County Partners With Loggerhead Marinelife Center To Prohibit Balloons At Beachfront Parks

JUPITER, FL – August 25, 2017 – In an effort to promote the safety and protection of sea turtles, Loggerhead Marinelife Center and Palm Beach County have partnered to prohibit the use of balloons at the following county-operated beachfront parks effective September 1, 2017:

• Carlin Park, Jupiter
• DuBois Park, Jupiter
• Gulfstream Park, Gulfstream
• Juno Beach Park, Juno Beach
• Jupiter Beach Park, Jupiter
• Loggerhead Park, Juno Beach
• Ocean Cay Park, Jupiter
• Ocean Inlet Park, Ocean Ridge
• Ocean Reef Park, Riviera Beach
• Peanut Island Park, Riviera Beach
• South Inlet Park, Boca Raton

Deflated balloons resemble jellyfish, a common prey item for sea turtles. At Loggerhead Marinelife Center, hospital staff regularly treat turtles that have eaten balloons. 

"We're so grateful to partner with Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation on the Balloon Ban project," said Tommy Cutt, LMC's chief conservation officer. "Ending the use of balloons at these beachfront parks will help protect sea turtles and other coastal wildlife, as well as provide clean, beautiful parks for locals and thousands of out-of-county guests who visit them every year."

The mission of the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department is to make the quality of life for Palm Beach County residents and visitors better by providing diverse, safe and affordable recreation services, welcoming parks, and enriching social and cultural experiences. We achieve this by promoting wellness, fostering environmental stewardship, contributing economic value, and by improving our community every day for this and future generations.

About Loggerhead Marinelife Center:

Loggerhead Marinelife Center is a non-profit sea turtle hospital that promotes conservation of ocean ecosystems with a focus on threatened and endangered sea turtles. The Center features an on-site campus hospital, research laboratory, educational exhibits and aquariums, and also operates the Juno Beach Pier, a pier that hosts world-class fishing and sightseeing. Situated on one of the world’s most important sea turtle nesting beaches, Loggerhead Marinelife Center is open daily and hosts over 300,000 guests free-of-charge each year. For more information, visit www.marinelife.org or call (561) 627-8280.