Introduction to Margate, Florida
The city of Margate is located in Broward County, Florida. The city is situated about 12 miles northwest of Fort Lauderdale and 40 miles north of Miami.
History of Margate
Founded in the 1950s by Jack Marquese, Margate derived its name as a contraction of the name of its founder combined with the word "gate" (denoting its status as the "gateway" to western Broward County). Margate became a town in 1955 and was incorporated as a city in 1961. Originally planned for a population of 35,000, Margate today has a size more than 50% larger than its planned number and its population is still growing.
Things to do in Margate
Margate's quality of life gets a major boost from its excellent outdoor facilities. The city is home to Calypso Cove, a water park which features three pools and both enclosed and open slides. The zero-depth pool is a beach-entry activity pool equipped with palm trees with tipping coconuts, water-spraying animals and a play area. The lap pool is a six-lane facility usable for lifeguard training as well as swimming lessons and family swimming. The plunge pool provides landing from the water slides. Also included in the facility are two pavilions with picnic tables, three half-court basketball courts and a refurbished and expanded fishing dock. Margate also boasts three challenging golf courses: The Eagle Lakes Golf Course, the Carolina Golf Club and the Oriole Golf and Tennis Club.
Margate hosts a series of year-round events and celebrations for its residents and visitors. Among these are: the "Sounds at Sundown" Free Concert Series (four Sundays from January through April); the Fourth of July Parade, Festivities and Fireworks; the Margate Golf Classic in November; and December's Winter Solstice Celebration. Margate's proximity to the Fort Lauderdale area provides easy access to many area attractions. A small sampling of these includes the following: The Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Museum, Butterfly World in Coconut Creek, Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, Flamingo Gardens in Davie and Hollywood's Anne Kolb Nature Center.
Fans of thoroughbred racing can enjoy lots of it in nearby Hallandale at Gulfstream Park, one of the nation's premiere tracks. Swimming enthusiasts can find plenty of places to practice their sport nearby, and can also learn its history and achievements at the International Swimming Hall of Fame in nearby Fort Lauderdale Beach. Baseball fans visiting Margate in the spring can travel the short distance to Fort Lauderdale to see the Baltimore Orioles play their Spring Training games at Ft. Lauderdale Stadium. Hockey fans can see the best of their sport in nearby Sunrise, host city of the NHL's Florida Panthers. A variety of major-league pro sports action is also available less than an hour away in Miami, home of basketball's Heat (National Basketball Association), Dolphins (National Football League) and Florida Marlins (Major League Baseball).
