United Way Broward opens a new Born Learning STEAM Trail in Miramar to inspire early childhood learning through play

City of Miramar – Families visiting Monarch Lakes Park in Miramar will now discover something new along one of the park’s walking paths. What once served as a simple trail has been transformed into an interactive learning experience designed especially for young children and their families.

On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, United Way Broward, working together with the City of Miramar, celebrated the official opening of the Born Learning STEAM Trail at Monarch Lakes Park. The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the launch of a colorful and engaging pathway built to encourage early childhood education through movement, curiosity, and play.

The trail invites children to explore concepts tied to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics—often called STEAM—while walking along the park’s route. Bright signs and activity stations prompt families to stop, think, and interact together, turning a casual stroll into a hands-on learning adventure.

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But the project is more than just a new attraction in the park. It also represents a meaningful community effort, one that brought together students, nonprofit leaders, and city officials to create something lasting for local families.

In the days leading up to the ribbon cutting, local students played an important role in preparing the space. Through United Way Broward’s Coalition on Behavioral Health & Drug Prevention’s Alternative Spring Break program, young volunteers spent the first day of their school break helping get the trail ready.

Instead of heading to the beach or relaxing at home, the students rolled up their sleeves and got to work. Their efforts helped turn the park trail into a welcoming educational environment where children can explore and learn in an informal setting.

The Alternative Spring Break initiative is designed to give students the chance to give back to their communities while also developing leadership skills. In Miramar, that spirit of service helped bring the STEAM Trail project to life.

City leaders joined United Way Broward officials during the ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the new learning space. Among those present were Miramar Commissioner Maxwell B. Chambers and United Way Broward President and CEO Kathleen Cannon, who helped mark the occasion alongside students and community partners.

Speakers at the event emphasized the importance of making early learning opportunities available to all families. Public spaces like parks, they noted, can play a powerful role in shaping children’s development when they include interactive and educational features.

The Born Learning STEAM Trail is designed with that goal in mind. Rather than relying on traditional classroom instruction, the trail encourages kids to ask questions, move their bodies, and explore ideas together with parents or caregivers.

This approach reflects a growing understanding that some of the most meaningful learning happens outside of the classroom—during everyday moments like walking through a park or playing with family members.

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Community leaders also pointed to the project as an example of what can happen when organizations and local governments work together toward a shared goal. By combining resources and community involvement, the partnership created a space that benefits children, families, and the broader Miramar community.

For the students who helped prepare the trail, the experience offered a unique kind of spring break memory—one built around service, teamwork, and community pride.

Now open to the public, the Born Learning STEAM Trail at Monarch Lakes Park stands as a new destination for families looking to mix outdoor fun with meaningful learning experiences. And thanks to the collaborative effort behind it, children in Miramar will have another place to explore, imagine, and grow for years to come.