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For Immediate Release:
September 20, 2012

Media Contact:
Edith Torres
[email protected]
305-755-7862

Lauren Breckenridge

305-755-7973



Volunteers Take Pride Where They Play: Come Celebrate Parks on National Public Lands Day


(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- 
Miami-Dade Parks is once again participating in National Public Lands Day, the nation-wide event dedicated to preserving and honoring park systems, Saturday, September 29, from 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  This year a record number of parks will be participating including AD Barnes, Amelia Earhart, Castellow Hammock, Arch Creek, Miami Beach Maintenance, Bill Bird Marina, Bill Sadowski, Crandon, Greynolds, Haulover, Highland Oaks, and Homestead Bayfront Parks.  Park sites are distributed throughout the county giving more opportunities for the public to volunteer.

This year, Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez has officially declared September 29 as National Public Lands Day with a proclamation to Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation, and Open Spaces Department, marking the importance of this day to the Miami-Dade County community.

The event is significant in not only being a volunteer day, but also a day dedicated to park awareness.  Before the projects begin park managers and specialists will provide a brief presentation of the activities, history, and unique natural habitat of the park. Park staff will aim to inspire year-round enthusiasm as well as volunteerism.

"Volunteer service is crucial to the preservation of our parks. We are hoping to make a big impact on National Public Lands Day so volunteers can see what we have to offer," said Angie Gomez, Volunteer Coordinator for MDPROS.  "Parks are important landmarks within a community, providing places for all people to enjoy nature, open spaces, and recreational activities."

Sign in at all parks will begin at 8:30 a.m. Volunteer activities may include removing litter and invasive exotics, trail maintenance, coastal clean-up, planting, painting, and more.  The projects will end at 1:00 p.m. and all who participate will receive a certificate and community service hours.   

To register for this service project or to find a site near you, visit the volunteer page at Miami-Dade Parks. Registration is required.  For more information on this or other opportunities, or businesses and organizations interested in sponsoring a volunteer service project, please call Angie Gomez, Volunteer Coordinator for Miami-Dade Parks at 305-961-2781. For more information visit National Public Lands Day

About Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, 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 more information visit Miami-Dade Parks or call 3-1-1.

About The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that supports the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department's effort 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, visit Parks Foundation.


 

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MIAMI-DADE PARKS, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACES DEPARTMENT
275 NW 2nd Street, 3rd Floor Miami, Florida 33128
(305) 755-7842