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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Virginia Key Beach Park Trust 2011 Annual ReportVirginia Ke,, beac rark ru5t 2011 Annual Report to the City of Miami SUB' ITTED INTO THE PU L C RECORD FOR 1TELthi ON 2 /2-0011-1.5- Submi \,(1 r caf--(4 2©f (7)c. OF V rginia Key Beach rark Trust M15510N STATEMENT Our mission is to carry forward the vision for the development and use of Virginia Key Beach Park, promoting and maintaining absolute public ownership and access, fostering its perpetuation as a passive open green - space that includes nature trails, recreational facilities and museum structures appropriate and compatible with the nature of Virginia Key; preserving it as a valuable resource to be enjoyed for posterity, and to honor the rich historical legacy of the social and civil rights history of South Florida. Virginia Ke9 5eac6 rark Trust Annual Report to the City of Miami 1) Whether the board is serving the purpose for which it was created. Since its inception the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust has continued to fulfill its charge to restore Historic Virginia Key Beach Park and upgrade its facilities for public use. Historic, cultural and environmental interpretation through events, activities, lectures and general programming have taken the lead in response to public demand and community use. Planning and design of the cultural center at Historic Virginia Key Beach Park is underway. Outdoor exhibits and interpretive sianaae for the Historic Beach Park is in the fabrication phase. 2) Whether the board is serving current community needs. The Trust has continued to strive for the highest level of recreational, picnic and public facilities in South Florida. Success has been seen in the increasing number of families and community -based organizations that have partnered with and use the Historic Beach Park facilities on a regular basis. The Trust has continued to embrace diverse public use of the Historic Beach Park property for recreation, education and enjoyment. Historic and cultural education is a central theme in the interpretation of the Historic Beach Park's future development and programming; the community's desire to see the rich cultural history of the Historic Beach Park preserved is paramount to our purpose. The Trust is working to fulfill public demand for bike and walking trails, additional recreation features and facility upgrades. Submitted Into the public record in connection Witt at • on 0310g1I2 Priscilla A. Thompson City Clerk 3 3) A list of the board's major accomplishments. Major accomplishments during FY 2010-2011: The Trust reinvigorated its fundraising efforts and worked to build more partnerships with local corporate and environmental partners. A new lead sponsor of the Virginia Kev Beach Park Trust Larry Little Legends Golf Classic (Calder Race Track & Casino); the successful 2nd Annual Florida Renaissance Festival, Kick -Off to Calle Ocho, Kiwanis Carnaval Run at Historic Virginia Kev Beach Park, and Cystic Fibrosis Fundraising Walk and a new multi -year agreement with the Grassroots festival of Music & Dance highlighted 2011. Historic, cultural and environmental interpretation took a step forward during the planning and design phase of the comprehensive interpretive signage and outdoor exhibit project conducted by Haley Sharp Design. The Army Corps of Engineers and the City of Miami agreed to complete the Virginia Key Section 1135 Ecosystem Restoration Project which will transform more than 20 acres of the Historic Beach Park landscape into a native hardwood hammock and recreation park space. A new contractor selection process and construction timeline has moved this multi-vear Army Corps proiect closer to completion. The Trust completed the construction of a new playground on Historic Virginia Kev Beach Park. The playground proiect was completed with the help of a matching grant. The Trust strengthened and expanded its partnerships and programming with the Biscayne Nature Center Sea Grass Adventures, cultural tours from HistoryMiami, the 5th vear of the YMCA Marine Biology Summer Camp and a programming prospect in Nature Links for Lifelong Learning. 4) Whether there is any other board, either public or private, which would better serve the function of the board. The Virginia Key Beach Park Trust has continued to gather support and praise from community members and local leadership. Partnerships with neighbors on Virginia Key and surrounding communities are a testament to the Trust's ability to provide leadership and its appropriateness as the only entity that should lead this project. 5) Whether the ordinance creating the board should be amended to better enable the board to serve the purpose for which it was created. The criteria set forth by the ordinance that created the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust have served the Trust well, however; at this stage of the master plan it is necessary for the Trust to create a true non-profit foundation to build an endowment fund for park operations, museum sustainabilitv and additional programs. Submitted Into the public record in wft stem TI.1 on 024N. Priscilla A. Thompson City Clerk 4 s 6) Whether the board's membership requirements should be modified. The existing membership eligibility requirements for Trustees should allow for the inclusion of at -large Trustees that may not reside, work or own property in the City of Miami but reside in Miami Dade County and have a strong bound with the Historic Beach Park. The criteria set forth by the ordinance that created the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust have served the Trust well. 7) The cost, both direct and indirect, of maintaining the board. The Trust board's purpose, powers and duties charged it with a great responsibility to the community. The unique financial difficulties that struck the nation during the fiscal year have made the cost of operating the Trust property of great importance. The Trust requires an annual direct contribution from the City of no less than $250,000. The City contribution would provide for and guarantee appropriate administrative and park maintenance facilities, concession stand operation, park attendants and life guards, maintenance equipment and supplies, additional programming and administrative staff and an independent annual audit. Submitted Into the publid record in connection with item on Priscilla A. Thompson City Clerk