"This new facility is a wonderful addition, because it will allow more residents of all ages, as well as scouts and school groups, to enjoy and benefit from more, year-round nature based classes and workshops than ever before," said Commissioner Sosa.

"Our organization has proved its leadership role, capacity and experience to address the cultural and linguistic competency needed to serve and accomplish the primary purpose and goal of this partnership. We believe that our community deserves high-quality environmental education and outdoor experience opportunities that challenges them to acquire new knowledge and skills," said Mildred Real, Executive Director of the Common Ground for Conservation.

In addition to the Sense of Wonder Nature Center, the 59-acre park contains a recreation center, picnic pavilions, walking paths, a lake, a baseball field, a swimming pool, and the Miami-Dade Parks Disability Services Leisure Access Center, offering recreational programs for people with disabilities. 

For more information about facility rentals, and recreational programs and activities at AD Barnes Park, including Miami-Dade Parks' summer camps, call 305-662-4124 or visit Miami-Dade Parks.

About A.D. Barnes Park and the Sense of Wonder Nature Center:
A.D. Barnes Park is a 65-acre park nestled in the heart of one of Miami's busiest areas. The park is dedicated to and named after the first Director of the Park and Recreation Department, who strongly believed recreation was important to the lives of every citizen in Miami-Dade County. The park is home to The Sense of Wonder Nature Center and Trail set within one of the few remaining Pine Rocklands in Miami-Dade County. As a result, it has become an "oasis" for migrating birds and, according to the National Audubon Society, is one of the best places to see birds in Miami. It is also included in the statewide Great Florida Birding Trail. The Nature Center is also home to the Miami-Dade Fire Department's Anti-Venom unit's reptile collection. For more information about programs and activities at the Sense of Wonder Nature Center at A.D. Barnes Park, call 305-662-4125, or visit Miami-Dade Parks.

About the Common Ground for Conservation (CGC):
Common Ground for Conservation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) aimed at helping people develop the attitudes, skills, and knowledge to make informed decisions for the benefit of themselves and others, now and in the future, and to act upon these decisions to protect the human health and the environment through education, leadership and volunteerism. Common Ground for Conservation.

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.

To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (7 days in advance), call 305-755-7848.