Politically influential Miamian Charles Randolph Hadley was born in Cairo, Georgia on January 8, 1914. He received a B.A. degree from Florida A & M University in 1940 and came to Miami in 1943. The same year he was hired by the Florida State Board of Health. For the next 39 years he served as VD investigator for Special Health Services. He received the nickname "Mr. Civic Worker" because of his many public appointments. They included State of Florida Special Deputy Constable, Special Assistant to the Secretary of State, Special Advisor to Attorney General Jim Smith, member of the Miami Town Meeting Committee and City of Miami Urban Renewal Committee. He also served as a member the Miami Housing Authority, the City of Miami Service Board, the Economic Opportunity Program, Inc. and Metro's Department of Housing and Urban Development. During his career he made many advancements in the treatment of syphilis. On July 20, 1983, the Charles R. Hadley VD Annex Building was dedicated in his honor. The Liberty City Public Library, the Hadley Gardens Apartment Complex, the Charles Hadley Elementary School, and this park were all named in his honor.
Charles Hadley park is located in Liberty City. For a long time Miami did not invest in the parks in the predominately African American neighborhoods of Liberty City and Overtown. Recently that changed. In October of 2020 the park had a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its multi million dollar improvements which included a gymnasium, improvements to the pool, expanding the parking lot, and upgrading the baseball field. Other park amenities include 55 and over adult programs, basketball court, restrooms, computers, indoor fitness room, open area, outdoor fitness equipment, picnic tables, playground, racquetball court, recreation center, tennis courts, and paved exercise trail. This park is massive and with all of the improvements it has something for everyone in the community.
The park has been the home of the Liberty City Optimist Club for more than 25 years. The club has turned out more than 50 current NCAA and NFL stars including several NFL players such as Duke Johnson (Houston Texans), Devonta Freeman (New York Giants) and Lavonte David (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) who all got their start playing football at Charles...
Read moreI am so greatful for the services and activities that are provided at Charles Hadley Park . Community events such as Covid 19 detection , Food Share and various services are also provided .It offers services and assistance for our Seniors in an environment thar not only provides a spacious common area but serves a hardey lunch as well . There's a Senior's only gym that can equal any corporate gym chain . The grounds at CHP are properly maintained and provides a spacious area where you can exercise at your own pace . If you're jogging or power walking the paths are excellent. It has basketball courts, tennis courts , baseball diamond and a combination soccer/football field. It has a children's play area , and a swimming pool . There's something for everyone to enjoy , and it's in walking distance from my house . You can see I love it . Come on down and see the peewees , and teams play football , soccer , baseball or just play a game of pick-up basketball what are you waiting for ?...
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