By Susan Simpson, Cultural Human Services Director

Independence Day 2009 marked the re-opening of a popular community park in Sunny Isles Beach, Senator Gwen Margolis Park located at 17815 North Bay Road.  This park, originally opened in 2000, received a major renovation and upgrade as part of the City’s Central Island Drainage Project, one of many of the City’s significant Capital Improvement Projects.  The improved park includes enhancements such as: new drainage system and turf for the soccer field, restrooms, a paved walking path, new safety surfacing and fencing for the children’s playground, lush landscaping and parking.  Most notably, “A Caterpillar’s Dream, Sunny Isles Beach Blue” is a beautiful large butterfly statue by Rein Triefeldt that sits at the southwest end of the park.  The butterfly symbolizes new beginnings and transformations and with it’s wings, the freedom that we hold dear as a nation as so eloquently stated by Mayor Norman Edelcup as he dedicated the statue and the new park.  The ceremony was complete with a live butterfly release that left hundreds of butterflies fluttering around the statue and guests as they made their way throughout the new park.   

An honored guest, Senator Gwen Margolis, the park’s namesake, spoke of the value of this community park, a gathering place for residents, and the importance of local government to provide these facilities and to be accessible to the people and respond to their needs.  This park is a perfect example of the many advantages of living in Sunny Isles Beach. 

Also honored at the event were Lee Liebman and George Newman as the City dedicated a park bench in each of their names.  The benches were on display for the ceremony, dedicated to each of them for their many contributions to the City of Sunny Isles Beach.  The George Newman Park Bench is now located at Town Center Park.  The Lee Liebman Park Bench can be visited at Pelican Community Park but will be relocated to Heritage Park upon its completion. 

With the traditional red ribbon cutting, the park was officially opened to over 500 guests who enjoyed an event filled with music, games with Uncle Sam the GameMaster, crafts, the traditional 4th of July hotdog and refreshments complete with an exhibition soccer game to officially open the new soccer field.  The City of Sunny Isles Beach Team hosted the Surfside Cyclones in an exciting game that, tied 1 to 1, went into a shoot out with Sunny Isles Beach reigning victorious over Surfside for a home team win.  The players and coaches were eager to be the first to play on the new field and are greatly looking forward to the upcoming fall soccer season where they can practice and play home games on this, their field of dreams.  

Just as before, the Bone Zone, the City’s dog park, is located at the northeast end of the park right next to the historical horse and buggy from the former Colonial Inn hotel that has graced this park since being donated by the Dezer Family and has become a photo stop for residents and visitors.

We invite you to use the park, walk the path, play in the playground, and let your dog run around unfettered in the Bone Zone, sit in the shade and enjoy the beautiful landscaping.  The park will be open 7 days per week from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  For questions / concerns regarding the park improvements, please call Public Works at 305.792.1711.  For information regarding the soccer program or other park programs, please call the Cultural and Human Services Department at 305.792.1706.