Media Advisory Header
For Immediate Release:
July 19, 2011

Media Contact:
Edith Torres
[email protected]
305-755-7862

Conchita Ruiz-Topinka
[email protected]
305-671-7306



Miami-Dade Parks summer campers start the day with morning mile program sponsored by AvMed

 


(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- 
Thanks to AvMed Health Plans, summer campers at 20 county parks will start the day with a morning run as part of the Morning Mile Program, a fitness program that equips schools and parks with materials and guidance to successfully incorporate a morning running program into their curricula.  Miami-Dade Parks partnered with AvMed Health Plans to incorporate the Morning Mile Program into its already successful Fit-to-Play, Green-it-Up summer camp program which provides children with a physical fitness, nutrition, and overall wellness program for kids ages 6-14.

To inaugurate the program in the North District of the Parks system, there will be an opening ceremony on Wednesday, July 20, at 10:30 a.m., at Country Village Park with Commissioner Barbara Jordan, Parks Assistant Director Frank Faragalli, AvMed Health Plans Director of Client Service Pat Nelson, and summer campers from Country Village Park and other participating parks.  The event will start with a one-mile run/walk on the field with the children and invited dignitaries, followed by a few words from each of the guests.  Country Village Park is located at 6550 NW 188 Terrace, Miami, FL.

The 20 participating parks include Arcola Park, Arcola Lakes Park, Cinco de Mayo Park, Continental Park, Country Village Park, Deerwood-Bonita Lakes Park, Goulds Park, Hammocks Community Park, Highland Oaks Park, Martin Luther King Park, North Glade Park, North Trail Park, Raices at Miller Drive Park, Ruben Dario Park, South Dade Park, Sgt. Joe Delancy Park, Tamiami Park, Tropical Estates Park, Westwind Lakes Park, and Disability Services at Westwind Lakes Park (this program is for children with disabilities). 

Developed by Fitzness International in Gainesville, FL, the Morning Mile program provides participating schools or parks with a program guidebook and everything they need to bring the exercise program to their students.  The program has been so successful that venues around Florida are requesting information so they can implement the program.  A grant from AvMed provided the funding for the Morning Mile starter kits, which give parks the instructions and materials to start the program. To learn more about the program, visit www.MorningMile.com.

An inaugural ceremony was held last week at Westwind Lakes Park with AvMed President and COO Ed Hannum, Chairman Joe Martinez, and Parks Director Jack Kardys.


 
Who: Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan, AvMed Health Plans Director of Client Service Pat Nelson, Miami-Dade Parks Assistant Director Frank Faragalli, and Miami-Dade Parks summer campers

What:Morning Mile Program Opening Ceremony and Run

When: June 20, 2011, 10:30 a.m.

Where:Country Village Park
6550 NW 188 Terrace
Miami, FL

Why:


 

# # #

 

PARK AND RECREATION
Hickman Building
275 N.-W 2nd Street, 5th Floor Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 755-7800