The Miami-Dade Parks Department is dedicated to developing and maintaining a comprehensive systems of parks, zoological areas, cultural facilities, and land and recreational experiences for our community. We do this, in part, by providing facilities that are clean, safe and convenient and preserving and protecting valuable natural resources for current and future generations. An important part of our mission includes maintaining our facilities and parks in excellent condition as well as building new facilities in an effort to keep up with the increasing demands for open space and recreational opportunities in our growing community.

The Miami-Dade Parks Capital Improvement Division is leading the effort to improve our parks. This new division oversees all new construction and renovations in our park facilities and attractions.

Through special funds generated by the Safe Neighborhood Parks Act of 1996, Miami-Dade Parks is able to improve parks and natural areas. This measure was organized by a not-for-profit national organization, the Trust for Public Lands, and was sponsored locally by the Trust for Safe Neighborhood Parks, Inc. The Safe Neighborhood Parks Act will fund $200 million in county and municipal park capital improvements--ranging from athletic fields and picnic areas, to upgrades for people with disabilities and beach restoration.

Another initiative that will help provide the funds to improve our parks is the Quality Neighborhoods Improvement Program (QNIP). QNIP was approved in the FY 98 – 99 Budget by the Board of County Commissioners. It is a comprehensive neighborhood restoration program which sets aside $26 million dollars for sidewalk repairs and improvements, $7.5 million dollars for safe routes to schools, $70 million dollars for drainage improvements, $11 million dollars for resurfacing streets, and $28 million dollars for parks improvements. All QNIP capital projects will be completed within three years.

Many of these projects require extensive planning, design and construction. As these projects develop, we invite you to track our progress through this web page. We hope you find this site helpful as you see how the Miami-Dade Parks department works to serve your needs.