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Neat Streets Miami-Dade County awarded 17 organizations with matching grants to green up public lands in the county and advance the Million Trees Miami-Dade County initiative, a community-wide effort to achieve a 30 percent overall tree canopy. The Town of Cutler Bay and the Village of Palmetto Bay are among them.
The Town of Cutler Bay received a 2023 Green Miami-Dade County Matching Grant for its Blue Heron Park project in the amount of $13,184. The Village of Palmetto Bay received a 2023 Green Miami-Dade County Matching Grant for its 2023 Shading Palmetto Bay in the amount of $19,630.
County Commissioner Eileen Higgins stressed the importance of the awards.
“As the chair of Neat Streets Miami-Dade County, I am excited to work alongside our municipal partners, to increase our countywide tree canopy,” Commissioner Higgins said.
“Never before have we awarded so much money to such a diverse pool of applicants. The investments in public land will go a long way in reaching our 30 percent urban tree canopy goal, making a real difference in the health and beauty of our community.”
Blue Heron is a five-acre park located at SW 216th Street and 97th Avenue. The park features a half-mile-long paved multi-use path, outdoor fitness equipment, benches, and pavilions. As part of the Blue Heron Park project, the Town of Cutler Bay planted 35 native and Florida-friendly trees including 12 Gumbo Limbo, six Green Buttonwood, eight Pigeon Plum, six Satin Leaf, and three Black Ironwood.
Besides being aesthetically pleasing and improving the environment, more importantly the addition of 35 new trees expands the tree canopy along the path. The additional trees will greatly increase shade which helps to cool the area as well as improve the safety and comfort of citizens who visit the park.
“Our community is one that constantly takes action to preserve, restore, and improve our environmental surroundings,” said Mayor Tim Meerbott. “Through the Neat Streets Miami-Dade County grant, Cutler Bay is able to continue to increase the town’s tree canopy. A substantial tree canopy aids in cooling the area, cleans the air, increases property value, and reduces energy costs; all of which improve our quality of life.”
The 2023 GREEN Miami-Dade County Matching Grant is made possible through the county’s Tree Trust Fund; preference was given to areas with low tree canopy and low-to-moderate income populations.
Palmetto Bay Mayor Karyn Cunningham said she was pleased with the award in an email to residents.
“Residents in District 3 have probably noticed lots of new greenery over the past few days,” Mayor Cunningham said. “That’s because Palmetto Bay applied for and received funding through the GREEN Miami-Dade Neat Streets Matching Grant Program to plant 51 crepe myrtle and redberry stopper trees in our District 3 public swales as we continue rebuilding our tree canopy and inventory.
“By including redberry stopper trees in this planting, the village is giving a boost to a tree that was listed as Endangered by the state of Florida in our southeast area. Redberry stoppers have small, fragrant flowers and attractive berries, making it a great ornamental and bird-friendly addition to our village,” the mayor added.
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