Press Releases

At the City of Miami Commission Meeting Tuesday, Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) presented a $1,000,000 check to the City of Miami for the Little Haiti Youth Center at Athalie Range Park. It is designed to provide local youth and residents with a safe, state-of-the-art space to gather and thrive.

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson said, “This isn’t just any building; it’ll be a 12,000 square-foot hub of creativity and activity. This will be a place where our children and families can gather, learn, and create lasting memories together. Because let’s be real—no child should have to sit in a McDonalds parking lot just to find WiFi to finish their homework. Our kids deserve better, and it’s our job to create those spaces for them. I’m incredibly proud to be part of this effort to uplift our community and invest in our future.”

This approximately 12,000 sq. ft. ADA-compliant facility will feature a 3,000 sq. ft. multipurpose room, a computer lab with charging stations, three homework rooms, an arts and crafts room, an indoor fitness area with equipment and lockers, a kitchen, restrooms, and ample storage. Outside, a large plaza with concrete seating and shade structures will support outdoor activities. These innovative features will create a space where children and families can enrich their lives and strengthen social development.  This funding was secured as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 Congressional Appropriations process.

"On behalf of Miami, I sincerely thank Congresswoman Wilson for her generous funding of the Athelia Range Park Community Center, a greatly needed state-of-the-art facility with a multi-purpose room, fitness room, computer lab, and adjacent plaza that will serve residents of all ages,” said City of Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez. “Your support has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life."

City of Miami Chairwoman Christine King, who represents this park in her district, said, “Thank you Congresswoman Wilson for helping the future generations of our community with this $1M fund for the Little Haiti Youth Center at Athalie Range Park. It is our responsibility to provide children of every ability a place they can play, learn, and connect. By supporting their development and providing them meaningful engagement opportunities, we are nourishing the minds and dreams of future community advocates and leaders.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Keon Hardeman said, “Investing in a safe, state-of-the-art space at Athalie Range Park is essential for our local youth and residents to flourish. This new space will foster new connections, empower dreams, and cultivate a thriving environment that will uplift our community for decades to come.”

City of Miami Commissioner Manolo Reyes said, “[Congresswoman Wilson] goes beyond her district, and when you talk about a real public servant, this is an example of it.”

City of Miami Commissioner Damian Pardo said, “I just want to express my gratitude and what a pleasure it is to work with [Congresswoman Wilson], and I look forward to the work we’re doing in Little Bahamas.”

This park is named after Athalie Range, a trailblazing Bahamian American civil rights activist and the first Black person to serve on the Miami City Commission. She also previously served as President of her children’s school PTA and Miami-Dade PTA.

To view the full recording of the presentation, please visit the City of Miami TV to see the City of Miami Commission Meeting Archives.

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