The Times

Saturday, May 8, 1976, page 1 (of 27)

← Earlier issue Later issue → Download this page

The page

You can also pinch or scroll to zoom, and drag to move around.

The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.

'On the Move' heading 'One Way' inside Little Bill has himself a big house

The Times Guide

'Serving The City Beautiful Since 1926' 4627 Ponce de Leon Boulevard Coral Gables, Florida 33146 Florida's Best Suburban Newspaper Phone 665-7981 28 Pages Vol. 50 No. 38 May 8/9, 1976 ** 10 Cents

Is Coral Gables recreation program a victim of organizational overkill?

By ERICA MEYER Staff Writer If Coral Gables' recreation program is misguided, overpriced, unorganized and ill-timed, it may well be due to an excess of good-intentioned organizations. Four separate groups, plus the city's own Recreation Department, are working on different facets of the recreation program with practically no coordination among them. There are only glimmers of sporadic central organization efforts. From community schools to the Rooters Club to the Youth Advisory Board to the United Recreational Association, the city's fun and games program is inspected, analyzed and prodded. It is, however, seldom changed. City employes of longstanding keep guard over their own parts of the program. The city commission inspects it only during budget hearings or when angry citizens crowd commission chambers demanding more attention for a particular sport. At the helm of the recreation department is Director Don Hart. His job is to respond to each group and each employe, coordinating efforts and supervising the budget and activities of each program. Estimates of his success at this unwieldy venture range from "he's starting to do things" to "he's trying" to "he never does anything." Hart, who tends to speak in sport metaphor, hopes to create "a team on all sides, through understanding.." And these are the sides he is contending with: 1. City employes --- Division heads like Jeanette Hunt at the Youth Center, Johnny Rosasco at Venetian Pool, Dick Medford at Granada Golf Course, Jack Cook at Salvadore Park and Tony Mantinan at the Biltmore Golf Course were in charge of their individual sites long before there ever was a recreation director. They have See TOO, Page 13

City wants to curb Fascell Park crowds

By EDWIN KNIGHT Staff Writer The City of South Miami council has learned what it has suspected for many months --- that Dante Fascell Park is overcrowded and that most who use the park are non-residents. City Manager Jack Present reported that of the 16 groups during April which wanted the park for picnics, 14 were from outside the city. "The park is used by people from Coral Gables and from the whole Metro area," the city manager explained. The park, on Red Road at SW 86th Street, is a favorite recreation area containing tennis courts, picnics areas, ball diamonds and facilities for small children. One member of the council reported that on weekends the park is becoming so crowded that it is difficult to walk through the area. The number of weekend park visitors also causes parking problems as well as interference with the various recreation areas within the park. As a result, the council is taking steps to limit the number of people within a group which may want to use the park and also the number of groups which can reserve the park. City Attorney Edward Moore said that legally, people can go to the park as individuals and then use the park as a group. The city manager suggested limiting groups reserving the picnic area to city residents only for two weekends a month, thereby giving South Miamians, who support the park through taxes, the opportunity to use the park freely. In addition, the council passed on first reading an ordinance prohibiting cars, campers or motorcycles from entering or driving in city parks. The new law is aimed primarily at keeping vehicles from Fascell Park. In other action at the council's May 4 meeting, the legislators: HEARD City Manager Present announce that he is hopeful the Dade County School Board will help the city financially with the renovation of the lights and other facilities at South Miami Field. The field, on the grounds of South Miami Junior High School, is owned and used jointly by the school and the city. The city plans to spend as much as $200,000 for improvements at the park, which will also benefit the school. The city manager added that he has a meeting May 10 with officials representing the school board, including Fred Kline, assistant superintendent of support services. "I am confident that we will receive some financial aid from the school board," the city manager reported.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom

Photo by ELIZABETH OWEN One Coral Gables mother will get at least nine choruses of that phrase on Sunday. She is (1) Mrs. Hortensia Paz, with her family (back row) "Motor," Armando, Alex, granddaughter Racquel, daughter-in-law Cindy, Racquel, Alfie, Tino and (front) Andy, Rosie, grandson "Blue," and Alfonso. Her story, Page 2. Plus, two mothers-to-be, Page 2