LTC 263-2007 Parks and Recreation News
m MIAMBEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
NO. LTC # 263-2007
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CITY t;Ltvit~i'S t)i=t~ii;tr:
LETTER TO COMMISSION
To: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager `~ ~
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DATE: November 27 2007 ~' ~J
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SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation News
Hispanic Heritage Festival -The second annual Hispanic Heritage Festival at the North
Shore Park and Youth Center was held on Friday, October 12tH, 2007. The festivities began
with an award ceremony presented by the City and the Hispanic Affairs Committee to local
residents in recognition of their community involvement. As the award ceremony came to an
end, more than 1,647 attendees re-filled their plates with piccadillo, arroz con polio,
churrasco and much more. The participants from the After-School programs from North
Shore Park, Scott Rakow Youth Center, Muss and Flamingo Park performed dances to the
music of Celia Cruz, Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and much more.
A Night of Creepy Tale
October 19tH, 2007 at the
Many participants wore c
of creepy tales, carnival
families enjoyed making 1
carnival games.
> and Fun -Nearly 500 people showed up on the evening of
>cott Rakow Youth Center for "A Night of Creepy Tales and Fun".
stumes, taking part in a fun filled event which included the telling
ames and roasted marshmallows over a fire. Children and their
ieir very first "s'more",while others were busy winning prizes at the
Halloween Dance- The North Shore Park and Youth Center recently held a dance on
Friday, October 26tH, 2007. The day was muggy, but that wasn't enough to stop the 400 plus
kids that came to "Boo"-gie down. The majority of the crowd was dressed in black and
orange showing their Halloween spirit. Music was provided by the Teen Club's Hip-Hop
Workshop's, Dj Kid Fresh and mentor Bo Durty.
Youth Duathlon- The Parks & Recreation Department hosted its first Youth Duathlon for
children athletes from 7 to 15 years of age. The event was held at Flamingo Park on October
27tH 2007. The Youth Duathlon course was comprised of a half-mile track run, followed by a
300 yard pool swim, followed by another half-mile track run to the finish. All participants
received a technical running t-shirt and a medal upon completion.
Halloween Safe Night
decided that a little rail
Halloween spirit. They c
enjoy. The second floc
haunted house and eacl
spots surprising the kid:
enjoyed music and snac
if Fright -The Staff at the North Shore Park and Youth Center
and wind from Tropical Storm Noel would not damper their
~eated a memorable afternoon for 500 after school members to
of the North Shore Park and Youth Center was turned into a
room was decorated into themes with coaches hiding in various
. The gymnasium was turned into a dance floor where the kids
;s until it was their time to venture through the "Haunted House".
Special Olympic State Games -The Special Olympics recently held their Fall Classic State
Games in Orlando Florida, on November 2"d through the 4th. The athletes competed for
medals in events such as bowling, rollerblading, power lifting and softball. Three athletes
from the City of Miami Beach were selected to compete in the bowling competition based on
their scores from the Miami-Dade County Special Olympic Local Games held in October at
Bird Bowl in South Miami. The upcoming Summer Games will consist of Track & Field,
Basketball, Bocce, Soccer, Tennis and Cycling to be held at Miami-Dade College. We
congratulate all the athletes that participated in the Fall Classic State Games as they are all
winners.
Bowling Fun for the Family -The Bowling lanes were full to capacity as Miami Beach
residents came together on November 8, 2007, for a free night of "Bowling Fun for the
Family" at the Scott Rakow Youth Center. Attendees enjoyed complementary snacks and
refreshments, along with fun and entertainment, as they bowled the night away with their
friends and family members. Children enjoyed taking part in a "Lightning Strike Round,"
which allowed them to win a prize if they bowled a strike.
Autumn Fun Fair -The North Shore Park and Youth Center proudly presented its 2nd
Annual "Autumn Fun Fair" to 900 attendees on Friday November 16th, 2007 from 6-9pm.
Dance performances, games, food, music, arts & crafts exhibits and a petting zoo were
some of the many activities. In the spirit of the Thanksgiving holiday, event goers had an
opportunity to "test their appetite" in a pie eating contest. Goats, pigs, and baby chicks were
some of the animals exhibited in the petting zoo area. Hay rides were available as
passengers listened to haunted tales. And of course, children performances presented by
the City's after school programs from North Shore Park, Scott Rakow Youth Center, and
Flamingo Park were a big Hit!!
Wellness Expo -Parks and Recreation Department has teamed up with Miami-Dade
County Mayor Carlos Alvarez to host the upcoming 2"d Annual "Initiative on Aging Miami
Beach Wellness Expo" to be held at the North Shore Park and Youth Center on Tuesday,
November 27th, 2007. The expo will begin promptly at 8 a.m. and will consist of health
screenings and flu shots free of charge to seniors. The free testing will last until 1 p.m.
accompanied with a special appearance by Mayor Alvarez, who will speak to the seniors on
the importance of healthy living.
New Restrooms AtPAL - The City of Miami Beach, with cooperation from the Miami Beach
Police Athletic League p ut forth maximum effort this year in creating new and improved
restrooms at the PAL Buil ding at Flamingo Park. The newly constructed restrooms are solely
for youth participants an d will separate PAL gym members and other adult programming
from the children. The ne w restrooms were an overdue addition considering that the after
school program has grow n from 25 participants in 2002, to over 175 current enrollees.
Should hav additional questions, please contact Kevin Smith at (305) 673-7730
JM / /rm
c: Rob rt ~. Middaugh, Assistant City Manager
Kevin Smith, Parks & Recreation Director
Julio Magrisso, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director