Mission Statement
Shipwreck Park is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the creation of an underwater park system establishing artificial reefs, utilizing public art to raise awareness of the need to preserve and conserve our natural coral reef system.
Values (A.C.E)
Art: Creation of unique, transformative and living public art to raise awareness and inspire emotional connections.
Conservation: Deploy host structures that facilitate the natural colonization of marine habitats to protect and conserve our natural marine ecosystems.
Education: To create public awareness about the plight of the marine environment by inspiring support of conservation efforts off our shores.
The Lady Luck has sunk!
FORMERLY KNOW AS THE NEWTOWN CREEK
The Newtown Creek, a 324 foot tanker vessel, has arrived in South Florida and has been sunk on July 23rd, 2016 as an artificial reef 1 ½ miles off Pompano Beach’s shore. This ship is one of the biggest contributions to Florida’s artificial reef system and one of the most easily accessible major dive sites in the nation. The ship is the centerpiece of what will become known as Shipwreck Park, surrounded by 16 other existing wrecks covered with marine life. Shipwreck Park is a unique underwater cultural arts park with rotating underwater art exhibits. The ship includes specific themes, exciting underwater events, artwork and rotating art exhibits to create a unique dive experience for local and international tourists.
This tanker ship which is longer than a football field was sold by the City of New York to The Shipwreck Park, Inc., a private 501 (C)(3) corporation, at a greatly reduced price. Shipwreck Park, Inc. has received sponsorship from the City of Pompano Beach, and the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park, and others (see below) for the purchase, towing, cleanup, installation of artworks, and sinking of the ship. The ship was towed from New York to a facility on the Miami River for cleanup and installation of artwork before the sinking.
Pompano Beach artist Dennis MacDonald was hired to create several fun and unique underwater displays, including a casino theme for the ship deck. The art displays include gigantic dice, great for photo opportunities, as part of the Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park sponsorship.
Latest News
“In the last 30 years, over 50% of the world’s coral reefs have died”-NOAA
“To lose coral reefs is to fundamentally undermine the health of a very large proportion of the human race,” –Ruth Gates Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology
The purpose of Shipwreck Park Pompano is to develop and protect our coral reefs. Our events seek to engage and inform the public through art and
education of the importance of the reefs and ways they can become involved.
