MIAMI — This Earth Month,  the National Recreation  and Park Association (NRPA), Disney/ABC  Television  Group  and  ESPN  are collaborating  to revitalize  parks across the United States, including one in Miami-Dade  County.

Through an initiative of the NRPA called Parks Build Community, one of three park projects of the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department will receive a $20,000 grant. Residents will choose the recipient.

County parks officials say they want to improve neighbors by providing places and programs that encourage people to be active and healthy. They want residents to vote each day through April 30 by visiting NRPA.org/BeInspired and select the project they’d like to see receive $20,000 in grant funding to make improvements. At the end of April, the Miami-Dade Parks project with the most votes will receive grant funding.

The project choices are:

*   Soccer field enhancements at Oak Grove Park, 690 NE 159 Street,, Miami, FL 33168 — This project would install additional amenities to enhance players’ overall experience on the soccer field by adding additional goals, players’ benches and perimeter fencing.

*   Butterfly garden at Gratigny Plateau Park,  885 NW 117th St, Miami, FL 33168 — This project would expand and beautify the existing butterfly garden to better engage visitors who use the park’s playground and fitness equipment stations.

*   Community garden Planting at Goulds Park, 11350 Southwest 216 Street, Miami, FL, 33170 — This project  would support  the implementation of  a  community  garden  for  the park,  inclusive  of  an  irrigation system, planter beds for growing fruits and vegetables and fencing. Once planted, the garden would be used to encourage children attending the park’s after-school program to improve and expand their healthy eating choices.

Additionally, Miami-Dade Parks Therapeutic Recreation Hub at Greynolds Park project is competing in a separate “Wild Card” category, for a chance to receive a $20,000 grant toward facility improvements. This Miami-Dade Parks project will help fund therapeutic recreation improvements, benefitting children with disabilities, ages 6-14, enrolled in MDPROS afterschool and summer camp programs at the Greynolds Park hub.

Participants can vote for Miami-Dade Parks’ “Wild Card” project as a one-time write-in option at the registration prompt at NRPA.org/BeInspired by entering their first/last name, email address, age and type in Greynolds Park.

“Parks have immense power. They help families live healthier lives, connect kids to nature, increase kids’ access to sports and so much more,” said Barbara Tulipane, president and CEO of NRPA. “Parks Build Community is a great opportunity to share the power of parks during Earth Month while bringing essential funds to critical local park projects.”

Participants must be at least 18 years old to vote.  For a complete listing of voting eligibility rules visit http://www.parksbuildcommunity.org/public/fulfillment/rules.pdf.