The José Martí Park in Miami will begin an important transformation this month that will include a new waterfront promenade, drainage improvements and coastal protection, enhanced river access, a children's area, and new lighting.
The City of Miami reported this Wednesday on X that in September, the first phase of the José Martí Park Adaptive Design Project will begin, initially focused on the northern area of the park.
"Major improvements are coming to José Martí Park," the city announced while presenting images of how the space should look once the renovations are completed.
Among the planned projects for this first phase are a new baywalk or waterfront promenade, stabilization of the shoreline, drainage improvements, access to the waterfront, a new playground, and lighting.
The plans released by the city also include a point for kayak launches, improvements to the riverside promenade, a new retaining wall, a docking platform, security cameras, and other features aimed at making the space more accessible and resilient to flooding and rising sea levels.
During this first phase, the northern area will remain closed due to the construction work, but the rest of the park will continue to be open to the public, as explained by the municipal administration.
The construction is divided into two phases. Once the work in the northern area is completed, certain improvements will begin in the southern part, a plan designed to keep as much of the park available as possible while the project progresses.
The completion of the works is scheduled for August 2028.
The project aims not only to refresh the appearance of the park. The documents submitted by the city highlight as one of its main objectives to adapt this space located next to the Miami River to the risks associated with rising sea levels and flooding.
In fact, official documents from the City of Miami have described the flood mitigation project of José Martí Park for years as a design for a seawall and riverwalk intended to enhance its resilience and serve as a model for future waterfront projects in the city.
The initiative is part of the Miami Forever Bond program, established to fund, among other projects, resilience works against sea level rise and flooding.
The José Martí Park continues to be one of the key community spaces in the area. This summer, it was included among the cooling centers provided free of charge by the City of Miami to protect residents during periods of extreme heat.
The place has also served as a venue for political events and gatherings with the Cuban community. In October 2020, Joe Biden visited José Martí Park during a campaign stop in Miami, amidst a tour of the city.
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