29 Jan SOUTHEAST OVERTOWN / PARK WEST COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGEN CY AWARDED $75,000 GRANT FROM HEALTH FOUNDATION FOR NEW PLAYGROUND
Grant will fund new playground at Town Park Plaza North in Overtown.
(Miami, FL) — The Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) received
a $75,000 grant from the Health Foundation of South Florida to support the construction of a new
playground at Town Park Plaza North (“Town Park North”).
“I would like to thank the Health Foundation of South Florida for their grant of $ 75,000 for the construction of a new playground at Town Park North. This effort will assist in our goal of
providing safe places for our children to play,” said CRA Chairman and City of Miami, District 5
Commissioner Keon Hardemon.
The construction of the playground is part of the CRA’s ongoing efforts to increase opportunities for daily physical activity among Overtown’s youth by building safe play and exercise spaces within the community. The playground at Town Park North will feature engaging
new play structures, swings, rubber safety surfacing, a large canopy, benches and fencing. Additional improvements surrounding the park will include landscaping and sidewalk repairs.
Town Park North is one of the oldest and largest multi-family housing developments in Overtown.
Most of the original playground equipment that was installed 40 years ago has since been removed
because of safety concerns. Therefore, the construction of the new playground is a welcome
addition to rehab work currently underway at Town Park North. The CRA financed project includes
the interior and exterior rehabilitation of 169 units, the design and construction of new water and sewer utilities, and site work across the complex.
The rehab work is being carried out by Mastermind Construction, which has committed to providing additional funding up to $30,000 to help cover construction and equipment costs of the new playground. Tim Smathers, President of Mastermind Construction said, “I wholeheartedly
believe that the proposed playground is an essential part of this rehabilitation effort… it is
important that we create a safe place within the community for children to socialize, play, and get the exercise they need to stay healthy.”
About the Health Foundation of South Florida
Health Foundation of South Florida, a nonprofit grant making organization is dedicated to improving health in Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. By funding providers and
supporting programs to promote health and prevent disease, the Foundation makes a measurable
and sustainable impact in the health of individuals and families. Since 1993, the Foundation has
awarded more than $113million in grants and program support. For more information, please call
305.374.7200 or visit the website, www.hfsf.org.
About the Southeast Overtown / Park West CRA
The Southeast Overtown / Park West Community Redevelopment Agency is one of three
community redevelopment agencies within the municipal boundaries of the City of Miami. The CRA
was created to promote and encourage the redevelopment of the Overtown and Park West communities. The main objective of the CRA is to spearhead new development and redevelopment efforts that accomplish beneficial revitalization within its boundaries. For more information, contact (305) 679-6800 or visit the website at www.miamicra.com/seopwcra