Ariel W.
Yelp
The Underline is a urban park spearheaded by the Friends of the Underline founded in 2013 by Meg Daly. One day after a bike accident where she broke both arms she was walking to therapy under the Metrorail tracks along a pre-existing bike path built in 1984, known as the M-Path. She realized that the tracks provided shade and how much room there was underneath not being utilized. Inspired by New York's High Line, she came up with the idea of creating a park underneath the Metrorail. Assisted by the University of Miami she formed the Friends of the Underline.
Today The Underline is the start of a 10 mile linear park below Miami's Metrorail. It is being developed in partnership between the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department, Friends of the Underline, City of Miami and City of Coral Gables. The park is opening in phases and will eventually run from the Miami River in Brickell to Kendall. The park is being designed by James Corner Field Operations who also developed New York City's High Line. The Underline will contain an urban trail for pedestrians and bicyclists, native plants, and trees, and public art as well as hosting events for the community like yoga, food, and networking opportunities. The first half mile northern section of The Underline called Brickell Backyard is now open.
The section that runs between Southwest 8th Street and the Brickell Metrorail station is called The River Room and it connects to the Miami River Greenway at the Miami River and SW 7th Street. Here you will find native grasses and pollinator plants. This area is dog friendly with a dog walk with a water bowl, clean up bags, and space for dogs to run and play.
The Urban Gym section is located between SW 7th and 8th Streets. Exercise and play equipment in the fenced in area includes a flex court for half-court basketball, mini pitch soccer, fitness equipment, and running track.
The Promenade section is located between SW 8th Street and the Brickell Metrorail station. It was designed to be a community gathering space with a sound stage, plaza for health & wellness, cultural and educational programs, communal dining table, tables for board games, and the Station Grove, a seating area at the Brickell Metrorail station entrance.
The Oolite Room runs two blocks from the Brickell Metromover station to Coral Way. This area make use of native oolite rock carved from Miami's Rock Ridge. The Oolite Room is a natural canyon of stone with four butterfly gardens and meditative spaces.
Under construction is phase 2, a 2.14-mile segment that connects SW 13th St. to SW 19th Ave just south of Vizcaya station. It is expected to include native plants and trees that will attract butterflies, bees, and birds and public art. Tentative opening is February 2023. Phase 3 is a 7.36-mile segment that will connect SW 19th Ave to its end at the Dadeland South Metrorail station Kiss and Ride Facility. The full park is expected to be open by 2025.
Future plans call for the Underline to connect to the proposed Ludlam Trail Linear Park which will connect with the 20.5 mi South Dade Rail Trail beyond Dadeland South, which runs along the South Dade rapid transit busway formerly the Florida East Coast Railway right of way which will end at Florida City. Together, the two paths form a continuous 31 mi off-road trail for pedestrians and cyclists. Both trails are part of the East Coast Greenway project.
The Underline is off to a great start and it is going to make it much safer to bike and walk in Miami as well as benefit it economically. People want safe spaces for outdoor recreation. I'm excited to explore what comes next. You can follow The Underline on Instagram to follow all of the latest developments.
