It is our belief that children are the “jewels” of every community and the very “heart” of our parks. As such, the City of Miami Parks and Recreation Department extends an open invitation for all citizens and visitors to experience the diverse programs and facilities available through the City.

Our summer camps and after-school programs provide a balance between the mental and physical development of our children. The summer concert series, athletic leagues, learn-to-swim and arts and culture activities are all part of the recreation package that helps to bring the family together. We like to say we are the “Good News” department, that serves everyone in the community with enriching programming. We work collaboratively with various agencies and non-profit organizations in an ever-expanding effort to serve the public with new opportunities to learn, share and take away something good.

Technology has changed the world in ways we could never imagine. Video games, televisions and the internet are all competing for the attention of our young people. Entertainment as an activity has transcended what was common many years ago. Music, virtual reality and celebrity icons compete for a child’s fertile imagination and attention. While we understand the curiosity and the dynamics of youth, we are committed to providing a balance of entertainment that involves family, communication, positive relationships and a guide to conflict resolution in a healthy environment.

· We want to teach young people what leisure time is and how to use it   productively.
· We want to challenge our youth to grasp opportunity with activities such as sky  diving, scuba diving, sailing or flying a plane in an effort to take them out of their comfort zone and show them that anything is possible if you try.
· We want to encourage a respect for the environment and a protection of our natural resources.
· We want to CELEBRATE our youth with challenging programs.

It is our intent to provide an environment where dreams become realities and translates into success for all of our participants. If you can feel the rhythm, you will understand our parks are meant to be the “heartbeat” of our community, where memories are created for a lifetime and the path to a successful future is started in our parks.

Ernest Burkeen, Director