Miami-Dade leaders gather to celebrate improvements to Oak Grove Park
From David Volz
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Miami-Dade County District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime and Miami-Dade County Parks Assistant Director Joe Cornely gathered to cut the ribbon on the new soccer field and other park improvements at Oak Grove Park.
The new soccer field is named Ernst Zenono Jean-Baptist Soccer Field in honor of the Haitian soccer legend and star. He has been respected by the Miami-Dade soccer community for his contributions to the development of soccer in South Florida.
The field naming is the result of a Miami-Dade County resolution sponsored by Commissioner Monestime and approved by the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners. Jean-Baptiste, a living legend, played soccer for the famed Fort Lauderdale Strikers and served as coach for the Haitian National Soccer Team. He was instrumental in organizing the historic 2004 “Game of Peace” between Brazil’s and Haiti’s national soccer teams. He also held the position of soccer coach for Miami-Dade College from 1984 to 1989, taking the team to the national championship finals twice.
In addition to the new synthetic turf soccer playing field, complete with new sports field lighting, the improvements include a field drainage system, free Wi-Fi, new bleachers, enhanced landscaping, and ADA accessible updates to the 21.71-acre park, which is home to the Father Gerard Jean Juste Community Center. In addition to the Community Recreation Center, existing park amenities include tennis courts, a recreational swimming pool, a splash pad, a playground, and walking paths.
Miami-Dade County Mayor Levine Cava said, “This new soccer field is a wonderful addition to Oak Grove Park, which is the heart of this community. We are proud of the great work that Miami-Dade Parks is doing across the parks system to create more spaces for children and families to stay active and develop an appreciation for the outdoors. Accessible green spaces are key to building strong, healthy, and resilient communities. Soccer is a key way to bring community together and this new asset will benefit the young and young at heart.”
“I am very pleased to see this new development at Oak Grove Park,” said Miami-Dade District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestime. “Given this community’s passion for the sport of soccer, the new field improvements will surely enhance the experiences of those who enjoy playing and watching the sport.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate the new soccer field, bleachers, enhanced landscaping, and complimentary Wi-Fi at Oak Grove Park that enhance Miami-Dade County residents’ access to exceptional recreational experiences in a beautiful park,” said Miami-Dade Parks Director Maria I. Nardi. “These improvements are part of the implementation of the Miami-Dade County Parks and Open Space Masterplan: a community-inspired vision to create a seamless, sustainable, equitable system of parks, recreation and open spaces for this and future generations.”
Pompano Beach to host a drone show
From David Volz
Pompano Beach will be the location for a spectacular Drone Show. The evening sky will be filled with over 200 brightly lit drones in a choreographed presentation coordinated by world-class artists, pilots and engineers.
The Drone Show was scheduled as part of the opening of The Fisher Family Pier back in April. Unfortunately, a lightening show and torrential downpour took centerstage that night. But, Pompano Beach leaders promised this should would take place, and it will on Saturday, November 12th at 7:00 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. The pier will be closed for this event, but people should gather on the south side of the Fisher Family Pier for a unique presentation that has delighted fans at global events like the Super Bowl and the Olympics! With an unobstructed view, the Drone Show can be seen for up to five miles.
