Top: (L-R:) State Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, Miami Commission Chair Joe Sanchez, Miami Commissioner Tomas Regalado, Miami Commissioner Angel Gonzalez, County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa and City of Miami Manager Pete Hernandez pose in front of one of the pools at the newly open Grapeland Water Park.  Bottom: More than 100 children from the City’s parks took the first dip in the new Grapeland Water Park’s pools and were the first to enjoy the many slides the facility has to offer.  Photo: Jorge R. Perez/City of Miami

(Miami, Florida)—City of Miami Mayor Manny Diaz and Commissioner Angel Gonzalez, joined by Pop artist Romero Britto, members of the City and County Commissions, City Manager Pete Hernandez and area neighbors today celebrated the grand opening of the new Grapeland Water Park during a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening Ceremony. As part of the grand opening event, a group of more than 100 children and seniors from the City’s parks took the first dip in the pools and were the first to enjoy the many slides the facility has to offer.

Grapeland Water Park has four different pools with artwork by Romero Britto.  The facility includes water playground equipment for children 5 and older, a pool for children under 5 years, a 600-foot meandering pool and a resort type pool for adults with a beach entry. The design/build firm for the project is Recreational Design and Construction, Inc. The water park is one component of a 13-acre active park which also incorporates a baseball complex with 4 fields, and a Community Center/Recreational Building consisting of two (2) multipurpose rooms, an art room, and a computer room. The estimated project cost is $20,369,988 with funding provided by Miami Dade County Building Better Communities (GOB), MSEA Contribution & Impact Fees.

Grapeland Water Park is located at 1550 NW 37 Avenue, adjacent to SR836 and Douglas Road (NW 37 Avenue). This easy-access park is sure to draw both local and out of town water enthusiasts. Admission prices are free for those 3 and under, $5 for ages 4 thru 13, $7 for city residents 14 and older, and $10 for non-city residents 14 and older. Lounge chairs will be available on a first come first serve basis.

Summer hours will be 9 am until 8 pm and winter hours will run October thru April from 11 am until 5 pm. Group reservations will be required for groups bigger than 15 people and are recommended 2 weeks in advance.

For more information about the park, visit www.miamigov.com or by call 311 or the park directly at 305-960-2950.