Join the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department and Miami-Dade County Commission Vice Chair Lynda Bell (District 8) at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, as they break ground for new recreational amenities at the 9.75-acre Debbie Curtin Park, located at 22820 SW 112 Avenue in Miami. The development plan includes a children’s playground spanning approximately 2,700 square-feet, a concrete walking path that’s approximately one half-mile long and eight feet wide, an access road, paved parking, and site furniture. The entire site will also be re-contoured to improve storm water drainage and beautified with Bahia sod and Live Oak and flowering trees. “Debbie Curtin devoted her life to public service and making our community a better place to live,” said Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “Today, we honor her work by expanding the amenities at the park that bears her name, increasing the opportunity for enjoyment for all who visit Debbie Curtin park.” “It is an honor to break ground for new development at this site,” said Commissioner Bell. “Debbie always put neighbors first and soon neighboring families and their children will have new play and exercise spaces to keep them healthy and fit.” “This is a milestone for Debbie Curtin Park,” said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys. “These enhancements will complement the peaceful beauty of this special place and encourage more people to visit for years to come.” The project is a product of the Miami-Dade County Parks Design and Build Team working in conjunction with the community planning and design firm of Glatting, Jackson, Kercher, Anglin, Inc. The cost for the improvements will total around $865,000 and will be funded by Impact Fees and a Community Development Block Grant. For more information about this park, call (305) 257-0310 (Homestead Air Reserve Park), or visit www.miamidade.gov/parks. Formerly known as Palm Glades Park, the park was renamed and opened in 2010 as Debbie Curtin Park in memory of the late Team Metro Director Debbie Curtin. Curtin, who served in several leadership roles during her career with Miami-Dade County (1975-2001), is best known for her enhancements to the quality of community life as the founding Director for Team Metro. In this position, Curtin established eight Team Metro offices that provided residents with direct services and assistance in navigating through County procedures. In conjunction with this effort, she established the Citizens Academy, a program which further focused on bringing County government and services closer to the people. Upon retiring from Miami-Dade County, in 2001, Curtin focused her energies on her own personal battle with cancer, and to the prevention of the disease as Chair for the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Miami Unit. At ACS, Curtin organized such fundraisers as ‘Relay for Life’ and ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,’ and lobbied the Florida legislature and the U.S. Congress on ACS issues. She passed away on August 11, 2008, and that same year, the ACS honored her posthumously for her distinguished service. 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 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.liveaparklife.org. 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.
