City renames park in honor of Samson family
By Bari Auerbach

The Sunny Isles Beach City Commission recently approved a resolution renaming the Gilbert Samson Memorial Park (Collins Avenue and 174th Street) to the "Samson Oceanfront Park" in honor of the late Mayor David Samson and his family.

On July 21, 2000 the park was originally dedicated during a festive celebration, as the community gathered for a gala ribbon cutting ceremony at the new park located directly on the ocean. At the time, Mayor David Samson, members of the City Commission and city staff welcomed all in attendance including special guest Sen. Gwen Margolis, who was instrumental in helping Sunny Isles Beach become a city.

Following the presentation of colors by the Sunny Isles Beach police Honor Guard and a beautiful rendition of the national anthem sung by Lissette Gonzalez, Miami-Dade County's Miss Florida 1998, Mayor Samson made the following remarks:

"On behalf of the city of Sunny Isles Beach, I'd like to welcome you here to celebrate the dedication of this beautiful new park. Our dream of having an oceanfront park in Sunny Isles Beach is now a reality thanks to grants from the Safe Neighborhood Parks Bond Program, the Florida Community Trust and the Florida Recreation Department Assistance Program. We also have other parks being developed that will be completed in the near future."

The Mayor went on to say touching words in honor of his late son Gilbert Samson, for whom the oceanfront park was originally named.

"Gilbert Samson was born in Chicago in 1945 and passed on in 1981 at the age of 36. He was married with two wonderful children and lived and worked in South Florida. He was a good and loving son...a wonderful person with desires like yours and mine to raise a family in peace and harmony. He wanted to see the community achieve goals now and in the future benefiting all citizens.

"My wife Marion and I know Gilbert is now looking down from heaven smiling and happy that Sunny Isles Beach has created a park for the South Florida community. This is a place where children and people of all ages will be able to come to enjoy the beauty of the ocean and park facilities for many years to come. Thank you for being a part of today's dedication and making it possible to commemorate Gilbert Samson."

Flashing forward to the March 17, 2004 City Commission meeting when the resolution was approved to rename the park the "Samson Oceanfront Park," Commissioner Roslyn Brezin noted, "By doing this, we are honoring David Samson and we are also honoring our first lady (Marion Samson) for whom we all certainly have a great deal of respect for.This honor is for the whole family including Gilbert Samson."

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