Parks & Recreation

NRPA National Gold Medal and R.O.S.E. Awards

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), has announced their selection of the Miami-Dade Park & Recreation Department as a finalist for the 2011 National Gold Medal Awards for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.  The Department has won the National Gold Medal Award three previous times, in 1979, 1987 and 1993.  Learn more.

2010 Recognition of Significant Efforts (R.O.S.E.) - The R.O.S.E. award recognizes individuals who have "gone the extra mile" to advance parks and recreation in their communities. Although this award is presented to an individual, MDPR Director Jack Kardys stated, "I am humbled by this award and it would not have been possible were it not for the hard work and dedication exemplified by every Miami-Dade Park & Recreation staffer on a daily basis.  This award belongs to them as much as it does to me."

FRPA Outstanding Agency Awards

The Florida Recreation & Park Association (FRPA) has twice honored The Miami-Dade Park & Recreation Department with its Outstanding Agency Award (2006, 2009), recognizing excellence in the following categories: Parks development and/or recognition; recreation programming, including inclusion efforts; aquatics and athletics programming; administration and management; leisure and cultural arts; cultural diversity; fitness and wellness activities; promotion of programs and the benefits to your community; long and short range planning; staff training and development; environmental education; and citizen involvement through advisory boards, volunteer programs, etc.

2009 Governor's Sterling Award

Parks received the 2009 Governor's Sterling Award. The Award, presented by Governor Charlie Crist and the Florida Sterling Council, recognizes organizations and businesses in Florida that have successfully achieved performance excellence within their management and operations. Miami-Dade County's Park and Recreation Department is the first park and recreation agency in the state of Florida to receive the Governor's Sterling Award, the state's equivalent of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Award.

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2010 The Children's Trust Champions for Children Award

The Children's Trust announced Daryl Miller, Leisure Lake Park Manager for the Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department, a recipient of their 2010 Champions for Children Award for Excellence in Direct Service for Children and Families at their awards ceremony on November 19, 2010 at Jungle Island in Miami.

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Miami-Dade Parks Receives Coveted 2011 FLASLA Design Award

The Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (FLASLA) has bestowed its 2011 Professional Design Award of Honor to the Miami-Dade Park & Recreation Department, in the category of Planning and Analysis, for its Miami-Dade County Trail Design Guidelines and Benefits Study This study provides standards and guidelines for County trails and greenways.  In addition, this work establishes a methodology to analyze the benefits of trails such as vehicle trip reduction, increase in accessibility, reduction in pollution, effects on property values and job creation.

"We are very proud to have been selected for this prestigious award," said Miami-Dade Parks Director Jack Kardys. "This recognition is a validation of our tireless efforts to provide quality trails and greenways throughout Miami-Dade County." 

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2010 AZA Accreditation for Zoo Miami (April 2010)

Zoo Miami has once again received accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA).  This prestigious award is granted only to zoos and aquariums throughout the world that have met a rigorous number of criteria and standards set forth by AZA. This marks the sixth time the Zoo has received the award, since its first reception in 1984.  The previous AZA accreditation was received in 2005.

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SEFLIN Award

Parks was awarded the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN) Innovation Award for exemplary work with the development of its Parks and Open Space Systems Master Plan and its partnership effort with Miami-Dade Public Library System to make park and library facilities more accessible to residents. 

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2009 National Association of County Organizations

2009 National Association of County Organizations (NACO) Achievement Awards which recognize innovative county government programs that better serve residents.

• Award presented to The Deering Estate at Cutler-Living Classroom for raising awareness of community environmental issues.
• Award presented The Deering Estate at Cutler-Artist Village for creating a hub for collaborative arts programs.
• Award presented to the Paralympic Partners for promoting sports and recreation services for persons with disabilities.
• Parks and Recreation Improving the Delivery of Excellence (P.R.I.D.E) for promoting quality, efficient, and responsive management and administration.

2009 National Association of County Information Officers (NACIO) Awards of Excellence

• Superior Award Presented to Gabriel Reyes and Ruben Perez in the Category of Brochures/Multiple-Page Booklets for EcoAdventures Naturalist Tours Brochure.
• Meritorious Award Presented to Edith Torres and Ruben Perez in the Category of Special Projects for Miami-Dade Parks' Ribfest 2008.
• Meritorious Award Presented to Ruben Perez in the Category of Brochures/Multiple-Page Booklets for 2008 Great Park Summit.
• Meritorious Award Presented to Ruben Perez in the Category of Graphic Design for EcoAdventures Logo.
• Meritorious Award Presented to Edith Torres as Public Information Officer and Ruben Perez as Graphic Designer in the Category of Special Projects for Miami-Dade Parks' Ribfest 2008.
• Meritorious Award Presented to Edith Torres, Public Information Officer, for Ives Estate Park Dedication.
  • Superior Award Presented to Peter Dooling in the Category of Photography Series for Miami-Dade Ribfest 2008.
  • Best in Show Award Presented to Peter Dooling in the Category of Photography Series for Miami-Dade Ribfest 2008.

2009 Miscellaneous

• The 2009 jury of Communication Arts Magazine has selected Peter Dooling's "Miami-Dade Parks Jazz Ensemble - Portraits" to appear in the Photography Annual 50, September/October 2009 issue.
• 2009 Visitor Industry Award by the Beacon Council recognizing the outstanding contributions to the local economy in the areas of job creation, business expansion, corporate citizenship, and leadership - Zoo Miami
• South Florida Parenting Magazine's  Hall of Fame Winner for the 2009 Kids Crown Award - Zoo Miami

2009 Florida Recreation and Park Association Awards

• Media Excellence Award (Print Category - Magazines) presented to Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation "Parklife"

"Best of" Awards

• The New Times' Best Public Park - Arch Creek
• The New Times' Best Place for a Second Date - Fairchild Tropical and Botanic Garden
• The New Times' Best Picnic Spot - Black Point Marina
• The Miami Herald's Best of South Florida: Readers' Choice for South Florida's Finest, Best Historical Attractions - Vizcaya Museum & Gardens and The Deering Estate at Cutler, first and second place respectively
• The Miami Herald's Best of South Florida: Readers' Choice for South Florida's Finest, Best Outdoor Attraction and Best with Kids - Zoo Miami