Meg Daly
The Underline is the name given to THE project to create a 10-mile urban trail and linear park from the Miami River to Dadeland South.
Friends of The Underline a 501(c)(3) non-profit advocating to transform the underutilized land below Miami’s Metrorail into a 10-mile linear park, urban trail and canvas for artistic expression are gearing up for a busy year full of fun activities and events to keep the community exciting about the future Underline.
Friends of The Underline has so much exciting news to report. Most recently, we received our largest funding commitment to date from the City of Miami.
Sponsored by Commissioner Francis Suarez, the City of Miami Commission unanimously approved 4-0 to direct up to $50 Million in park impact fees derived from development within 1,000 feet of The Underline to construction of the linear park and urban trail within the 5 miles in the City of Miami. This commitment is our largest to date and we thank Commissioner Suarez and the City of Miami commission for believing in biking, walking, great public spaces and fantastic parks.
POP-UP GYM
On August 23rd, Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces had a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the pop up gym in front of the Brickell Metrorail station. With a large audience or supporters and neighbors, Mayor Gimenez, Miami Dade County Commissioner Pepe Diaz, Parks Director Jack Kardys and Transportation Director Alice Bravo all shared their excitement about The Underline’s progress and promise. Big thanks to Maria Nardi, Assistant Director of Planning and Design Excellence who envisioned and created the temporary park in record time.
(See SOMI Magazine, p. 14, in this issue.)
CYCLING CLUB
Thanks to The Underline Cycling Club, we continue to have our monthly bike rides the first Sunday of each month exploring The Underline’s connections to neighborhoods and communities along the 10-mile corridor. On Sept. 2nd 100 riders departed from South Miami Metrorail station and visited by bike a few of the historic villages of Coral Gables. Dona Spain, head of Coral Gables Historic Preservation shared a brief history of the City Beautiful and the lovely Villages developed by George Merrick.
Our next ride “Exploring Connections” will be on October 2nd leaving Coconut Grove Metrorail station and stopping at Alice Wainwright Park and the Miami River to hear about Plan Z and the progress of the Miami River Greenway. Our November ride we’ll visit our friends at Ludlam Trail and talk about our connection to those neighborhoods. Sign up on Eventbrite and for email notifications.
THE UNDERLOUNGE BLOCK PARTY
Be sure to sign up for and attend The Underlounge on October 15th, a free, family-friendly, 3-block festival for kids and adults at the Brickell Metrorail station. We’ll have live music, food, exercise classes, the world’s longest mini golf hole in one, a 200 foot mandala and more. Thanks to our Young Professionals and a Knight Foundation Emerging Cities grant for making this exciting event happen!
