Frenchman's Creek Beach and Country Club facts for kids

Frenchman's Creek Beach and Country Club is a special community in Palm Beach County, Florida. It's a private place where only people who live there can be members. This community covers about 700 acres (2.8 square kilometers) of land.

It has 660 beautiful homes, including large estate homes, villas, patio homes, and townhomes. Many homes are on canals, which are like small rivers. This allows people to enjoy boating and yachting. Some homes even have access to the water near a public marina.

The Story Behind Frenchman's Creek

The story of Frenchman's Creek began in 1935. The Hoyt family bought a large piece of land in Florida. By the 1940s, they owned most of this area. Back then, it was known as Paradise Port.

How the Creek Got Its Name

In the late 1940s, government surveyors were working in the area. They found a small wooden sign on a tiny creek. One of the Hoyt children, Billy Hoyt, had put it there. The children had named the creek after their mother's favorite book, Frenchman's Creek by Daphne du Maurier. This informal name became official. Today, the small waterway still runs through the community and connects to the nearby marina.

Developing the Community

In 1977, two developers, Burt Haft and Jack Gaines, bought 1,400 acres (5.7 square kilometers) of land. This land used to belong to the Hoyt family. They bought it from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for $61 million. This purchase included two public golf courses.

Creating Frenchman's Creek

The southern part of the land, about 700 acres (2.8 square kilometers), became Frenchman's Creek. The other 700 acres to the north were sold. They are now home to other golf communities. The county had approved plans for many homes, but the developers decided to build far fewer. They built only 600 homesites to keep the community less crowded. In 1986, more land was bought in Juno Beach. This is where the private Beach Club was built, right next to the Atlantic Ocean.

Amazing Features and Activities

Frenchman's Creek offers many fantastic facilities for its residents. It has a private Beach Club right on the ocean. This is a great place to relax by the sea.

Sports and Recreation

For sports lovers, there are two 18-hole golf courses. There are also 17 tennis courts for playing tennis. If you enjoy being on the water, there's deepwater anchorage for boating and yachting.

Clubhouse and Spa

The community also has a large clubhouse, which is about 70,000 square feet (6,500 square meters). It's a central spot for social events. There's also a separate fitness and spa facility. This building is 11,000 square feet (1,000 square meters) and is just for members to use.

Membership Information

Membership at Frenchman's Creek is only for the people who live in the community's 606 homes. This means it's a very private club.

Member Ownership

The members themselves own and run Frenchman's Creek. This means each member is a part-owner of the common areas, the club, and all its facilities. Membership is for the whole family. It includes golf, tennis, and many other activities for everyone in the immediate family.

Membership Requirements

If you live in the community, becoming a member of the country club is required. Members pay an Equity Fee when they join. Part of this fee can be refunded later. The non-refundable part helps support the club's future projects. Members also pay annual club dues and maintenance fees. These fees help cover the yearly costs of running the community.

Frenchman’s Creek is located at 13495 Tournament Drive, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410.