Gilbert-had-vision-for-Boca
October 7th, 2008
By Dale M. King
CITY EDITOR
Gordon Gilbert was a humble, quiet man from America’s Midwest (Ohio, specifically) when he arrived in Boca Raton in 1965.
But in the four decades since, he’s had a hand in some pretty dynamic projects – and has helped Boca live up to its name as a “City Within a Park.”
Gilbert, who came to Boca to take a job as a marine biology teacher at Boca Raton Community High School, wanted to “give something back to the community,” he told the Boca Raton News.
And he has. Working with the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District for 30 years, and as a member of the Boca Parks & Recreation Commission for 34 years (and still going), he helped develop Spanish River Park, Sugar Sand Park, Patch Reef Park, Red Reef Park and his special favorite spot, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.
“Gordon has dedicated his life to education and preservation of the South Florida environment,” Mayor Susan Whelchel said in a proclamation presented at a recent City Council meeting.
Seaside Classroom
Gilbert is perhaps best known for taking his biology class out of the classroom and down to the seashore to see and touch the creatures they were studying.
It was in 1978, he recalled, that he set up shop around the spot where Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is now located.
The center “used to be a volunteer effort” until Gilbert arrived, recalled Bob Langford, executive director of the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Park District.
“After a time, he convinced the School District to let kids from all over the country go,” said Langford.
That’s when interest in Gumbo Limbo skyrocketed. Gilbert himself noted that the property is a hard wood hammock – one worthy of exploration. He began taking visitors through the area, and “Gumbo Limbo, to this day, has the approval to do this,” said Langford.
FAU Arrives
With the arrival of Gilbert’s turtle walks, interest in Gumbo Limbo ramped up. Florida Atlantic University got involved. And because it could get 50-50 matching funds from the state, “we built a big addition in the back,” said Langford.
Gilbert, now 77, a widow with a daughter, a grandchild and three grandchildren, remains a member of the city’s Parks & Recreation board – a post he’s held for 34 years. He sticks to the same credo he had when he arrived in Boca some four decades ago. “Boca Raton has the best parks in the area.”
He said he’s glad – and humbled – when he looks at a park and recalls that he had something to do with its development.
The humility comes naturally, said Langford. “He’s one of those guys that it’s impossible not to like,” he said. “He is the sensible voice of reason. He doesn’t try to advocate for bizarre projects. He is always focusing on projects that make good sense.”
He wants “what’s best for the town,” said Langford.
Retired from teaching, Gilbert said he remains active on the city parks board. He bikes four miles a day, exercises and watches what he eats.
And while he may be one-of-a-kind, Whelchel said in her proclamation that she hopes others will “follow the lead of Gordon Gilbert in contributing time, energy and expertise to the betterment of the city of Boca Raton.”
| 
