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For Immediate Release:
April 02, 2015
Media Contact:
Laura Phillips
[email protected]
305-755-7842

Vote for your favorite Miami-Dade Parks project this Earth Month

One of three parks projects has a chance to receive $20,000 through the NRPA's "Parks Build Community Campaign"


(MIAMI, April 2, 2015) — This Earth Month,  the National Recreation  and Park Association (NRPA),  Disney/ABC  Television  Group  and  ESPN  are collaborating  to revitalize  parks across the U.S., including a Miami-Dade  County park.  Through an initiative of the NRPA called  "Parks  Build  Community," one  of three  park  projects  of the Miami-Dade  County Parks,  Recreation  and  Open  Spaces  Department  will  receive  a $20,000  grant   and residents get to choose which one.

Miami-Dade Parks aims to make our community a better place to live by providing places and programs that encourage people to be active and healthy. That's why every day this month, through April 30, we're asking everyone to visit NRPA.org/BeInspired and vote on which project they'd like to see receive $20,000 in grant funding to make improvements. Once you cast your first vote, you can re-visit the site and keep voting daily. At the end of April, the Miami-Dade Parks project with the most votes will receive grant funding.

The project choices are:
• Soccer Field Enhancements at Oak Grove Park - This project would install additional amenities to enhance player's overall experience on the soccer field by adding additional goals, players' benches and perimeter fencing.

• Butterfly Garden at Gratigny Plateau Park - This project would expand and beautify the existing butterfly garden to better engage visitors who use the park's playground and fitness equipment stations.

• Community  Garden  Planting  at Goulds  Park - This project  would support  the implementation of  a  community  garden  for  the  park,  inclusive  of  an  irrigation system, planter beds for growing fruits and vegetables  and fencing. Once planted, the garden would be used to encourage children attending the park's after-school program to improve and expand their heathy eating choices.

In addition, Miami-Dade Parks also has a “Wild Card” project that needs your vote:
Miami-Dade Parks Therapeutic Recreation Hub at Greynolds Park project is competing in a separate “Wild Card” category, for a chance to receive a $20,000 grant towards facility improvements. This Miami-Dade Parks project will help fund therapeutic recreation improvements, benefitting children with disabilities, ages 6-14, enrolled in MDPROS afterschool and summer camp programs at the Greynolds Park hub. 

You can vote for Miami-Dade Parks’ “Wild Card” project as a one-time write-in option at the registration prompt at NRPA.org/BeInspired. As shown below, simply enter your first/last name, email address, age and type in “Greynolds Park.”

Then click on the “continue” button, then enter “Miami/ FL,” to proceed to three Miami-Dade Parks project selections. Then vote for your park!

"Parks have immense power. They help families live healthier lives, connect kids to nature, increase kids' access to sports and so much more," said Barbara Tulipane, President and CEO of NRPA. "Parks Build Community is a great opportunity to share the power of parks during Earth Month while bringing essential funds to critical local park projects."

Don’t forget to keep voting for your favorite Miami-Dade Parks project at NRPA.org/Belnspired throughout April and show everyone how Miami-Dade Parks build your community. Visit NRPA.org/Belnspired.

Participants must be at least 18 years old to vote.  For a complete listing of voting eligibility rules visit http://www.parksbuildcommunity.org/public/fulfillment/rules.pdf.

About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department:
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. For information about Miami-Dade County Parks visit their website or call 3-1-1.

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. Visit the Parks Foundation website for more information.

To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (7 days in advance), call 305-755-7848.