Tamarac, Florida
Tamarac gets its curious name from its developer’s original business. The region was a fledgling senior retirement community in the early 1960s when a young millionaire named Ken Behring from the Midwest bought up all the land and built homes and communities here.
Behring had originally made his fortune with a chain of carwash centers called Car-A-Mat. He called his new city Tamarac, Car-A-Mat spelled backwards. The city was incorporated in 1963 and today, sixty-five thousand multicultural people live here.
About the Community
Tamarac is located in the western portion of Broward County in the heart of the South Florida cultural and business climate. Just outside Fort Lauderdale, its central location makes Tamarac a key city for business, leisure and recreation. Though it has remained predominantly a retirement community, an increasing number of young families are moving here, attracted by the excellent weather, good civic amenities and business environment.
Tamarac was honored with the Livable Community for all Ages Award in 2005 for the care and facilities it provides its aging members of society. The various departments of the city jointly run forty senior programs and serve over 1200 seniors every day. The focus is on nutrition and physical fitness. There are different activities for different days of the week and the seniors learn about a different aspect of wellness. Programs include massage therapy, talks by experts on various diseases and keep-fit exercise classes including dancercise.
Important Links (Suggest / Report)
The city is home to the Tamarac Theater of Performing Arts, which has a busy schedule through the year. There are several medical institutions in Tamarac including the University Hospital & Medical Center and the Coral Springs Medical Center that look after the health of the citizens. The city boasts of numerous well equipped parks. Caporella Park features picnic tables, grills, benches, a lake with a fishing pier and walkway as well as a covered playground. Sunset Point Park has a multi purpose trail with exercise stations, wetlands, nature study kiosk, universal/ADA playground with shade cover and a small amphitheater. Veteran’s Park has a veteran’s memorial.
Vicinity of Tamarac
Additional Details
Tamarac Community Center offers a gymnasium, meeting rooms, fitness room, Ballroom, arts and crafts room with kiln, and restroom/locker rooms. A senior program here provides various activities to residents and non-residents alike and features card-playing, arts and crafts, movies, exercise programs such as chair aerobics and jazzercise. The Tamarac Sports Complex includes a hockey rink, tennis courts, gazebo, basketball courts, covered playground, picnic tables, football/soccer fields, baseball/softball fields.
Hampton Inn & Suites Ft. Lauderdale West-Sawgrass is a well liked local hotel off the Sawgrass Expressway. This modern hotel is four miles from both the BB&T Center, home of the Florida Panthers hockey team, and Sawgrass Mills shopping mall. Tamarac is home to half a dozen country clubs and golf courses including Sabal Palm Golf course, a pleasant little semi-private course built on flat ground. The course is well bunkered and has a number of ponds.
Tamarac continues to grow as a vibrant and diverse community, offering a balance between residential tranquility and recreational opportunities. The city’s location provides easy access to major highways, making it convenient for commuters and visitors to explore nearby attractions like Fort Lauderdale’s beaches and the Everglades. Additionally, Tamarac hosts various community events throughout the year, such as cultural festivals, holiday celebrations, and family-friendly gatherings, fostering a strong sense of community among its residents. With its excellent amenities, diverse population, and commitment to quality of life, Tamarac is an appealing destination for families, retirees, and professionals alike.
