Tony Lopez, CPRE, chief of Operations for the Town of Miami Lakes, will be the guest speaker at the November 23 meeting of the Miami Lakes Garden Club at the Mary Collins Community Center, 15151 N.W. 82 Avenue. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.
Lopez will provide an update on the Town’s Beautification Master Plan, Greenways and Trails Master Plan, and provide updates on the Town’s parks, tree canopy and upcoming capital projects. The general public is welcome to attend.
A Miami native, Lopez began his career in 2003 working at the South Miami YMCA, and in 2004, became Miami Lakes’ first recreation employee. Since then, he held several positions of progressive responsibility in over 10 years with the Town including seven years as Director of Parks, Recreation/Community and Leisure Services.
He is the recipient of national, state and local awards recognizing his innovation in the parks and recreation field and in 2007, he received the Robert W. CrawfordNational Recreation & Parks Association's Young Professional Award. He is one of a handful of park directors to have achieved the prestigious Certified Parks & Recreation Executive (CPRE) designation.
In 2014, Lopez accepted an opportunity to work for the Mayor of the City of Jacksonville, the largest urban park system in the country, as their director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services.
In June 2015, Lopez returned to Miami Lakes as chief of Operations to handle the oversight and implementation of all Town operational initiatives along with overseeing the Community Services and Public Works departments.
Under his leadership, Miami Lakes has been nationally recognized for its unparalleled parks system consisting of more than 100 pocket parks and green spaces, two 20-plus acre active/athletic parks, 70 miles of rights-of-ways and medians, urban tree canopy of 17,000 trees, three community centers, 10 volunteer committees that provide more than 50 special events per year, and several community-based organizations/recreation programs. His department also evolved over the years to include canal maintenance and the school guard program.
During his tenure as director, Miami Lakes became a two-time All-American City finalist, seven-time Playful City USA recipient, seven-time Tree City USA winner, and claimed one of the 100 best Communities for Youth People in the United States.
He has served as adjunct professor at St. Thomas University and at Florida International University. He currently serves as chairman of the Alumni Committee at St. Thomas University.