Sunshine Matters

Tourism Cares recently returned to Florida for the second time and leveraged its legacy of community service to place a beloved local institution and a national architectural landmark back on the map.  On May 29 -30, 400 participants volunteered to help restore both the Miami Marine Stadium and the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.

With transportation provided by VISIT FLORIDA, half of the volunteers were shuttled to the Miami Marine Stadium where they began the restoration of architect Hilario Candela’s Florida landmark.  Standing as a centerpiece since 1963, this modern architectural masterpiece fell to disuse after Hurricane Andrew and sat in abandonment for nearly two decades.  After threat of demolition, the Friends of Miami Marine Stadium formed to lead an extensive restoration project of this newly-named “National Treasure.”  Hundreds of Tourism Cares industry volunteers cleaned and secured the stadium, developing it as an asset to aid the fundraising campaign.  Tourism Cares will continue services toward the Miami Marine Stadium project until its reopening.

VISIT FLORIDA transportation shuttled the other half of volunteers to the Historic Virginia Key Beach Park.  With Virginia Key as one of the few remaining natural spaces for native hammock trees, Tourism Cares developed a Hammock Tree Planting Project. Volunteers spent the day planting hundreds of trees along the park’s green acres and recreational trails.

Volunteers had the opportunity to learn more about the Stadium and the Park from chief experts Hilario Candela, architect of Miami Marine Stadium, and Guy Forchion, Executive Director of the Virginia Key Beach Park Trust.  Volunteers were also rewarded with a learning session by Rosa Lowinger on the art of stadium graffiti and a cruise of the island.

VISIT FLORIDA was delighted to work with Tourism Cares to support the restoration of the Miami Marine Stadium and Historic Virginia Key Beach Park, and looks forward to seeing these Florida landmarks brought to the attention of the tourism industry nationwide.  To learn more about Tourism Cares and how to get involved, visit TourismCares.org.