Approximately 50 urban planners from various municipalities throughout the County met today at the University of Miami to learn about and identify collaboration opportunities in the second "People and Places Partnership Workshop" lead by Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department.

"While the Open Space Master Plan is a long-term endeavor, the time is now to get all municipalities on board working in synchronicity," said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez. "We are laying the groundwork today not only for a better quality of life but for a more attractive community where people will want to live and businesses will want to invest."

The County's Park and Open Space Master Plan (OSMP), was completed and presented in 2008 at the Great Park Summit. The OSMP vision for Miami-Dade County provides a roadmap to develop a more sustainable community by using a comprehensive and coordinated model park system as its engine. Great parks, public spaces, natural and cultural places, greenways, trails and streets will connect to provide residents and visitors with the experience of a world class park system at their doorstep.

"We in Coral Gables treasure parks and civic landmarks and connecting people with places.  The Partnership Workshop held today is a step forward in creating the partnerships necessary to implement the vision of sustainability in the County as a whole," said Coral Gables Mayor Don Slesnick. "We are glad to be part of this effort and we look forward to the opportunity to partner and collaborate with other municipalities and the County to bring to fruition the vision of a more beautiful and sustainable community."

To date, 23 municipalities have been invited to participate in these workshops to learn and incorporate the principles of the Open Space Master Plan. The Parks Department held two workshops, which have launched several pilot projects. A third workshop takes place next Wednesday, October 14th, at Florida International University, FIU Stadium, Stadium Club Room, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami. This third and final workshop will focus on the western corridor of the County.

Some of the pilot projects resulting from these workshops now in the works include the City of Sunny Isles roadway improvement project that connects Haulover Park to the Don Sofer Trail in the City of Aventura; and, the development of a greenway trail connecting Oleta River State Park project to FIU's Biscayne Bay Campus and the City of North Miami's Arch Creek Trail. All the pilot projects, no matter how small, contribute toward achieving the vision of the Open Space Master Plan.

To learn more about the Open Space Master Plan go to www.miamidade.gov/parks.  Plan renderings are available to media upon request.