Coral Springs parks improve safety with the installation of a new high-tech lightning detection system aimed at protecting residents during storms
Coral Springs, Florida – Whether it’s kids kicking a soccer ball, families enjoying a picnic, or swimmers doing laps in the pool, Coral Springs residents can now enjoy their parks with an extra layer of protection when Florida’s unpredictable storms appear. The City of Coral Springs has officially completed the installation of a state-of-the-art lightning detection system at several key public locations, replacing the previous system with a more advanced and user-friendly option.
The newly installed Perry Weather system replaces the aging Thorguard units that had been in place for years. With Florida ranking among the top states for lightning strikes each year, city officials said this upgrade was long overdue. The Perry Weather system offers real-time monitoring and immediate alerts, helping protect people from dangerous conditions during outdoor activities.
When lightning is detected nearby, the system activates an unmistakable air horn-like sound. A single loud blast serves as a warning, signaling that lightning is close and all individuals should immediately leave open areas and seek shelter. Once the danger has passed, three distinct blasts are sounded to inform everyone that it is safe to return.
“Our goal is to provide residents with safe, accessible parks while also making sure they’re protected when weather becomes dangerous,” a city official said. “This new system gives us a reliable way to notify people quickly and effectively, especially when every second counts.”
In addition to the audible warnings, each park equipped with the new technology now features a QR code prominently displayed. When scanned, the code directs visitors to a real-time widget on the park’s official webpage, allowing anyone to check the lightning status from their smartphone. This offers extra peace of mind for those arriving at the park or deciding whether to stay during unpredictable skies.
The Perry Weather system is now operational at the following locations:
• Coral Springs Aquatic Complex
• Betti Stradling Park
• Cypress Park
• Forest Hills Park
• Mullins Park (North & South)
• North Community Park
• Riverside Park
• Sportsplex
• Turtle Run Park
• City Hall grounds
While these locations now benefit from the advanced system, other parks in the area have not yet been upgraded. For those areas, officials are urging the public to stick to the well-known 30/30 lightning safety rule — if you hear thunder within 30 seconds of a lightning flash, seek shelter immediately and remain indoors or in a vehicle for at least 30 minutes after the last sign of lightning or thunder.
Residents are also reminded to follow essential lightning safety tips shared by the city:
• Take shelter inside a building or a fully enclosed vehicle with the windows shut.
• Stay away from pools, lakes, and all bodies of water.
• Never take cover under a tree, especially during lightning storms.
• Avoid tall objects like fences and light poles.
• Refrain from touching metal objects such as bicycles, umbrellas, or sports equipment.
With these new tools in place, Coral Springs is demonstrating its ongoing commitment to public safety. Whether residents are at play or at work, they can now do so with an added level of confidence, knowing the city is actively working to protect them from sudden weather hazards.
For updates and more information, residents are encouraged to visit the official Coral Springs website and check individual park pages for lightning safety tools and resources.
