Miami-Dade County Parks Announces: Community Image Advisory Board is now accepting nominations for local beautification efforts

(MIAMI, February 25, 2014) — Here’s your chance to recognize an outstanding Miami-Dade County cleaning and greening achievement. The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department announces:  The Community Image Advisory Board (CIAB), led by its Chairman, Miami-Dade County District 9 Commissioner Dennis C. Moss, is now accepting award nominations for the first annual “Beautification and Maintenance Excellence” Awards. The awards will recognize the creation of gateways, a commitment to aesthetics and superior corridor maintenance.  The deadline for award nominations is March 24.  Winners will be announced at the Miami-Dade Great Park Summit on April 4.

“By recognizing those who have shown an extraordinary commitment to clean and green their public rights-of-way, we hope to encourage others to join our efforts and celebrate their community through aesthetic investments,” said Commissioner Moss. 

Nominations for the 2014 Beautification and Maintenance Excellence Awards will be accepted in these three award categories:

Beautification Leadership Award – Individual that displays extraordinary initiative in transforming a roadway, gateway or terminal.

Inviting Gateway Award – A community or organization that has created a signature gateway reflecting Miami-Dade's world-class image.

Corridor Maintenance Showcase Award – A community corridor representing the highest standards for aesthetics and vegetation maintenance.  

Nomination forms are available online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mTHIgaXrz5YUk7_0Y5tuotxd8JTJGT1u-GBDPsFW1Ds/viewform (Beautification Leadership/Inviting Gateway Awards) and at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Z90U6_gFClDiwD4VZ9Vyum71mNvW2VTR-ZR9FbvN748/viewform (Corridor Maintenance Showcase Award).  For more information, call Miami-Dade Community Image Manager Patrice Gillespie Smith at 305 755-7801.

About the CIAB:
The CIAB is the only multi-jurisdictional group dedicated to creating welcoming community gateways and beautiful connections through the maintenance and improvement of major roadways, transportation terminals and adjacent properties.  Working with members, including the Florida Department of Transportation, the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority, the Miami-Dade County departments of Parks Recreation and Open Spaces, Public Works and Waste Management, the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, and numerous Miami-Dade municipalities, Commissioner Moss has launched countless improvement efforts, including: litter reduction education programs; the Million Trees Miami campaign; the “Revamp the Ramp” initiative; and landscape enhancements at Miami-Dade County Metrorail stations.

About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
Host of the Community Image Advisory Board, Miami-Dade Parks is 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, and 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.