New state-of-the-art field opens at Oak Grove Park

On Wednesday, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime and Miami-Dade County Parks Assistant Director Joe Cornely gathered to cut the ribbon on the new soccer field and other park improvements at Oak Grove Park, 690 NE 159 Street, Miami, Florida 33162.  

The new soccer field was named “Ernst ‘Zenono’ Jean-Baptiste Soccer Field”– in honor of the Haitian soccer legend – long revered by the Miami-Dade soccer community for his contributions to the development and promotion of soccer in South Florida. The field naming is the result of a Miami-Dade County resolution sponsored by Commissioner Monestime and approved by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners. Jean-Baptiste, a living legend, played soccer for the famed Fort Lauderdale Strikers and served as coach for the Haitian National Soccer Team. He was instrumental in organizing the historic 2004 “Game of Peace” between Brazil’s and Haiti’s national soccer teams. He also held the position of soccer coach for Miami-Dade College from 1984 to 1989, taking the team to the national championship finals twice.

In addition to the new synthetic turf soccer playing field, complete with new sports field lighting, the improvements include a field drainage system, free Wi-Fi, new bleachers, enhanced landscaping, and ADA accessible updates to the 21.71-acre park, which is home to the Father Gerard Jean Juste Community Center. In addition to the Community Recreation Center, existing park amenities include tennis courts, a recreational swimming pool, a splash pad, a playground, and walking paths.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Levine Cava said, “This new soccer field is a wonderful addition to Oak Grove Park, which is the heart of this community. We are proud of the great work that Miami-Dade Parks is doing across the parks system to create more spaces for children and families to stay active and develop an appreciation for the outdoors. Accessible green spaces are key to building strong, healthy, and resilient communities. Soccer is a key way to bring community together and this new asset will benefit the young and young at heart.”

“I am very pleased to see this new development at Oak Grove Park,” said Miami-Dade District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime. “Given this community’s passion for the sport of soccer, the new field improvements will surely enhance the experiences of those who enjoy playing and watching the sport.” 

“We are thrilled to celebrate the new soccer field, bleachers, enhanced landscaping, and complimentary Wi-Fi at Oak Grove Park that enhance Miami-Dade County residents’ access to exceptional recreational experiences in a beautiful park,” said Miami-Dade Parks Director Maria I. Nardi. “These improvements are part of the implementation of the Miami-Dade County Parks and Open Space Masterplan: a community-inspired vision to create a seamless, sustainable, equitable system of parks, recreation and open spaces for this and future generations.”

Miami-Dade Parks completed the project in collaboration with DN’A Design & Architecture, Inc. and HG Construction Development & Investment, Inc.

For more information about Oak Grove Park, visit the web page or call 305-944-8670.

# # #

About Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces:
Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of more than 280 parks and 40,000+ acres of parks and natural areas, comprised of active, passive parklands and nature preserves. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world and focused on placemaking, health and fitness, and conservation and stewardship. 

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter or visit our website for the latest news and updates from Miami-Dade County Parks!