Improve county parks

Miami-Dade County parks provide residents with the opportunity to enjoy nature in their own neighborhoods.

Beyond being places where children play, families picnic and residents walk their dogs, parks are fundamental to the prosperity and health of surrounding residents.

Unfortunately, because of the lack of funds still lingering from the effects of the recession, Miami-Dade parks are suffering from a lack of maintenance.

In my own neighborhood park, there is overgrown grass that attracts mosquitoes, pests and trash.

In addition to the direct negative affects, overgrown grass also makes parks uninviting and difficult for residents to enjoy.

As town hall budget meetings get under way this month throughout the county, I hope that parks are a priority and strongly urge Miami-Dade county commissioners to approve the mayor’s proposed increase in funding for our parks.