Volunteers armed with an assortment of garden tools attacked noxious vines and invasive exotics as they cleaned up South Miami’s All-America Park on Saturday, November 3rd. About 45 sturdy volunteers, employees of South Miami Hospital, were donating their precious time on a beautiful weekend morning as part of Baptist Health South Florida’s “Day of Caring for Our Community.”
City Arborist Doug Baker identified the All-America Park as the one most overdue for a good freshening up. Remarking on the progress made by the volunteers, Baker said, “They accomplished a great deal today removing vines that were covering trees and exotics that really needed to go. I’m very proud to be a part of this and I thank all the volunteers for their work.”
The Day of Caring allows employees of the Hospital to give a little something back to the community and is part of a series of events over two weekends that include communities in which other healthcare facilities of Baptist Health South Florida are located.
“Our employees enjoy spending time with their families while volunteering for the Day of Caring and we are very proud to be part of the South Miami community,” said Lincoln Mendez, CEO of South Miami Hospital.
Also in attendance were Mayor Phil Stoddard, Vice Mayor Josh Liebman and Commissioner Walter Harris from the City of South Miami. As the Mayor removed a rather healthy Philodendron vine from a well-established live oak tree he said, “We are saving this tree from being smothered by vines and potentially damaged by high winds from hurricanes and other storms.”
Commissioner Harris was engaged in dumping load after load of unwanted vegetable matter. “This is a great thing for the community and I’d like to see if we can arrange more days like this,” said the Commissioner.
All-America Park is located at 6820 SW 64th Avenue in South Miami. It is a passive park in a natural setting with a variety of native trees. There are a number of limestone benches scattered around the park and among the many native birds that frequent the place, you may have the opportunity to watch a small parade of Peacocks or Pea Hens who roam free. For more information about the Park, go to www.southmiamifl.gov.
South Miami Hospital prides itself on innovative medical programs such as the Center for Robotic Surgery, the Center for Women and Infants, South Miami Heart Center and a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The hospital is located at 6200 Southwest 73rd Street.
Baptist Health South Florida, the region’s largest faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare organization includes Baptist, Baptist Children’s, Doctors, Homestead, Mariners, South Miami and West Kendall Baptist Hospitals, as well as Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute, Baptist Outpatient Services and Baptist Health Enterprises.
