Jack Kardys is the recently retired director of the Nationally Accredited and Gold Medal Award winning Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Department (MDPROS), one of the largest and most diverse park systems in the United States. A 41-year park professional, Jack has earned dozens of awards that recognize his extraordinary leadership and achievements. Jack is a resident of Key Largo, Florida, the past Board Chair for the National Recreation and Park Association and past president of the Florida Recreation and Park Association. Jack is the president of J Kardys Strategies, LLC, a consulting firm developing and implementing innovative park and public realm strategies for building healthy and sustainable communities throughout the country.