Miami-Dade County Parks and Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner Dennis C. Moss to Break Ground For New Amenities at William Randolph Community Park

Residents are invited to join the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner Dennis C. Moss on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 10:00 a.m., as they break ground for new amenities at William Randolph Community Park, a 10-acre lakefront park located at 11950 SW 228 Street, Miami, 33170.  The park is named after William Randolph, an African American pioneer homesteader of south Miami-Dade County who founded the subdivision of Goulds.

The new park amenities will include a paved walking path, various connecting walkways, a parking area, benches, picnic tables, a bicycle rack, shade trees and landscape plants.  In addition, the park will receive new access control fencing, and roadway and drainage improvements.  A fitness court is also planned for the near future.

“This is another great example of how our Parks Department is helping to create first rate parks and open spaces that enrich resident quality of life and improve the community,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez.

“I am delighted to be breaking ground for these much-needed park enhancements.  This park stands in tribute to this community’s rich history and is sure to become a favorite gathering spot for neighbors to recreate and enjoy nature,” said Commissioner Moss.

“A new park development such as this creates more active green spaces where people of all ages can safely exercise, play and socialize,” said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys. 

The Miami-Dade County Parks Design and Build Team will work with COMTECH Engineering, Inc. to complete the park improvements.  The total cost for the new park amenities is expected to be $597,000 with funding from the Quality Neighborhoods Improvement Program and Impact Fees. 

In 1900 William Randolph filed a U.S. Homestead Application for a 160-acre tract of land in southern Miami-Dade County, now known as “Goulds.” He received the property deed 12 years later, during William Howard Taft’s presidency.  In July of 1920 he and his wife Ana platted the Goulds subdivision. William went on to help other African Americans in his community to become land owners by selling off most of his land very inexpensively or simply giving it away, free of charge. In addition, he donated a 5-acre tract to build a school for area youth, which is now home to Pine Villa Elementary School and Mays Middle School. 

For directions and more information about William Randolph Community Park, the public can call 305-257-0310 (Homestead Air Reserve Park) .

About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award, winner of the 2013 Florida Governor’s Sustained Excellence Award and the 2009 Florida Governor’s Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County 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 Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more.  For information about Miami-Dade County Parks call 3-1-1, or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks/.

Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s efforts 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 on the Parks Foundation, please visit www.miamidade.gov/parks_foundation.

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