Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez watches as Bill Talbert, President of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau and Chairman of Mayor’s Wireless Steering Committee, surfs the internet at Tropical Park.  The event coincided with the launch of the Miami-Dade Wireless Pilot Project, on February 1st, 2008, at Tropical Park.  District 10 Commissioner, Sen. Javier Souto, also attended the launch.

Photo (from left to right)- Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez, Miami-Dade Parks and Recreation Director Jack Kardys (back), Miami-Dade Enterprise Technology Services Assistant Director Angel Petisco; and Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau President Bill Talbert on the laptop.  

For six months, free wireless service, sponsored by Nortel, will be available at Tropical Park.

An observer in the crowd enjoys the wireless connection on her Sony Playstation Portable.

In the coming weeks, three additional Miami-Dade County Regional Parks, with the assistance of additional vendors, will begin to offer free wireless service.  They include Tamiami Park (Motorola), Goulds Park (Wialan) and Amelia Earhart Park (Cisco). 

“I am thrilled at the possibilities that this public-private partnership is going to bring to the people of Miami-Dade County,” Mayor Alvarez said.  “This free service allows laptop users, especially our local students and families, the opportunity to learn, work and play in the great outdoors.”