Stage one of 'The Underline' in Miami opens
The first phase of ‘The Underline’ in Miami, a stretch known as Brickell Backyard, opened to the public in February after seven years of planning and construction.
The 16 kilometre, 48 hectare linear park and urban trail is still in construction. Slated for completion in 2025, it will boost business along the Miami River and connect walking, biking and jogging trails to transit.
The Underline is transforming the land below Miami’s Metrorail into a 16 kilometer linear park, urban trail destination.
Brickell Backyard in Miami’s Brickell neighbourhood was designed by James Corner Field Operations, and runs from Miami River to southwest 13th Street. It features urban biking and walking paths, a basketball and soccer court, outdoor gym, butterfly gardens and gathering spaces, as well as a line of domino tables, community dining table for 50, outdoor ping-pong tables and a community stage.
Its River Room is filled with native grasses, trees and flowers, attracting butterflies, bees and birds. It also includes green infrastructure to mitigate stormwater flooding.
The Underline includes an outdoor gym, among other activations for the space underneath the Miami metro.
The nearby Promenade features a sound stage, Brickell Station, gaming tables, and walking and biking paths, while the Oolite Room adds four butterfly gardens nestled in a natural stone canyon, supporting plants in attracting and feeding endangered pollinator species.
Green signage and crosswalks guide visitors through the developments as trains pass overhead, and native landscaping lines pedestrian areas, includeing gamma grass and scarlet sage.
Brickell Backyard in Miami’s Brickell neighbourhood was designed by James Corner Field Operations,
Phase two of The Underline, Vizcaya Station, is currently in construction. Stretching more than two miles from Southwest 13th Street to Southwest 19th Avenue, it features the Simpson Park Playground Area, Vizcaya Station Plaza and 17th Avenue Plaza.
This phase will include a 36% increase in tree shade canopy from the addition of 100,000 native plants, including 1,000 trees, to attract butterflies, birds and bees.
A bioswale, green infrastructure, and below-ground drainage will help with stormwater flooding and runoff, and native vegetation will support the planned restoration of the Pine Rockland, Hardwood Hammock, Pollinator and Wet Prairie ecosystems.
Phase two of the project is currently under construction.
Resting areas along the path are oolitic limestone boulders and benches, and LED lighting is Dark Sky compliant.
The final phase, Miami, will stretch seven miles from Southwest 19th Avenue to Dadeland South Metrorail Station.
The Underline is part of the High Line Network and sits directly below the above-ground Miami Metrorail system.
Green signage and crosswalks guide visitors through the developments.
Once complete, it will extend southwest along the Miami Metrorail line from Miami River in Brickell to Dadeland South Station, passing through neighbourhoods and hot spots such as Vizcaya, Coconut Grove and the University of Miami.
“Inspired by South Florida and the Miami region, The Underline will become a significant social and civic spine for the area that will foster community, enhance value, and encourage recreation and healthy living,” say the High Line Network. “It will facilitate connectivity and social exchange, connecting people to their surroundings and each other.”
The Underline is part of The Highline Network.