What to Know
- Parkland will hold a 'March for Our Lives' event following the shooting tragedy in which 17 people, mostly teenage students, were killed.
- The city is anticipating a lot of participation, so it has advised both residents and those visiting to take proper measures.
- Parking is limited to Parkland residents. Those visiting are asked to use a shuttle or to be dropped off.
The City of Parkland is asking those who wish to participate in its "March for Our Lives" event to be dropped off or to take a shuttle due to limited parking and anticipated heavy traffic.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to join together in Parkland to protest gun violence and to call for gun reform.
The event is being organized by the students of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School with the support of the Everytown for Gun Safety nonprofit organization.
The event on Saturday, which will include a 2-mile march, will start at 10 a.m. and will end at 2 p.m.
The march will begin at the southwest end of Pine Trails Park, located at 10555 Trails End Boulevard in Parkland.
Marchers will travel along Pine Island Road/Coral Ridge Drive, down to the school where 17 people were shot dead by a gunman on Feb. 14, and then back up to the park.
Local
The Parkland school tragedy generated a surge of support for gun reform, particularly from shooting survivors who have been vocal advocates in the #NeverAgain movement.
Fred Guttenberg, the father of Jamie, who was killed in the shooting, hopes that the march will lead to change.
"I am hopeful it is going to be a tipping point to cause legislators who refuse to acknowledge where the bulk of this country is, to get up and to make some positive change, or recognize they will be fired," Guttenberg said.
"March for Our Lives" events will be held globally.
For the Parkland march, the city is asking those who are not residents to take free shuttles to the event from Lockhart Stadium, located at 1350 Northwest 55th Street in Fort Lauderdale, or Florida Atlantic University's parking lot, located at 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton.
The shuttles will begin rolling out at 7 a.m. and the last scheduled bus to the event is departing at 10 a.m. Buses after the event can be taken from the same location as the drop-off.
There will be limited parking available for Parkland residents.
People being dropped off must enter from the east using Trails End Boulevard to the Pine Trails Park entrance.
Bags or backpacks will not be allowed. Golf carts are prohibited in the area. The city is urging participates to wear sunblock, wear comfortable shoes and to stay hydrated. Food trucks will be at the event.
For Parkland residents, garbage collection will be suspended on Saturday due to traffic.
Numerous roads will be closed, starting at 6 a.m., in the area:
• Pine Island Road from Westview Drive to Nob Hill Road.
• Trails End Boulevard from Pine Island Road to just east of Pine Trails Park.
• Holmberg Road from the Westglades Middle School roundabout to just east of Pine Island Road.
