Gratigny Plateau Park celebrates its grand opening with a Community Block Party
Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime, the Local 10 News Team, Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, Miami-Dade Parks, Miller Construction Company, and EDSA Join Residents and Local Entertainers in a Community Celebration to Dedicate the New Park
(MIAMI, August 7, 2014) — After two years of planning, fundraising and construction, an extreme park makeover at Gratigny Plateau Park, made possible through a unique public-private sector partnership, was celebrated on Wednesday, August 6, 2014, at 5:00 p.m., with a community block party marking the grand opening of this quaint, neighborhood park. Designed to resemble a flower signaling new life for a community in need, Gratigny Plateau Park, located at 885 NW 117 Street, boasts new walking paths, fitness stations, a toddler playground, benches, and a butterfly garden providing area residents new opportunities for recreation.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jean Monestime, District 2, joined Local 10 Anchor Calvin Hughes and the Local 10 News team, EDSA Principal Kona Gray, Tom Miller and Jesse Miller of Miller Construction Company, Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade Vice President Raul Garcia, Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Director Jack Kardys, and other dignitaries and community members for the two-hour block party that featured live news casts from the Local 10 News team; fitness station equipment demonstrations by Coca-Cola Troops for Fitness instructors Laura Ortiz and Terrell Bell; music and entertainment by the Gwen Cherry Dancers, Gwen Cherry Senior Line Dancers, and the Arcola Lakes Singing Angels; and refreshments courtesy of Publix Supermarkets, added to the evening’s festivities.
The park’s construction was conceived and spearheaded by Local 10 News. Design was donated by EDSA, with construction led by Miller Construction Company. Estimated cost for construction is valued at $600,000. Thanks to efforts by Commissioner Monestime, $250,000 in funding from the Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond Program, Community Development Block Grant, and Parks Impact Fees were allocated to Gratigny Plateau Park to help expedite the final phase of construction.
Through the non-profit Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade, in partnership with Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces, a host of corporate donors and local businesses also provided funding, in-kind labor and materials to make the project possible, including Miller Construction Company, EDSA, McLaughlin Engineering, J.D. Backhoe, East Coast Testing & Engineering, Woodland Construction, GO-TILT Construction, Right Way Plumbing, Cemex, Grounds Group, DeRose Design Consultants, Inc., Landscape Architect Consultants, Inc., Medallion Nurseries, Oly-Ola Edgings, Rep Services, MJM Structural, Wells Fargo, Shell Lumber, Atlantic Southern Paving & Sealcoating, Chucks Backhoe, Quality Construction Performance, Vulcan Materials Company, H&R Paving, Walgreens, Romero Britto, Adonel Concrete, Carlson Fence Co., Auction Company of America, The Miami Heat, Publix Super Markets, Macy’s, Mandarin Oriental, Levinson Jewelers, A1A Sod, EMF Landscaping, Dixie Landscaping, and Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami.
About The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade
The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that supports the Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department’s effort 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, visit www.liveaparklife.org.
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, Deering Estate at Cutler and Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden; 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/.