More from the Orchid's and Onion's Awards.

Pictured above are UEL Treasurer Babara Falsey and Deputy Director of Parks, Alex Munoz. Munoz accepted the award presented to Howard Gregg, his predecessor at Parks and Recreation. This was the copy from the award he received for "Lifetime Achievement in Planning":

Howard Gregg’s contributions to the Miami Dade County Park and Recreation system over his 34 year career are too numerous to mention. To mention just a few: under his leadership the Department more than doubled its land holdings, from 6,000 to 12,000 acres; he helped establish the Natural Areas Management Division (NAM) which restores natural habitat; and he recently led the development of the Park and Open Space System Master Plan; a 50 year vision for making Miami-Dade County a healthier and more livable community. We wish him well in retirement in the land of orchids – Hawaii.

Pictured below is UEL intern, Jenny Leizerovich, posing with City of Miami Mayor, Tomas Regalado. Mayor Regalado was there to present an award to Grace Solares as "Best Neighborhood Activist."

Do We Want Cell Towers in Miami Dade Parks?

County Commissioner Joe Martinez put this on the Agenda of the Recreation & Cultural Affairs Committee and it passed. It will soon go before the entire County Commission:

RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COUNTY MAYOR OR MAYOR’S DESIGNEE TO PREPARE AND ISSUE A COMPETITIVE SOLICITATION FOR INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF COMMUNICATION TOWERS IN CERTAIN PARKS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT AND TO MITIGATE FURTHER REDUCTIONS IN STAFF, MAINTENANCE AND PROGRAMMING

The Vote:

Forwarded with a favorable recommendation as amended
Mover: Carlos A. Gimenez
Seconder: Javier D. Souto
Vote: 4 - 0
Excused: Heyman , Sosa

Miami Dade Parks Summit - March 5th with a Free Lunch! By Barbara Falsey

I will be attending the Park Summit event at Fairchild -- it is always a good event so let friends and co-workers know about the Miami Dade County Park Summit. This year’s theme will be Partnerships/An Economic, Social and Environmental Health Plan.

Please be sure to RSVP to erich@miamidade.gov as their will be a continental breakfast and box lunch.

After the 8 to 2pm program you can spend the rest of the day at Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden.

The Miami Dade County Website says:

Miami-Dade County is facing the same population growth issues as many other metropolitan areas, a diminished quality of life, increased congestion, declining recreation and conservation open space, visual blight, limited transportation options and social inequities. With the population expected to increase by three million residents in the year 2025 and up to 4.5 million by 2060, additional pressure will be placed on an already stressed physical, social, and economic environment.

This Park and Open Space System Master Plan envisions that great parks, public spaces, natural and cultural areas, streets, greenways, blueways, and trails can form the framework for a more sustainable community. Such a plan for the public realm cannot be considered as an isolated system, but one that is integrated into the overall fabric of the community and one that will create the kind of place where residents want to live, employers want to do business, and tourists want to visit.

The goal of this Master Planning process is to “create a seamless, sustainable system of parks, recreation and conservation open spaces for this and future generations."

Miami Dade County Park Summit is March 5th

UEL Members have participated in the Park Summit in the past. It is an informative event.


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