Town of Boynton on Florida’s growing rail map. For one memorable day, Boynton shared the spotlight with one of the state’s most celebrated trains.
Safe until a unanimous vote by the commissioners to sell it. That is a great step forward...but not permanent. At some unknown future time when the mall property is re-developed, the Nichols Forest parcel could be a wonderful passive park within a couple blocks for residents to visit by bike or walking along the Boynton Canal. Planning should begin as soon as possible to invest the millions it will take to stop the invasive acacia trees and other pest plants from taking over the Nichols Forest land. The remaining slash pines and native plants deserve protection from the acacias. Acacia wood is a favorite lumber used for beautiful cutting boards, etc., but it will completely take over Nichols Forest if not stopped. Removing the acacias and the Brazilian pepper will cause serious harm to the forest, but it absolutely needs to be done. Getting a couple estimates for the cost of this work is a good first step. And we have the wonderful "Eco Park" on Miner Road to also fund. Big steps for the city, and not to be ignored.