It’s great when everyone in a community, from government leaders and staff to area residents and businesses sponsoring special events get together and make activities successful, especially when it brings everyone together.
The Town of Cutler Bay’s recent event, the 10th annual bike ride, this year themed “Tour de Parks,” which took place on January 23rd, turned out great. Not only was the weather nice, but changes like the nine mile route that included stops at each of the Town’s four parks: Lakes by the Bay Park, Saga Bay Park, Saga Bay Lake Park, and Blue Heron Park worked out great.
With more than 60 residents of various ages participating, Mayor Bell and Council Member Roger Coriat taking part in the bike ride and Council Member Sue Ellen Loyzelle assisting town staff and volunteer groups in the facilitation of the event it was a winner. Town police officers escorted participants throughout the ride, which passed through several neighborhoods within the Cutler Bay community, including Saga Bay, Cantamar, Lakes by the Bay, and Isles of Bayshore. Members of the town staff handed out shiny new bike safety helmets that had been donated by AMSCOT Financial and the PedBike Florida Pedestrian & Bicycling Safety Resource Center, which is funded by the Florida Department of Transportation.
Other event sponsors who helped make the bike ride not only possible but successful were EnviroWaste Inc., Bike 305, Mack Cycle, Andante Bike Shop, Elite Fitness, Bike Safe, Walk Safe, and the Miami Dade Police Department’s Pedestrian Safety Section which provided the event with additional certified bike safety helmet fitters.
Another special event involving a bike ride as well as other activities is the Village of Palmetto Bay’s Mayor’s Fitness Challenge. That started on January 10th and is a 7-week program geared to helping residents lose weight and reach their individual health goals by using village programs and park amenities as well as sponsor/ partner resources. Those participating in the program received an initial wellness assessment administered by Baptist Health, which included weigh-in and body composition measurements. They also received a “goodie bag,” a Health Passport to track measurements, two passes to Yoga-by-the-Bay; and discounts and freebies from program partners.
Other activities being offered during the 7-week Mayor’s Challenge program include Sunday Beach Volleyball at Coral Reef Park, Sunday Bike Rides with the Mayor, and Friday Kickball at Palmetto Bay Park. Also, at the end of the Challenge the top male and female participants will be honored by Mayor Flinn during an award ceremony and will receive prizes during the Village’s Annual Celebration Picnic on March 5.
Sponsoring businesses and organizations for this program include Whole Foods Market, Baptist Health South Florida, Bike 305, Crossfit Demand, Everglades Bicycle Club, Fit 2 Run Superstore, Mack Cycle, Florida Department of Transportation, Affordable Acupuncture, ibeyond pilates, Giardino Gourmet Salads, Voices for Celebral Palsy, In Balance Physical Therapy, the Deering estate, Smoothie King and Lady Fit. Things like this are good for the businesses because it helps introduce them to residents in the community who might not otherwise know about what they have to offer, and they benefit the residents as well.
For information about this please go to www.palmettobay-fl.gov/content/get-fit-palmetto-bay-2016#Mayors_Fitness_Section.
For additional information regarding upcoming special Cutler Bay events please visit the Town’s website at www.cutlerbay-fl.gov or contact Frederick Bobson, Special Events Coordinator, Parks & Recreation Department at 305-234-4262 or by email to fbobson@cutlerbay-fl.gov.
Thought of the Day: No man is a failure who is enjoying life.
— William Feather
Gary Alan Ruse contributed to this column.
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