Miami-Dade County Parks and Recreation  has been awarded the prestigious Governor's Sterling Award for 2009. The award recognizes organizations and businesses that have successfully achieved performance excellence within their management and operations.

Parks and open spaces are the keys to quality of life. If you've ever rolled down the hill at Greynolds Park, been to a wedding at the Deering Estate, hopped on the merry-go-round at Crandon Park, or fed a giraffe at Metrozoo, then you have experienced one of Miami-Dade County's more than 250 parks and open spaces.

We understand that without a great system of parks and open spaces we will not have livable communities that sustain business and education, and provide residents and visitors a greener, healthier place to live, work and play.

Our democracy has from its very beginning cherished our public places - the town common, the village green, and the open spaces around our cities. We cherish our park system and we are proud to be a shining - make that “sterling” - example.

Read more on the 2009 Governor's Sterling Award Recipients.

Sincerely,

Mayor Carlos Alvarez