Special Needs Children Surprised with Recreation Center Makeover
Corporate Sponsors Donate Time and Talents to “Make a Difference”
Ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for Tuesday, November 13, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade Vice President Raul Garcia, Miami-Dade Parks Deputy Director George Navarrete, representatives from sponsor organizations, and children from the Miami-Dade Parks Disability Services Program
After decades of being a home to thousands of children in the Miami-Dade Parks after-school programs, including the participants of the Miami-Dade Parks' Disability Services Program, Tamiami Park Recreation Center is receiving a much-needed facelift just in time for Thanksgiving. Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces and The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, in partnership with WPLG Local 10, Home Depot, Odebrecht USA, CIC (Commercial Interior Contractors), Fence Masters and other generous sponsors, are giving the center new life after years of wear and tear with the addition of new flooring, an updated electrical system, repainted walls, modern kitchen improvements including a new sink, faucet and refrigerator, new shelving and cabinetry, fencing, landscaping and more. Sponsors have also stepped in to furnish the new center with a television and after-school supplies, including a dry erase board.
A grand reopening ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for Tuesday, November 13, 2012, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 11201 SW 24th Street in Miami, as children, parents and counselors gather for their annual Thanksgiving celebration. Officials from The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade and Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces will celebrate alongside the families, staff, volunteers and sponsors in cutting the ribbon which will usher in a new and improved era for Tamiami Park Recreation Center.
In addition, a special commemorative mural produced by Home Depot, will be unveiled. Local 10 will also be on hand to document the occasion as part of its continuing "Making a Difference" series, which has ignited and showcased the giving spirit of the Miami-Dade community.
All materials and labor for the Tamiami Park Recreation Center refurbishment were entirely donated with special thanks to: Home Depot, Odebrecht USA, CIC (Commercial Interior Contractors), Fence Masters, Tiger Direct, Office Depot, and Waste Management.
To follow the transformation, please visit
http://www.local10.com/news/Making-A-Difference-Rebuilding-park-for-kids-in-need/-/1717324/16170602/-/yxk30x/-/index.html
http://www.local10.com/news/Volunteers-revamp-North-Miami-Beach-Tamiami-Recreation-Center/-/1717324/16216184/-/mhh5ugz/-/index.html
Miami-Dade Parks Disability Services provides recreational and sports programs to children and adults with disabilities. Wheelchair Sports, Blind Sports, and Special Olympics are offered along with out-of-school and summer camp programs. In addition, all Miami-Dade Parks' general programs are "inclusive," meaning that a person with a disability can participate with others who have disabilities or in general population programs. The staff from Parks Disability Services also works closely with Miami-Dade Parks' capital programs to ensure that all park sites meet the highest standard of accessibility for all people.
To sponsor a park or facility through the Adopt-a-Park program, to make a donation to benefit children, or for more information please call Vicky Mallette at 305-755-7804.
About the Parks, Recreation & 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 www.miamidade.gov/parks/.