The José Martí Park, one of the most well-known public spaces in Little Havana in Miami, is undergoing a significant transformation aimed at restoring the prominence of the Miami River, expanding green areas, and protecting its facilities from flooding. This project includes a new riverside walkway, a retaining wall, kayak access, a children's playground, and improvements in lighting.
The City of Miami presented a video on Tuesday about the renovation, featuring Mayor Eileen Higgins, the District 3 Commissioner, Rolando Escalona, and officials from the municipal departments involved in the projects.
Higgins acknowledged that the park, despite its privileged location by the river, faces recurring flooding issues, especially during episodes of extraordinary tides when the water level can exceed its usual limits.
“It is one of the most extraordinary waterfront parks in the city. However, it is not resilient; it gets flooded, especially during extraordinary tides,” the mayor explained.
The official noted that the redesign aims to create a space better equipped to handle flooding, with more shade and more pleasant conditions for the families and residents who visit it.
Commissioner Rolando Escalona, representative of District 3 of Miami, explained that the first phase of the renovation is currently underway and defended the removal of some concrete surfaces to expand natural spaces.
"We don't need so much concrete. That's part of what we want to eliminate," said Escalona, who highlighted among the improvements the addition of green areas, a new retaining wall, a kayak launch area, and a children's playground.
The official stated that the new facilities aim to attract more residents and provide them with a clean, safe, and organized space to enjoy outdoor activities.
One of the main changes will be the renovation of the waterfront. The project aims to enhance the pedestrian promenade along the river, connect different areas of the park, and remove structures that currently obstruct visibility and access to the water.
José López, presented in the video as the director of the Miami Capital Improvement Office, explained that one of the purposes of the intervention is to bring the community closer to the river.
"What we are trying to do is connect the community with the river," she noted, referring to the removal of physical barriers that prevent fully enjoying the views and access to the waterfront.
Daniel López, identified as the interim director of the Miami Department of Parks and Recreation, also spoke, highlighting that the work on the seawall and waterfront promenade will represent a significant improvement for both the park and the neighborhood.
The authorities explained that the works will incorporate drainage systems and protections against high tides to reduce the influx of water into the park.
The intention is that, once the intervention is completed, the facilities can be used with fewer disruptions due to flooding.
The renovation also includes new lighting fixtures, security cameras, more trees, and landscaping improvements.
According to the explanation in the video, the existing trees will be preserved or relocated when necessary, and additional specimens will be added to expand the shaded areas.
The plan also includes improvements to the parking facility to facilitate access for residents from other areas of Miami.
The future sports facilities, such as tennis courts and pickleball courts (a paddle sport), correspond to later stages and are not part of the initial projects announced.
According to the official information of the Adaptive Redesign Project of José Martí Park, the first phase began in September 2026 and is scheduled to be completed in August 2028.
During this stage, the northern area of the park remains closed for construction, while the rest of the facilities are still available to the public.
The second phase will include additional improvements in the southern sector, with new community facilities, sports areas, and aquatic recreation proposals.
The project is partially funded through the Miami Forever Bond program, along with grants from the Florida Inland Navigation District and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The redesign also features a verification of the Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines, awarded in 2023 by the Waterfront Alliance, which recognizes waterfront projects based on criteria of accessibility, sustainability, and resilience to climate risks.
The first phase of the transformation was publicly announced in September, when the city unveiled the plans for the new waterfront promenade, the playground, and the flood protection structures.
Located at 362 SW 4th Street, José Martí Park has been a gathering place for the Cuban community in Miami for decades. In addition to its sports and recreational facilities, it has hosted cultural activities, community celebrations, and public meetings.
This year, the park also became part of the network of cooling centers set up free of charge by Miami during the months of extreme heat, an initiative aimed at providing air-conditioned spaces for residents.
In October, your gym was used to hold community workshops on the urban future of Little Havana, where residents and business owners took part in discussions about preserving the historical elements of the neighborhood.
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