Gong Healing Session Draws Community to Founders Park Amphitheater

A communal sound healing session convened at Founders Park Amphitheater on Saturday, November 15, drawing residents to the venue at 87000 Overseas Highway for an evening described as a chance for relaxation and energetic renewal. The event was organized by Gilda Rroshi of Ciao Bella Islamorada in collaboration with Osiris Santos of Frequency House, and featured gongs tuned to specific frequencies that organizers said interact with the body at a cellular level to help release tension and restore balance.

The session began at 5 p.m. and was free and open to participants ages 12 and up. Organizers advised attendees to bring a yoga mat or blanket, a pillow if desired, and to wear comfortable clothing. Phones were discouraged to preserve the immersive nature of the experience. Space was limited and guests were asked to arrive early for a spot close to the gongs. For more information and RSVPs organizers directed interested community members to Ciao Bella Islamorada on Facebook.

The event offered more than a single evening of relaxation. It underscored the role of municipal parks as platforms for grassroots cultural programming and community health activities. Hosting a no cost event in a public park reduces barriers to participation compared with fee based private offerings, and it opens a conversation about how local government, community groups, and small businesses coordinate to make wellness resources accessible. Rroshi characterized the initiative as community driven. She said, "Born from our own healing journeys, we wanted to offer this freely to the community. It is a chance to feel a sense of connection and peace, what we like to call Heaven on Earth."

From a policy perspective the session points to several considerations for Monroe County and Islamorada municipal leaders. Parks and recreation departments frequently balance maintenance budgets, event permitting, and public access priorities. When community groups use public facilities to provide free programming, officials must consider how such uses fit into broader strategic goals for public health, tourism, and equity. Local policymakers and board members can take cues from events like this when considering allocations for programming support, permitting processes, and outreach to underserved neighborhoods.

For residents the immediate impact was experiential and social. Free wellness events can foster civic engagement by bringing neighbors together in shared public space, creating informal networks and encouraging future participation in community life. As public agencies and private organizers evaluate the demand for similar programming, the presence of events at Founders Park may influence future decisions about resource allocation, scheduling priorities, and partnerships that expand public access to cultural and wellness activities.