Miami-Dade Parks and Miami-Dade District 9 Commissioner Dennis Moss announce newly completed development at Ben Shavis Park and Sharman Park
(MIAMI, July 7, 2014) — The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner Dennis C. Moss invite residents to join them on Saturday, July 12, 2014, as they dedicate the newly completed development at these two Miami-Dade parks:
BEN SHAVIS PARK
17821 SW 104 Avenue (West Perrine)
-Ribbon-cutting at 10:00 a.m.-
SHARMAN PARK
12370 SW 218 Street (Goulds)
- Ribbon-cutting at 11:00 a.m.-
“I am happy to see new amenities at Ben Shavis Park and Sharman Park. Such improvements better the overall park experience for residents and visitors,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Together with the Parks Department, we continue to make great strides in developing parks and open spaces throughout Miami-Dade County.”
“These distinct and unique parks are most precious to the people in the West Perrine and Goulds communities. I highly encourage everyone to come out for a visit and see all that these parks have to offer,” said Commissioner Moss.
“We are committed to creating great park spaces that will encourage people of all ages to spend more time exercising and being outdoors,” said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys. “We are proud to make this happen for the neighbors that live around these parks.”
New Development at Ben Shavis Park 
The improvements at Ben Shavis Park include a new playground, designed for children ages 5-12. The playground is approximately 2,700-square-feet and features climbers, steppers, look-out towers, connecting bridges, and a swing-set. The site has an artificial turf play surface for ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility. The playground equipment is a product of custom play structures with play stations by Play Craft Systems.
Visitors will also see a new park sign, new perimeter fencing with two new access gates, two seating areas consisting of nine new park benches and four custom trash receptacles, resurfaced walkways with new solar-powered lighting, and new grass and mulching throughout the grounds.
The new development at Ben Shavis Park is a product of the Miami-Dade County Parks Design and Construction Team working in conjunction with HG Construction, Inc. The cost for the improvements totaled $454,300. Funding was provided by the West Perrine CRA, the Quality Neighborhood Improvement Program (QNIP) and Impact Fees.
The .86-acre neighborhood park is named for Ben Shavis, a community activist and the first and only mayor of the city of West Perrine.
As part of The West Perrine Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) mission to rehabilitate, conserve and undertake redevelopment within its boundaries, the CRA has partnered with the County to improve the community’s quality of life and image by enhancing the level of services, safety and maintenance provided at Ben Shavis Park.
New Development at Sharman Park 
Kindergarten to middle school-age kids will also enjoy the new playground at Sharman Park. The playground is approximately 3,500-square-feet and has a poured rubber play surface for ADA accessibility. The playground contains assorted slides, climbers and swings, and has two plastic fabric canopies overhead that provide shade as manufactured by Shade Systems. The playground equipment is a custom Playmaker play structure with multiple play stations by Play World.
Other improvements at the park include six new benches, a new basketball court, new connecting walkways, a new parking area, a new park sign, and new fencing. The park also received new plantings, consisting of 21 Live Oak trees and a variety of native shrubs, such as Crabwood, Marlberry, Jamaica Caper, Myrtle-of-the-River, Wild Lime, Indigo-berry, and assorted Stoppers.
In addition, the two access roads were resurfaced and one was additionally modified to end in a cul-de-sac.
The improvements at Sharman Park were completed with $919,750 in funding from QNIP, the “Building Better Communities” General Obligation Bond Program and Impact Fees. The project was a joint effort of Miami-Dade County Parks Design and Construction Team working in collaboration with TCAPA Consulting Engineers; Rosenberg Gardner Design; HG Construction; and Quality Construction Performance, Inc.
For more information about Ben Shavis Park and Sharman Park, call (305) 257-0310 (Homestead Air Reserve Park), or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks.
About The West Perrine Community Redevelopment Agency:
The West Perrine CRA promotes an urban initiative to stimulate and guide the redevelopment of the West Perrine area and to create a better neighborhood to live, work and play. The West Perrine CRA was formed by Miami-Dade County on June 5, 2007, when the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) adopted a resolution approving a Community Redevelopment Plan and Ordinance establishing the West Perrine CRA Trust Fund. Upon creation of the CRA, the BCC appointed itself as the CRA Board of Commissioners. The goal of the CRA is to provide immediate relief to any unsafe or unsanitary conditions in the CRA Area in order to create a positive image for the community and to attract investment. For information about the West Perrine CRA visit
http://www.miamidade.gov/crepad/west_perine/west_perrine.asp
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.liveaparklife.org.
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.