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If you spend any amount of time in Miami-Dade County’s parks, you start to notice something important: they’re more than places to gather, where communities from diverse backgrounds connect, grow, and explore. That’s why a recent milestone for the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (PROS) feels especially meaningful
PROS achieved designation as a Certified Autism Center® through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES), marking an important step forward in how we think about access, inclusion and belonging in public spaces. For a park system that spans more than 13,000 acres and serves millions of residents, this designation isn’t just about recognition. It reflects a deeper shift, one that focuses on how every person experiences our parks.
Staff across the park system have completed specialized training in sensory awareness, communication strategies and inclusive engagement. These aren’t abstract concepts, they translate into real experiences for families navigating parks, programs and public spaces every day. For many families of individuals with autism or sensory sensitivities, something as simple as visiting a park can come with uncertainty. Will the environment feel overwhelming? Will the staff understand how to help? This recognition demonstrates that we have considered all of this and confidently provide a welcoming space. It also builds on a strong partnership with the University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (UM-NSU CARD), which has helped guide the County’s efforts to expand awareness, training, and inclusive practices.
This effort isn’t about checking a box, it’s about recognizing that inclusion requires intention, training and a willingness to see public spaces through the eyes of the people who use them. Across Miami-Dade County, that mindset is taking root. Through more intentional programming, enhanced training, and stronger community partnerships, our parks are evolving into spaces where more residents can participate fully, not just physically, but with a true sense of comfort, confidence and belonging.
As autism advocate Dr. Temple Grandin once said, “The world needs all kinds of minds.” That idea is especially relevant in our public spaces, where diversity should not only be accommodated, but embraced. And that’s the larger takeaway. Inclusion is not just a goal, it’s a responsibility, one that continues to shape how Miami-Dade County Parks serves our community every day. I’m incredibly proud of the Parks Department team for their hard work in securing this certification. I encourage the public to visit our facilities, participate in our programs, and experience the difference for themselves.
Learn more about our efforts by visiting miamidade.gov/parks and click on Therapeutic Recreation & Inclusion (TRI).
Christina White is the Director, Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department (PROS)
