Southwest Ranches, located on the eastern edge of the Florida Everglades, 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Fort Lauderdale, is Broward County's 30th incorporated place, having incorporated in the year 2000 to avoid annexation by the city of Pembroke Pines and to preserve its semi-rural lifestyle. Because the area has many horse ranches and is located in the southwestern part of Broward County, residents chose "Southwest Ranches" over many other potential town names. The population as of the 2010 census was 7,345. The town includes the 2000 U.S. Census census-designated places of Country Estates, Green Meadow, Ivanhoe Estates, Rolling Oaks, and Sunshine Ranches. Other areas recently added to the town include Landmark Ranch Estates and Sterling Ranch Estates.
To support its rural-equestrian lifestyle, the town has designated and developed dozens of miles of greenways (multi-use trails).
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The area is primarily residential, with most lots of 1 acre (0.40 ha) or more. There are some small farms and equestrian ranches. The town has laws that keep homes from being built on lots of less than 1 acre. They also generally stop streetlights and sidewalks from being built, in order to conserve and keep the town rural. The town contracts with the Broward County Sheriff's Office to provide police, fire and EMS services.[1]
The Florida Department of Corrections operates the Region IV Correctional Facility Office on the grounds of Broward Correctional Institution in the former Country Estates CDP and in Southwest Ranches.[2][3][4] The Broward prison formerly housed the female death row.[5] In February 2003 the female death row moved to the Lowell Annex.[3]
Southwest Ranches’ charter defines the governing body as a council with five members: a mayor and four council members. The mayor is elected at-large from the electorate of the town, and the council members are also elected at-large but represent districts in which they must reside. The mayoral role is largely ceremonial with no more power than any council member.
Other charter positions serving Southwest Ranches include the Town Administrator, Financial Administrator and Town Clerk.
The town's present mayor and council are:
The town's first council was:
To support its rural-equestrian lifestyle, the town has designated and developed dozens of miles of greenways, multi-use trails. On most days, people can be seen riding horses, bicycles or walking the trails that thread throughout the town. Since incorporation, the town has also acquire seven open-space parks within its borders. These are Trailside Park, Sunshine Ranches Equestrian Park, Southwest Meadows Sanctuary, Southwest Meadows Sanctuary/Calusa Corners, Rolling Oaks Passive Park. Country Estates Fishing Hole and Frontier Trails. To date only Sunshine Ranches Equestrian Park has been developed. [6] Sunshine Ranches Equestrian Park includes a schooling ring, a show ring and the Equestrian Oasis, which is an artful installation primarily used to provide drinking water for horses. [7]
River Alexander, Actor
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