We, call on the Mayor and Board of County Commissioners to revise current park rules that treat foam dart toys—like NERF blasters—as restricted firearms.

Under current county policy, even casual, parent-supervised foam dart play is effectively banned in public parks unless families rent the field ($280+) and hire a county-approved vendor. That means no birthday Nerf battles, no spontaneous fun, no community bonding—unless you pay to play.

This isn’t safety—it’s bureaucracy gone too far.

NERF-style toys are soft, colorful, and safe. They encourage kids to get outside, move their bodies, use their imagination, and build friendships. In an age of screens and social isolation, we should be encouraging outdoor play—not shutting it down.

Worse still, this policy unfairly hurts working families, who can’t afford expensive permits or navigate complicated rental systems just to give their kids a chance to play. Public parks are funded by taxpayers. They should be open and accessible to everyone, not just those with extra time and money.

We ask the County to take common-sense action by:

✅ Amending Rule 19 to allow parent-supervised, non-commercial foam dart play in open parks without rental fees or vendors, unless a specific safety issue arises.

OR

✅ Designating areas within parks where children and families can enjoy foam dart play freely—no cost, no red tape, just fun.

This is about childhood. This is about fairness. This is about freedom.

Our parks should not be micromanaged zones of fear. They should be places where children are free to imagine, run, and laugh. That’s what we pay for. That’s what builds community. That’s what America is all about.

Join us in calling on Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and the Board of County Commissioners to do the right thing:

👉 Let kids be kids. Let families play. End the ban on Nerf toys in Miami-Dade parks.

 
Who should sign?
Parents who believe in freedom of play
Residents who want fair access to public space
Educators, coaches, and youth workers
Anyone who knows that foam darts aren’t dangerous—weapons of imagination aren’t real weapons

Let’s make sure Miami-Dade County doesn’t turn into a real-life episode of Parks & Recreation.

I’m a parent of two great kids, 10 and 8, and like most families, we try to get them outside as much as possible. The park has always been our go-to for letting them run, play, and just be kids. 

We just want a safe space where our kids—and all kids—can play, grow, and feel included. Please consider what this ban takes away from families like ours.