"This community will soon have its very own skate park that is specifically designed for skateboarding, giving neighborhood kids a safe place to practice their jumps and other skateboard tricks," said Commissioner Diaz.

The improvement project will include the installation of a new 120' x 120' concrete skate court plaza with skateboarding fixtures and covered spectator bleachers.  This endeavor will also include replacing the old basketball courts with new ones, and adding new high-efficiency sports lighting and 178 new parking spaces. The total project cost is $1,081,500 and funding will be provided by the "Building Better Communities" General Obligation Bond Program.

"This is going to be a wonderful addition to North Trail Park," said Miami-Dade Parks Director Jack Kardys. "Skateboarding is one of the most popular sports around, and with unique park spaces like this we are inspiring kids to get outdoors and stay active." 

Miami-Dade Parks' other skateboard facilities include Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, South Dade Park, Westwind Lakes Park, and Country Village Park--the County's first skate park, opened in July 2009.

The 14-acre North Trail Park contains a recreation center, volleyball, a playground, a walking path, tennis and basketball courts, and a soccer field. The park also offers facility rentals and a wide variety of recreational activities and programs for residents, including Miami-Dade Parks "Fit-to-Play: Health, Wellness and Obesity Prevention" Out-of-School program and its "Fit to Play, Green It Up" Summer Camps for kids. For more information about this park, call 305-207-2420, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks.

About the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award and winner of the 2009 Florida Governor's Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade 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 Ericsson Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more.  For information about Miami-Dade Parks call 3-1-1, or visit Miami-Dade Parks.