BEST SUMMERTIME CHILL 2004 | Scott Rakow Youth Center | Best Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Music and Stores in Miami | Miami New Times
Navigation
Support Us
Search

BEST SUMMERTIME CHILL

Scott Rakow Youth Center

After a costly two-year construction delay, the ice rink at the Scott Rakow Youth Center is finally open. The rink, at 125 feet by 60 feet, replaces the cramped one, which will be turned into a gymnasium as renovations continue. Most of the facility's, um, facilities are new. Because of the special times assigned to different age groups (particularly adults), be sure to call the center before visiting. Go ahead and sweat it up, then enter this comfortably cool oasis, where a bit of figure skating or hockey will keep the perspiration coming. Then go jump in the full-size swimming pool. It's not new. But it sure is wet. And refreshing.

BEST SUMMERTIME CHILL

Scott Rakow Youth Center

City of Miami Beach
After a costly two-year construction delay, the ice rink at the Scott Rakow Youth Center is finally open. The rink, at 125 feet by 60 feet, replaces the cramped one, which will be turned into a gymnasium as renovations continue. Most of the facility's, um, facilities are new. Because of the special times assigned to different age groups (particularly adults), be sure to call the center before visiting. Go ahead and sweat it up, then enter this comfortably cool oasis, where a bit of figure skating or hockey will keep the perspiration coming. Then go jump in the full-size swimming pool. It's not new. But it sure is wet. And refreshing.

BEST BASKETBALL COURT

Overtown Youth Center

Overtown is a slum and the last place you'd expect to see real estate whiz, revered art collector, and poster man for the rich and powerful Marty Margulies. But there he was one day, noticing how kids on NW Fourteenth Street were hanging and banging, preparing for a future in dope slinging or gangsta pimpin'. Some may have been plotting escape, but that's a lofty dream down here. Margulies -- a rare if not unique mix of developer-smarts and goodness-of-heart -- whipped out $2.5 million and had built the terrific 18,000-square-foot complex known as the Overtown Youth Center. About 200 children have joined the new facility, which boasts spiffy classrooms, a fine auditorium, lockers, showers, computers, and the best basketball court in town. Alonzo Mourning, who appeared at the center two months and two days after a kidney transplant to speak to the children, has used his charities to fund day-to-day expenses. Only children who are members of the center's after-school program can use the gorgeous court, but they play teams from around the county and anyone can attend. Also, the OYC is part of Gibson Park. Walk past the Chinese restaurant and the church, across the park's grassy knoll, and, at the southern end, you'll find excellent courts where anyone can play.

BEST BASKETBALL COURT

Overtown Youth Center

Overtown is a slum and the last place you'd expect to see real estate whiz, revered art collector, and poster man for the rich and powerful Marty Margulies. But there he was one day, noticing how kids on NW Fourteenth Street were hanging and banging, preparing for a future in dope slinging or gangsta pimpin'. Some may have been plotting escape, but that's a lofty dream down here. Margulies -- a rare if not unique mix of developer-smarts and goodness-of-heart -- whipped out $2.5 million and had built the terrific 18,000-square-foot complex known as the Overtown Youth Center. About 200 children have joined the new facility, which boasts spiffy classrooms, a fine auditorium, lockers, showers, computers, and the best basketball court in town. Alonzo Mourning, who appeared at the center two months and two days after a kidney transplant to speak to the children, has used his charities to fund day-to-day expenses. Only children who are members of the center's after-school program can use the gorgeous court, but they play teams from around the county and anyone can attend. Also, the OYC is part of Gibson Park. Walk past the Chinese restaurant and the church, across the park's grassy knoll, and, at the southern end, you'll find excellent courts where anyone can play.

  • 450 Northwest 14th St., Miami, FL, Miami, 33136 Map

BEST BEACH

Haulover Beach Park

Haulover took this award in 2002. Then, as today, it had competition, most of it from Key Biscayne. That island's eight-mile-long eastern shore offers the full range of amenities, from crowds and condos to seclusion and wilderness. (It has also won this honor twice.) South Beach, once a strong contender, can no longer be given serious consideration. Its fatal flaw: congestion. You can spend half the day (and a small fortune) just parking your car. Parking, however, is never a problem at Haulover, where the lots cover many acres and the price is a reasonable $4.25. But Haulover's greatest attraction is its spaciousness. South of the crowded clothing-optional area it is possible, even on holiday weekends, to claim a patch of sand without feeling like you're crashing someone else's party. Often the place seems deserted, a rare luxury these days.

BEST BEACH

Haulover Beach Park

Photo by osseous / Flickr
Haulover took this award in 2002. Then, as today, it had competition, most of it from Key Biscayne. That island's eight-mile-long eastern shore offers the full range of amenities, from crowds and condos to seclusion and wilderness. (It has also won this honor twice.) South Beach, once a strong contender, can no longer be given serious consideration. Its fatal flaw: congestion. You can spend half the day (and a small fortune) just parking your car. Parking, however, is never a problem at Haulover, where the lots cover many acres and the price is a reasonable $4.25. But Haulover's greatest attraction is its spaciousness. South of the crowded clothing-optional area it is possible, even on holiday weekends, to claim a patch of sand without feeling like you're crashing someone else's party. Often the place seems deserted, a rare luxury these days.

BEST ROAD RACE FOR RUNNERS

The Komen Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Race for the Cure

Considered one of the finest charities in the nation, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is a model of how a charity should work. Administrative costs are kept down while a significant percentage of funds raised through local affiliates remains in the communities where the money was donated. This race qualifies as the big-money benefit for a great cause. Approximately 1.5 million runners participate in the 5K run/walk, which is conducted in many locations. The local race takes place every October in Bayfront Park, winding its way through downtown and the Brickell area. (There's also a race in West Palm Beach.) Runners are separated into divisions that include one specifically for survivors of breast cancer. You can also join a one-mile walk or enter your kids in the tot run. Ceremonies pay tribute to cancer victims and celebrate the success of survivors. A good way to take over downtown (known to shut down completely for the filming of terrible Hollywood movies) for a cause that matters.

BEST ROAD RACE FOR RUNNERS

The Komen Miami/Ft. Lauderdale Race for the Cure

Considered one of the finest charities in the nation, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation is a model of how a charity should work. Administrative costs are kept down while a significant percentage of funds raised through local affiliates remains in the communities where the money was donated. This race qualifies as the big-money benefit for a great cause. Approximately 1.5 million runners participate in the 5K run/walk, which is conducted in many locations. The local race takes place every October in Bayfront Park, winding its way through downtown and the Brickell area. (There's also a race in West Palm Beach.) Runners are separated into divisions that include one specifically for survivors of breast cancer. You can also join a one-mile walk or enter your kids in the tot run. Ceremonies pay tribute to cancer victims and celebrate the success of survivors. A good way to take over downtown (known to shut down completely for the filming of terrible Hollywood movies) for a cause that matters.

BEST PLACE TO KAYAK

Maurice Gibb Memorial Park

This bayside park at the eastern terminus of the Venetian Causeway was recently renamed to honor the Bee Gee brother who died in January 2003. (The brothers' private recording studio is a block away. Maurice loved the park.) A free boat ramp and adequate parking make this a good place to launch and for a variety of paddle adventures. Head northwest into the expanse of Biscayne Bay and its spoil islands. A southern route will take you along the Beach's mushrooming skyline toward Star Island, Government Cut, Fisher Island, and the open ocean. On either side of the park are canals that wind through residential neighborhoods and provide access to Indian Creek, which leads to La Gorce Island and beyond. Helpful hint: Bring along a map.

BEST PLACE TO KAYAK

Maurice Gibb Memorial Park

This bayside park at the eastern terminus of the Venetian Causeway was recently renamed to honor the Bee Gee brother who died in January 2003. (The brothers' private recording studio is a block away. Maurice loved the park.) A free boat ramp and adequate parking make this a good place to launch and for a variety of paddle adventures. Head northwest into the expanse of Biscayne Bay and its spoil islands. A southern route will take you along the Beach's mushrooming skyline toward Star Island, Government Cut, Fisher Island, and the open ocean. On either side of the park are canals that wind through residential neighborhoods and provide access to Indian Creek, which leads to La Gorce Island and beyond. Helpful hint: Bring along a map.

Best Of Miami®

Best Of Miami®

Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our terms of use, our cookies policy, and our privacy policy The Miami New Times may earn a portion of sales from products & services purchased through links on our site from our affiliate partners. ©2024 Miami New Times, LLC. All rights reserved.
Do Not Sell or Share My Information
Powered By Foundation