City of Doral Inaugurates Landmark Doral Central Park: A New Era of Community and Recreation Begins.
DORAL, FL – The City of Doral has reached a historic milestone with the grand opening of Doral Central Park, a transformative multimillion-dollar project that now stands as one of the most comprehensive public spaces in Miami-Dade County. In a ribbon-cutting ceremony filled with emotion, excitement, and community pride, officials celebrated the culmination of the city’s most ambitious public space endeavor to date.
The event, held just in time for summer, was headlined by Mayor Christi Fraga and the Doral City Council. Joining them was Valeria Van Belen, a Doral resident and decorated Special Olympics athlete whose story served as a powerful symbol of perseverance and hope. Fourteen years ago, when Valeria was just 12, Mayor Fraga made a heartfelt promise that the city would one day build an Olympic-sized swimming pool. That promise came full circle with the unveiling of the state-of-the-art Aquatic Center, now home to a 50-meter Olympic-standard pool, a splash pad, and thrilling water slides.
“This is more than a park,” said Mayor Fraga during the ceremony. “It’s a dream realized—a legacy for generations of Doral families.”
World-Class Amenities for All Ages
Spanning 78 acres, Doral Central Park has been thoughtfully designed to cater to residents of all ages and interests. Attendees at the grand opening enjoyed guided tours of the Aquatic Center and the impressive 80,000-square-foot Community Center, which features:
- A modern fitness facility
- Indoor basketball and volleyball courts
- Dedicated senior and youth spaces
- A fully equipped demonstration kitchen
The park’s vast outdoor space includes paved trails, sports courts, multi-purpose fields, a skatepark, a lakefront boardwalk, and an open-air amphitheater designed for major community events.
Live entertainment, food trucks, family-friendly activities, and a “Family Fun Zone” created a festival-like atmosphere during the celebration. Special guests and community leaders joined in honoring the park’s opening, which officially welcomed the public the following day.
A Hub for Local Athletics and Community Programs
In addition to being a recreational haven, Doral Central Park is poised to become a key partner for local schools and universities. The city is working closely with educational institutions to offer their swim teams access to the Olympic pool—a game-changer for students who previously had to travel outside city limits for adequate facilities.
Key program launch dates include:
Senior programs: Begin May 19
Fitness programming: Begins May 19
Swim lessons for Doral residents: Start June 9 (In partnership with the county’s Zero Drowning Initiative; free lessons expected this fall)
Summer camps: Details available via the city’s website and social channels
Operating Hours & Membership
Aquatic Center
- Competition Pool: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Water Park: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Community Center: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Membership details and pricing can be found at:
cityofdoral.com – Doral Central Park
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With this groundbreaking project now complete, Doral Central Park is set to become the heart of the city’s community life—a place where dreams are fulfilled, families gather, and the future of public recreation is redefined.