Miami-Dade County Parks and the Parks Foundation Offer Water Safety Instruction and Learn-to-Swim Classes

With the warm summer months ahead many families will be spending more time poolside or at the beach, so there is no time like the present to prepare your child for being safe in and around water. 
The Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners has designated the month of May as "Water Safety Month," during which the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department is partnering with the Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade to heighten public awareness about the urgency for all youth to receive water safety instruction and swimming lessons to prevent drowning. In support of this initiative, families are encouraged to attend these informative learn-to-swim 'Summer Safety Splash' community events and register their children for Miami-Dade County Parks' 'Learn-to-Swim' classes (events and pool locations are listed below.)
 
Nationally, drowning is the second-leading cause of injury-related death among children ages one to 14.  Florida has the second-highest number of drowning incidents in the United States, and Miami-Dade County leads the state in drowning deaths.
 
"We live in a County surrounded by water, so it is critical that citizens make water safety and swimming lessons a priority for their children," said Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. "These essential skills can help save lives.  Just one drowning is too many."
 
"To keep children safe around water, they need to learn how to swim," said Miami-Dade Parks Director Jack Kardys. "Our Miami-Dade Parks Learn-to-Swim classes empower children and enable them to safely enjoy a lifetime of fun in and around the water."
 
"We are working with our Parks Department and municipalities throughout our community to promote water safety at public pools this summer.  Families are encouraged to bring their children to the free Summer Safety Splash events this month, so they can learn to be water safe for  summertime swimming," said Miami-Dade County Chairwoman and District 6 Commissioner Rebeca Sosa.
 
"During the summer months the number of childhood deaths by drowning increases, compared to the rest of the year. Many of these incidents are prevented if residents are better informed about water safety and make swimming lessons a priority for their young ones," said Miami-Dade County District 1 Commissioner Barbara Jordan.
 
The Office of Miami-Dade County District 1 Commissioner Barbara Jordan has donated funds to the municipalities of Miami Gardens ($5,000) and Opa-locka ($3,923), and the North Pointe YMCA ($3,923) for learn-to-swim lessons. The Office of Miami-Dade County Chairwoman and District 6 Commissioner Rebeca Sosa has allocated funding for learn-to-swim.
 
Summer Safety Splash' Events:
These free community events are presented by Miami-Dade County Parks and Miami Children's Hospital, with support from AvMed Health Plans, Assurant, the Larry Little Legends Golf Classic and other supporters of the Swim for Jenny Memorial Fund.  The fund provides free swimming lessons to disadvantaged children.  More information is available at www.swimforjenny.org.  Activities will include drowning rescue demonstrations; swimming lesson demonstrations; interactive activities related to water safety; supervised water fun for children in the pool and splash playground; and information on the importance of water safety from community leaders.
 
May 11, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Summer Safety Splash
Sponsored by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan
Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex, 3000 NW 199 St., Miami Gardens
 
May 18, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Summer Safety Splash
Sponsored by Miami-Dade County Commission Chair Rebecca Sosa
A.D. Barnes Pool, 3401 SW 72 Ave., Miami
 
Miami-Dade County Parks' 'Learn-to-Swim' Classes:
Miami-Dade County Parks 'Learn-to-Swim' classes are taught by certified American Red Cross Water Safety Instructors. 'Learn-to-Swim' classes include Parent and Tot (ages 2 - 5), Levels 1- 6 (ages 6 - 18) and Adults.  For more information or to register, contact the pool of your interest:
Miami-Dade County Parks Year-Round Pools
 
      A.D. Barnes Pool - 3401 SW 72 Ave., 305- 665-1626
      Helen Sands Pool - 16350 SW 280 St., 305-248-1386
     Palm Springs North Pool - 7901 NW 176 St., 305-558-3762
     Tamiami Pool - 11201 SW 24 St., 305-223-7077
     Rockway Pool - 9460 SW 27 Ave., 305-223-8742
 
Miami-Dade County Parks Seasonal Pools (Open Summer Months Only)
 
     Arcola Pool - 1680 NW 87 St., 305-691-5104
     Gwen Cherry Pool - 7090 NW 22 Ave., 305-691-2439
     Little River Pool - 10525 NW 24 Ave., 305-696-7651
     Naranja Pool - 14150 SW 264 St., 305-257-0404
     Sgt. Joseph Delancy Pool - 14375 Boggs Dr., 305-238-5692
     Tropical Estates Pool - 10201 SW 48 St., 305-221-5041
 
Note: All pools are outdoors. Pool lifts are available at ALL pools.
About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award and winner of 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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