FOREST PARK GROUND-BREAKING

On Saturday, June 7, 2025 county and city officials joined with the Friends of The Underline and hundreds of excited guests for the Ground-Breaking of PLAY FOREST sponsored by Nikki Spoelstra which will provide a unique play area for families located directly adjacent to the South Miami city hall campus with a new public library.

This amenity along “the SOMI mile” of The Underline is a new nature-based play area will invite children and families to explore, imagine, and connect with nature through active and healthy play. The Play Forest is part of the 7+ mile Phase 3 of The Underline and marks the first playground amenity to begin construction in South Miami.

Architectural rendering of PLAY FOREST.

Construction has begun on site. (SOMI Magazine. June, 2025)

The kick-off event was complete with loads of fun-filled activities from face painting, to building your own fresh flower bouquet, to taking a test bike ride from Mack Cycle.  With a backdrop of great music and delicious eats from South Miami food purveyors, the event had something for everyone and a great party vibe, right in front of South Miami city hall. Area vendors, including Sweet Lichs, IkoniK Koffee, and Playa Bowls provided refreshments for the event.

South Miami mayor speaking of the dynamic changes coming to the city hall campus, and especially with The Underline’s Play Forest as a featured new community amenity.

PLAY FOREST sponsor Nikki Spoelstra gave a compelling story of her philanthropic commitment to this project and The Underline. “It checked off all the boxes of what I want to do: culture, community, environment……” Her sponsorship will support ongoing operations, maintenance and programs for The Underline Play Forest.