Lazy River rides that replace roads and get Boca residents to wherever they need to go? Sure! It sounds fun. Doesn’t it?
If you’re looking for the lazy river in Boca today you’re probably looking for the Boca Resort. They just added a new lazy river to their pool area. This article is about turning the entire city into a giant lazy river connected municipality.
Would any city ever do this? Could any city ever replace a portion of its roads and create a practical lazy river infrastructure? If any city could do it, it’s likely it’s Boca.
This idea originally came from a Boca kid named Jonathan Kolbe in some local political group on Facebook that I’m likely blocked from now. I’ll give him credit for getting me excited about the idea. Here are some AI generated images that tap into the soulful imagination of machines to help us envision the concept.
What’s important to point out, how this would be different from what’s happening in the Intracoastal is:
the water would be treated, clarified and sterilized in a system engineered to minimize water loss
vehicles allowed in the water cannot have heads, combustion motors or carry business to business shipping
there would be no giant fish like hammerhead sharks (I seen em) and larger unidentified sea-monster type beasts (I seen it too) but alligators would probably need to be removed from time to time
Residents and visitors would use the lazy river infrastructure to come and go from their single family homes, townhomes and condos.
Bridges and walkways cross over riverways.
An autonomous water taxi heading to pick up a new passenger.
Sunset on a westbouund lazy riverway.
New styles of architecture will be designed for ultra-low perspective viewing.
Kids love to paddle, kick and splash in an effort to go faster.
A lone float breaks free but will be rounded up by the end of the day.
It’s easier to keep it real in this deal.
A beautiful view from your float as you are carried down the river.
Everyone loves straight-aways where the current s are strong.
A float with a motor dares to oppose the flow.
Getting interiors as close to the river as possible is popular in new homes.
A fancier electric watercraft.
Just let the current pull you along.
Getting lost in new neighborhoods won’t just be fun – it will be unavoidable. Just be cool about it.
Some existing canals get converted.
Riverfront residence takes on a new meaning.
Some kids commuting to school.
Aesthetically designed piping helps move the high pressure flows necessary .
A school pickup.
Riverway designs are fun below water and above.
Literally bumping into friends a lot.
Wouldn’t we all be better people if we had this?
Water taxis and ferries are convenient ways that people keep their feet dry.
Lazy riverways would pass under existing roads in certain places.
Traditional boats will be replaced with all-electric newer models. This is a ferry.
Bumpers help in areas where the current is fast and tubes need protection.
Underwater lighting highlights the beauty of homes on the lazy river.
Separate directions with separate currents are necessary.
Only electric boats are tolerated – but cost lots to license.
Some people just float around all day pretending they’re running errands.
The only thing to fish for will be smiles.
Boca Raton:: A City Within a Lazy River
A real estate agent shows a new couple some homes.
A serene riverway through a neighborhood west of the Turnpike
You can float here, and go there.
The river would be close enough to everyone’s homes that walking barefoot to it is no problem.
Tiny motors that attach to floats become very popular.
Waterproof bags, accessories and skin products will be more in demand.
Newer homes leave big areas on the ground floor to store floats and rafts.
Floats parked waiting for their owners to return.
An Intra-Intracoastal Waterway for tubes and swimmers
Park your car and jump in!
People hang on tight when the water jets fast.
Sometimes a part of the river gets roped off to make a chill zone.
Floating around town with your friend is almost as easy as staying home.
Jaw dropping opulence in art and architecture will be visible in whole new ways.
City clarification plants keep the water clean with the use of minimum chlorination.
LED lights on the bottom of floats add a cool effect.
Nobody can hide in their cars, so looking fabulous is necessary.
Some people make out on floats – that gets the old folks upset.
Who’s driving? Nobody! It’s awesome.
A kayaker getting to work.
Shopping would be a little different – so would parking – if people used lazy rivers instead of roads in Boca.
You better have a patch kit if your vinyl ain’t thicc.
For some people floating is a way of life.
Local businesses, particularly hotels, devise clever ways for their guests to enter and exit the lazy rivers.
A lone float waits patiently outside a convenience store while its owner gets some sunscreen.
Floating through the mall on a Sunday afternoon.
Places where the rivers begin will be referred to as the river heads, like springs, but artificial.
You better bring a cool hat because you won’t want to get out of the river.
You don’t really need a float to travel along nor does the float need to be a tube.
Shiny tubes and glowing tubes will be popular.
Old guys who don’t want to get wet up to their shorts don’t have to.
Waterlifts are like reverse waterfalls and propel tubes and riders upwards.
A mom heads out to pick up her kid from school and then to Publix.
Friends going out to lunch together in Boca.
Float stores are all over the place.
Students in an FAU Orientation Day event.
Turning this corner, the smell of pizza is overwhelming.
This place is known for its chunky smoothies.
Some stores take advantage of the spots where people float the most.
Float on up for a hot dog. Yum!
Bring on the fancy waterfall elements. We’re ready.
People won’t go to amusement parks any more. They’ll just spend all their money here.
Look at that gold float! You want one!
New inland destinations will gain new life and new value on the tax rolls.
There was an ice cream place down this way.
Here we reach the end of a lazy river, a cul-de-sac of sorts.
The flows are very calm inside the mall compared to outside.
Vend-o-mats become more and more popular along lazy riverways.
This is where we are going. Kick kick kick!
Would you support the conversion of roads to lazy rivers if the issue comes up for a vote? Leave a comment below.
