Miami-Dade County - Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces

Miami-Dade County Parks celebrates Park and Recreation Month with a special proclamation, special offers and activities for all

Since 1985, America has celebrated July as the nation's official Park and Recreation Month. This summer, the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Department, with its 260 parks throughout the County, is inviting residents and visitors to join it in the July celebration. Month-long special offers, events, recreational activities, and a sweepstakes are being offered to residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy.

To kick off Park and Recreation Month, Miami-Dade County Parks will join Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez and the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) for a presentation of the Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Month proclamation on Tuesday, July 2, at the Stephen P. Clark Center (BCC Chambers), located at 111 Northwest 1st Street Miami, FL 33128.

"What better time than now to visit our Miami-Dade County parks and experience the many diverse recreational amenities that can help all of us live happier and healthier lives," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. "I encourage everyone to take part in all the fun events happening at these first-class park facilities in the month of July."

"Summer is the perfect time for the community to come and enjoy our parks," said Miami-Dade Parks Director Jack Kardys. "Parks and recreational activities enrich the lives of residents and visitors, as well as add value to the community's homes and neighborhoods."

Miami-Dade County Parks is offering these family-friendly special events and activities for Park and Recreation Month in July:

JULY 1-28

"SHOW YOUR PARK LOVE" WINGFLYER BICYCLE SWEEPSTAKES, courtesy of Mack Cycle & Fitness
Registration at www.facebook.com/miamidadeparks
Winner Drawn July 31, 2013

JULY 4

"Tropical Nights" FREE Concert featuring the Klass Band -- sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Oak Grove Park, 690 NE 159th Street, Miami.
Call: 305.944.8670
Cost: Free!

Independence Day Fireworks Display -- FREE
Time: 9:00 p.m.
Location: Black Point Marina, 24775 SW 87th Avenue, Miami.
Call: 305-258-4092
Cost: Free!

JULY 4-7

$5 Days at Zoo Miami
Time: Zoo hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (Entrance gates/ticket booths close at 4:00 p.m.)
Location: Zoo Miami, 12400 SW 152nd Street, Miami.
Call: 305-251-0400
Cost: Special discounted rate of $5

JULY 13

Coral Gables Waterway Canoe Adventure
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Departs from the AD Barnes Park Nature Center, 3401 SW 72 Avenue, Miami.
Cost: $33/person
Advance reservations required, call: 305-365-3018
Visit: www.miamidade.gov/ecoadventures/

JULY 15

William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet (TANDEM THEATRE PROJECT)
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72nd Avenue, Miami.
Cost: $20/adults; $10/ children ages 12 and under.
Call: 305-235-1668
Visit: www.deeringestate.org

JULY 20

Deering Estate's Fee-Free Play Day
Time: Estate hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (No entry after 4:00 p.m.)
Location: Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72nd Avenue, Miami.
Cost: Free!
Call: 305-235-1668
Visit: www.deeringestate.org

JULY 22

Crandon Park Sunset and Moonlight Kayak Adventure
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Departs from the Crandon Park Nature Center, 6767 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne.

Advance reservations required, call: 305-365-3018
Cost: $40/person.
Visit: www.miamidade.gov/ecoadventures/

JULY 27

Summer Cabaret Concert Series Featuring Wendy Pedersen/Jim Gasior
Time: Main Gate opens at 7:00 p.m./Concert starts at 8:00 p.m.
Location: Deering Estate at Cutler, 16701 SW 72nd Avenue, Miami.
Cost: $20/person
Call: 305-235-1668, Ext. 233
Visit: www.deeringestate.org

Beekeeping Workshop
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Fruit & Spice Park, 24801 S.W. 187th Avenue, Homestead
Cost: $25/person
A veil and protective clothing is required as students will be exposed to live honey bees.
Call: 305-247-5727
Visit: www.fruitandspicepark.org

About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
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. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world. Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.

Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department's efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County's world-class parks system for residents and visitors. Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities. For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.miamidade.gov/parks_foundation.

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