Miami-Dade Parks and Miami-Dade District 13 Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr. to dedicate new recreational amenities at Amelia Earhart Park at 10:30 a.m. on October 18

(MIAMI, October 10, 2014) - The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and Miami-Dade County District 13 Commissioner Esteban Bovo Jr. invite residents to join them at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2014, as they dedicate the new multi-use recreation trail at Amelia Earhart Park, located at 401 E. 65 Street in Hialeah. Spanning approximately 1,900 linear feet and 12 feet wide, the paved trail is designed to be shared by bicycle riders and pedestrians alike, and provides people in wheelchairs with enhanced accessibility to park amenities. The trail is complete with a bike wash station and a 15 by 15-foot canvas canopy that serves as a shady rest spot.

As part of the trail development project, the site also received new landscaping, new wood fencing, new access gates, and a new 20 space parking lot with eight designated ADA parking spaces. There is also a newly paved access roadway that extends from the park’s main loop road to its popular Mountain Bike Trail, which is recognized as a top South Florida bike trail and venue for pro-series BMX race events.

“This new trail development at Amelia Earhart Park creates more opportunities for residents and visitors to be outdoors and enjoy fitness activities,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos. A. Gimenez. “Thanks to our Parks Department we are building better connections to our precious green spaces.”

“Amelia Earhart Park is one of this community’s most beautiful parks and this new trail certainly boasts some of the park’s best views,” said Commissioner Bovo. “I highly encourage neighbors to make this trail their regular spot for walking, biking and relaxing with nature.”

“Projects like this new multi-use recreational trail are helping to revitalize our parks and make them more accessible to people of all ages and activity levels,” said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys.

The project cost approximately $627,000 and was funded by the “Building Better Communities” General Obligation Bond Program (BBC-GOB) and a grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Recreational Trails Program.

Visitors are encouraged to bring their own bike and helmet for riding the trails. Bike and helmet rentals are available on weekends and holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Park admission is $7 per vehicle on weekends and free on weekdays.

The 515-acre Amelia Earhart Park also features five crystal blue lakes, picnic facilities, a children’s playground, an 18-hole disc golf course, a five-acre fenced dog park, and the Bill Graham Farm Village, a live working farm with an animal petting area and pony rides. In addition, the park is home to the Miami Wakeboarding Complex and Soccer 5 Soccer Complex.

For directions and information about recreational activities at Amelia Earhart Park visit www.miamidade.gov or call 305-685-8389.

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; 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.