MIAMI – The Tamiami Park Recreation Center in southwest Miami-Dade County receives an upgrade thanks to the South Florida community.
The Tamiami Park Recreation Center helps children with physical and developmental disabilities and was in need of major repairs.
"I'm just so excited. I'm excited for our staff. I'm excited for the kids," said Lucy Binhack with Miami-Dade County Parks.
More than $70,000 worth of work and materials was donated. Home Depot donated materials, including ceiling tiles and floors.
"I grew up in Buccaneer Park in Miami-Dade County. Helping them out -- they helped me out to get my life back together, to not run the streets and give me a place to call home after school," said David Cuellar with Home Depot.
General contractors Odebrecht did the electrical and plumbing and supervised the installation work.
"It's been a very rewarding experience. The people come in -- the people who actually work in the facility -- and help the people here in the county with disabilities," said Tommy Valentine with Odebrecht. "You feel good when you help those people."
Fence Masters donated a $12,000 fence.
"It's great to be able to help out with a cause like this," said Steve Ernst with Fence Masters.
The work has made quite a difference at the center, which has changed little in the last 40 years.
"When we raise up one area of the community, we raise up everybody, and in this particular situation, we're raising up a lot of kids with disabilities," said Binhack.
The Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department Out-of-School programs are funded in part by The Children's Trust. The Children's Trust is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in Miami-Dade County.
Local 10 would also like to thank CIC (Commercial Interior Contractors), Tiger Direct, Office Depot, Waste Management, Publix Super Markets and Michelson's Trophies for their donations to the Tamiami Park Recreation Center renovation.