Chairwoman Edmonson Breaks Ground on New Community Center

MIAMI-DADE – Miami-Dade County Commission Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson helped break ground on a new community recreation center at Biscayne Shores and Gardens Park on May 24.

Chairwoman Edmonson participates in the ribbon-cutting on the new nature-oriented playground at Biscayne Shores and Gardens Park.The 3,013-square-foot center will contain a multi-purpose room, an office for park staff, restrooms and storage spaces. The new development will include a 20-vehicle lighted parking lot, walkway lighting, sidewalks and landscape improvements.

“I am thrilled to break ground on this new project, which will revitalize Biscayne Shores and Gardens Park and build neighborhood pride,” said Chairwoman Edmonson, Commissioner for District 3. “When completed, the center will be the jewel of this park and a hub for social activity in this community.

The community center will offer after-school programs and seasonal and summer camps for children, activities and classes for active older adults, and weekend rentals for special occasions such as birthday parties.

The park also features a new nature-based playground which opened in April following a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Chairwoman Edmonson. It features climbing, sliding and swinging components, all designed to complement the natural surroundings and immerse children in nature. The improvements also included a 20-by-20-foot picnic shelter, new benches, walkways and lush landscaping throughout the park.

“This park, right in the middle of a changing community, wasn’t always this inviting. There were overgrown trees, making it easy for people to hide to do unpleasant and distasteful things; evening visitors would leave tons of trash,” Chairwoman Edmonson said. “The Parks Department undertook a multi-year massive clean-up effort to clear out brush and add lighting. Now the park also boasts a playground and picnic shelter which I’m sure will be quite popular.”