Miami-Dade County - Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces

For Immediate Release:
May 26, 2011

Media Contact:
Laura Phillips
[email protected]
305-755-7842

Miami-Dade Parks Offers Fitness "Outside the Box"

(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- The Miami-Dade Park and Recreation Department (MDPR) has upped the notch when it comes to having fun with fitness, by adding extreme sports and sporty options for residents to enjoy at parks around the County. So if you've had enough of that same ole day-in, day-out boring gym workout, don't sweat it, MDPR will keep you motivated to stay fit with exhilarating activities that get you outside, enjoying the fresh air and amazing landscapes. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Homestead Air Reserve Park is now offering the adrenalin pumping action-adventure sport of Paintball. Whether you're a first-timer or a veteran competitor hooked on that Technicolor crossfire, the professionals who operate the park's Big Shot Paintball Fields, offer a complete paintballing experience for players ages 8 and up, with two outdoor fields equipped with inflatable bunkers for tactical maneuvers, and all-inclusive play packages that provide all the necessary gear, including a mask, paintball pistol, hopper, chest protector, paintballs, and choice of CO2 or pressurized-air tank. Participants also receive basic instruction and safety tips prior to play.

Amelia Earhart Park is an extreme sports hub. There's Mountain Biking that takes you off the beaten path and onto a woodland mountain-bike trail that's 5.5 miles of tracks with challenging slopes and runs. Bike as long as you want; access to the trails is free. Pay only the $6 parking fee per car on weekends. The 91-acre crystal blue lake offers the thrill of flying on water with Wakeboarding, Waterskiing, Knee Boarding and Bare Footing lessons taught by champion coaches of the Miami Wakeboard Cable Complex. Open to novices and the experienced, for kids and adults; all equipment and gear is provided. Fees vary.

There are also Fitness Boot Camps for every fitness level that work out all your muscle groups. Enjoy the workout on your own, with friends, or even with the kids. MDPR offers more than nine different fitness boot camp programs located at Tropical Park, AD Barnes Park, Tamiami Park, Hammocks Community Park, and Kendall Soccer Park.

Experience the shooting sports at the Trail Glades Sport Shooting Range, just minutes from the turnpike at Tamiami Trail and Chrome Ave. The range offers a 35-position, 7-to-50-yard pistol range; a 32 position, 25-to-100-yard rifle range; six trap-and-skeet fields, which include a five-stand operation station; one international skeet field; and 50-yard practical range with 6-to-8 positions. Also offered, are safe shooter classes and range accommodations for law enforcement groups. Fees vary.

Get your Motocross on. Bicycle Motocross Racing (BMX) is thrilling to watch and even more exhilarating to do. At Milton E. Thompson Park, there's a ½-mile-long motocross track with moguls, jumps and turns, and a 15-foot-high bridge jump with tunnel, surrounded by lakes, live oaks, palm trees, and a wetland marsh prairie.

Miami South BMX at Pine Ridge Park is a clay track with steep inclines and banked turns that makes for a challenging course. They will even let you try BMX Racing for free before purchasing the license and equipment. Participants can also earn free-race coupons.

Eco Adventures™ Tours offers thrilling adventure-packed excursions that challenge any workout routine with treks through the Everglades, snorkeling out on the reef at Indian Key, Kayaking, Canoeing, Kitehttp://teamsite/iw-cc/command/iw.group.formspub.generate Surfing, and Yoga Paddle Boarding along Miami's amazing waterways. Enjoy the perfect combination of exercise and nature exploration throughout various South Florida locations.

The sandy white beaches at Matheson Hammock Park and Crandon Park are great places to relax, play and swim; and their waters are prime spots for Kite-Boarding. Matheson's active breezes and calm, shallow bayside waters make launching easy. It's a great beach for beginner, or those who simply enjoy a peaceful practice session. Crandon's open ocean and waves offer challenging sails for wind warriors. Equipment rentals and lessons are offered at the beachside water sports concessions.

Skateboarding is fun and one of the fastest growing sports offering a moderate cardio workout. Experience the adrenalin rush and learn new tricks at MDPR's outdoor skate parks complete with ramps for various skill levels at Country Village Park, South Dade Park and Westwind Lakes Park.

The historic Deering Estate at Cutler with its sweeping views of Biscayne Bay is a soothing site for Pilates or Yoga classes. Ballroom Dancing classes are also offered, so you can Fox Trot, Cha Cha and Swing your way to a fitter and slimmer you.

One of the most beautiful places for a unique walking experience is Zoo Miami. With its three miles of landscaped walkways that take you through Africa, Asia, Australia and the Amazon, and more than 2,000 animals to see, it won't seem like exercise at all! It will feel like you are on a safari!

MDPR offers recreation programs exclusively for children and adults with disabilities, including Paralympic Sports and Special Olympic Sports. Parks Disability Services also facilitates inclusion into all MDPR programs, events and activities. Call 305-365-6706.

Swimming helps burn calories, builds muscle tone and provides a low-impact workout. MDPR's eight public swimming pools offer swimming and water-exercise classes for all ages, and some include lifts.

MDPR offers a wide variety of fitness activities, including soccer, softball, tennis, basketball, golf, track-and-field, equestrian facilities, and dog recreation areass. To learn more about MDPR activities at parks near you, call 3-1-1 or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks.

*Paintball

Homestead Air Reserve Park, 27401 SW 127 Ave., Homestead…305-233-3150
*At the park's Big Shot Paintball Fields……786-268-9208.

*Mountain Biking/ **Wakeboarding Waterskiing, Knee Boarding and Bare Footing

Amelia Earhart Park, 401 E. 65th St., Miami…305-685-8389
* At the park's mountain bike trail
**At the park's Miami Wakeboard Cable Complex… 305-476-WAKE.

Fitness Boot Camps

Tropical Park, 7900 SW 40 St., Miami…305-226-8316; AD Barnes Park, 3401 SW 72 Ave., Miami…305-665-1626;Tamiami Park, 11201 SW 24 St., Miami…305-223-7077; Hammocks Community Park, 9750 Hammocks Blvd., Miami…305-380-6917; Kendall Soccer Park, 8011 SW 127 Ave., Miami…305-275-1152; and *South Dade Park, 16350 SW 280 St., Miami…305-247-9453, or 786-294-8483 (*Tone You Up Inc.)

Sports Shooting

Trail Glades Sport Shooting Range,17601 SW 8 St., Miami…305-226-1823.

Bicycle Motocross Racing (BMX)

Milton E. Thompson Park, 16665 NW 177 Ave., Miami…305-622-2594; and
Miami South BMX at Pine Ridge Park, 13050 SW 216 St., 305-258-9442

Skateboard Parks

Country Village Park, 6550 NW 188 Ter., Miami…305-622-2594;South Dade Park, 16350 SW 280 St., Miami…305-247-9453; Westwind Lakes Park, 6805 SW 152 St., Miami…305-388-4771.

EcoAventuresTM Tours

Various locations; make reservations at 4000 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne…305-365-3018, www.miamidade.gov/ecoadventures.

Kite-Boarding (professional instruction and rentals):

Crandon Park Beach, 4000 Crandon Beach Blvd, Key Biscayne
At the Miami Kiteboarding water sports concession (north beach), 305-345-9974

Matheson Hammock Park Beach, 9810 Old Cutler Rd., Coral Gables
At the Adventure Sports Miami water sports concession, 305-733-1519

Pilates, Yoga and Ballroom Dancing

Deering Estate at Cutler,16701 SW 72 Ave., Miami…305-235-1668.

Walking Safari

Zoo Miami,12400 SW 152 St., Miami…305-251-0400.

Paralympic Sports, Special Olympic Sports and other activities/programs for those with disabilities

MDPR Disability Services…. 305-365-6706.

Swimming Pools

Open year-round:
*AD Barnes Park, 3401 SW 72 Ave., Miami… 305-665-1626; *Palm Springs North Park, 7901 NW 176 St., Miami…305-558-3762; Rockway Park, 9460 SW 27 Drive, Miami…305-223-8742; and *Tamiami Park, 11201 SW 24 St., Miami…305-223-7077.

Open summer months only:

Arcola Park, 1680 NW 87 St., Miami…305-691-5104; Little River Park, 10525 NW 24 Ave., Miami…305-248-1386; *Helen Sands Park, 16350 SW 280 St., Miami…305-248-1386; and Tropical Estates Park, 10201 SW 48 St., Miami…305-221-5041.
*Pools accessible to people with disabilities

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PARK AND RECREATION

Hickman Building

275 N.-W 2nd Street, 5th Floor Miami, Florida 33128

(305) 755-7800