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Miami Gardens parks are open and ready to serve the community. It’s been a challenging year with consistent reminders of social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing.
Fortunately, one thing that has remained constant is Parks and Recreation’s dedication to bettering the health of its community. As parks have reopened, Jackie Shakespeare, Assistant Director of Miami Gardens Parks and Recreation, is ready for an active season.
“Summer is here, let’s get outside and enjoy our parks,” she said.
During the pandemic, the Parks Department relied on YouTube to create programming through Virtual Parks and Recreation (VPR) which included videos on DIY projects, workouts, games, recipes and arts and crafts. “We will continue VPR,” Shakespeare said.
But now, “Residents can play basketball, tennis, enjoy our playgrounds, work out in a fitness center, and participate in organized sports. In the next month we will resume classes and various sports to include line dancing, Zumba, soccer, basketball, coding, youth orchestra, drumline and martial arts.”
The Department is also offering a summer day camp for K-5 students at A.J. King, Carol City and Rolling Oaks Parks. A camp for sixth-to-12th-grade students is available at Norwood Park and a STEAM camp for third- to-eighth-grade students is available at Bunche Park. Youth football and cheer programs for children ages six to 13 are also available.
If the heat is getting to you, head to the pools at Bunche and Norwood Parks for a relaxing dip or free swimming lessons for adults and children. Bunche Park offers aqua fitness classes Mondays to Thursdays and Saturdays, and stay on the lookout for improvements as the center becomes an alternative sports facility offering wrestling, lacrosse, indoor soccer, gymnastics, an indoor walking trail and boxing.
Just northwest of Bunche Park, a 15,000-square-foot Senior Family Center opened in July.
“It has various meeting rooms for classes, programs, rentals, fitness center, computer lab, outdoor pavilion and patio space, and an outdoor walking trail,” said Shakespeare. Indoor and outdoor rentals are available for meetings, baby showers, birthday parties and more.
Although the worst of the pandemic is behind us, masks are still suggested for visitors in parks, and Park employees are required to wear masks.
To learn more, call 305-622-8080.
