The Eppley Center has kicked off a partnership with Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space to create an Employee Development Academy. The goal of the Academy is to improve the quality of experiences for park and recreation users through learning and development of the professionals within the department at-large. The project involves research, training development, and related planning to meet anticipated outcomes and goals of the Academy program.
Miami Dade County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (MDCPROS) is responsible for well-designed and maintained parks and open spaces, and year-round recreation programs for all ages and abilities. The Department serves over 2.7 million residents and 1.2 million affiliated non-residents, and includes services such as conservation and maintenance, while offering diverse programs that include summer and school break camps, sports, cultural arts, natural resource stewardship to the residents and many visitors to Miami-Dade County. With over 13,000 acres of land, 275 parks, 19 swimming pools and full portfolio of services, MDCPROS has 2,266 full‐time equivalent positions working in what is the 3rd largest accredited Parks department in the nation.
Leaders at MDCPROS have enlisted the Eppley Center to enhance the development of its employees and align with strategic goals. Eppley will conduct a learning needs analysis, develop core competencies, and make recommendations for learning approaches.
The project began with kickoff meetings in late November 2024 and expected to be completed by summer 2025.