New playground at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park connects kids of all abilities to nature through play

This week, Miami-Dade County Commission Vice Chairman and District 10 Commissioner Anthony Rodriguez and Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces  Department Director Maria I. Nardi, along with students from TERRA Environmental Research Institute (TERRA High School), children from The Wow Center and other nearby schools, gathered at  Kendall Indian Hammocks Park for the ribbon cutting of the park’s new playground, designed to inspire children of all abilities to explore the great outdoors through fun and imaginative play.

"This new nature-based playground is a welcome addition to Kendall Indian Hammocks Park," said Vice Chairman Rodriguez. "This popular and beautiful park is a gem of District 10. I am so excited for the fun and joy this playground will offer our entire community."

The new playground features inclusive playground equipment, surrounded by play mounds and nature play elements, such as Australian pine logs, which also provide added seating and play experiences.  There are musical instruments to play, springers, swings, a Sensory Dome that combines the thrill of climbing with numerous sensory play explorations and an ADA accessible Wizard’s Hideaway play cottage with a double slide. 

Parks Director Nardi added, “We are excited to celebrate these park improvements. Playgrounds are an integral part of kids’ lives. This nature-based playground provides children with the opportunity to reconnect to nature through play. It is a dynamic play space and another great example of improving the quality of life for the community while building the next generation of parks stewards.”

These park enhancements advance the community-inspired vision of the County’s Parks and Open Space Master Plan, to create a seamless, sustainable system of parks, recreation and open spaces for this and future generations. 

The cost for the project was approximately $913,000. Funding was provided by the Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Program (BBC-GOB) and the Countywide Infrastructure Investment Program (CIIP).

Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, located at 11395 SW 79 Street in Miami, is a 175-acre park rich in natural resources, containing a natural forest community and archeological sites. The park features softball fields, a skate park, walking trails, playgrounds, disc golf facilities, and picnic shelters. The use of the park facilities is shared with long-time partners TERRA High School and Miami-Dade Public Schools, under a joint use agreement. The park is a living laboratory for TERRA students who conduct hands-on research for their school projects, which have included the Lilioceris Cheni Beetle and the Air Potato. 

For directions and more information about recreational activities at Kendall Indian Hammocks Park, call 305-596-9324 or visit the web page.

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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. 

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