Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez will announce expanded community Wi-Fi access at 14 neighborhood parks
Unique Public-Private Partnership with AT&T and South Florida Digital Alliance Will Provide Residents of All Ages Internet Connectivity, Greater Access to Computers, and Educational Technology Training
(MIAMI, August 8, 2013) — Mayor Gimenez will launch an initiative focused on expanding community Wi-Fi access and kick off the grand opening of Miami-Dade County’s new park-based Technology Learning Centers, aimed at providing free community access to computers, Wi-Fi and technology training for both youth and adults. The launch will take place on Friday, August 9, at 10:00 A.M. at Westwind Lakes Park, located at 6805 SW 152 Avenue, Miami.
Sponsored by the South Florida Digital Alliance and with the support of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, the Miami-Dade Public Library System and the Information Technology Department, the Technology Learning Centers will provide access to computers which will link to the Miami-Dade Public Library System’s Portal, the South Florida Digital Alliance Portal and the Miami-Dade Public Schools Portal. Functioning as convenient virtual resource centers, the first three of 11 sites will open August 9, 2013, and the remaining centers will open over the next few months. Each location will offer Wi-Fi access, How-To training sessions, educational programs, and after-school programs for kids. The first three Technology Learning Centers to open will be located at the following Miami-Dade County parks: Goulds Park, Olinda Park and Westwind Lakes Park. Miami-Dade County is proud to announce that its business partner AT&T is sponsoring broadband wireless services at no cost to each of the 11 Technology Learning Centers.
Additionally, the Miami-Dade Public Library System will extend its Wi-Fi service from 3 libraries to Wi-Fi hotspots in adjacent parks. These include Kendale Lakes Library (adjacent to Olympic Park), Kendall Library (adjacent to Cherry Grove Park) and West Dade Regional Library (adjacent to Francisco Human Rights Park). Residents will be encouraged to bring their own devices to access the free community Wi-Fi services.
The other eight Technology Learning Centers to be rolled out in the coming weeks will be located at these Miami-Dade County parks: Country Village Park, Deerwood Bonita Lakes Park, Gwen Cherry Park, Ruben Dario Park, West Perrine Park, South Dade Park, Highland Oaks Park, and Arcola Lakes Park.
The public is invited to join Mayor Gimenez, County Commissioners, and Program Sponsors at the Westwind Lakes Park kick-off event on August 9, which will include a dedication ceremony.
About the Miami-Dade County Information Technology Department:
As part of its master plan, Miami-Dade County’s Information Technology Department is offering free Wi-Fi services at major Miami-Dade County facilities, including select Miami-Dade County parks. The initiative involves upgrading communication infrastructure to offer Wi-Fi service—“hot spots”—in high demand areas utilized by Miami-Dade County residents.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
The 11 new technology learning centers are one more example of the implementation of the vision and principles of the Parks & Open Space System Master Plan, designed to create greater connectivity between residents and cultural-learning centers, communities, parks, and natural areas. Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,825 acres of land.