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A restored and improved Franjo Park was reopened on Saturday, July 17, with much fanfare and a grand reopening ceremony.
The park, an important part of the community, originally had opened in the late 1960s but had to close in September 2017, due to substantial damage sustained from Hurricane Irma.
Attending the event were Town Mayor Tim Meerbott, Vice Mayor Michael Callahan, Councilmembers BJ Duncan, Suzy Lord and Roger Coriat as well as Miami-Dade District 8 Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins, who joined them for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. A large number of town residents attended.
Mayor Meerbott invited everyone to the big day in a live video.
“It’s finally arrived, the grand opening of Franjo Park,” he said. “The park has been down since Hurricane Irma. We’ve spent over three and a half million dollars refurbishing it. It’s a beautiful park. We’re having a great event — there’s free food, there’s music, we have shirts to give away. I hope everyone will come and enjoy it.”
The greatly beautified park improvements include:
● LED sports lighting system
● Golf cart parking area
● Electrical vehicle parking area
● Shade structure canopies
● Dugouts, backstops, and foul ball fencing
● Drainage system between fields
● Perimeter fencing
● Bermuda sod in athletic field
● Sidewalks around concession area and common areas
● Upgraded community room and offices
● Upgraded restroom facilities
● Upgraded concession stand facilities
● Laser grading clay infields
● Provided with ADA facilities
● Added community room
● High Efficiency/low flow fixtures and appliances
● Additional parking area
● Larger and safer spectator areas
The total project cost came in at $3,428,540, with nearly $600,000 of that sum being covered by grants, insurance and FEMA reimbursements the town staff worked hard to obtain.
There were many hurdles to clear to make the project happen.
First the town needed to ensure it received the maximum amount of funds from the insurance carrier and FEMA for the damages sustained from Hurricane Irma. That required several site inspection meetings with both the insurance carrier and FEMA representatives.
As a result the town was able to secure $394,691 in funding to restore the park. Since the town was receiving federal funds from FEMA, it had to comply with federal contract requirements, which are not part of the town’s standard bidding process.
Another factor that has delayed this project was the decision to restore the original buildings rather than demolish them, since many residents had great memories and affection for the park and the existing buildings.
Another delay was the discovery of asbestos in the building, which added more time to perform an asbestos removal and remediation process. Additionally, the park tested positive for arsenic, which also had to be addressed, adding yet more time.
There are still some permits and work remaining, but it is hoped it will all be resolved in the coming months.
Parks and Recreation staff had been able to accommodate the Perrine Baseball and Softball Association, who regularly held their games at Franjo Park, at the other town parks. Not one single baseball game had to be cancelled due to Franjo Park’s closure.
Jean Tong-Noon, president of the Cutler Ridge Woman’s Club, was one of those attending the event at the park.
“It was nice to see it come alive again with so many families attending,” Tong-Noon said.
“It was nice of Mayor Meerbott to acknowledge our CRWC 65th anniversary, and the new Community Center will be great for our CRWC meetings. Nice part was all the vendors taking part.”
The Luis Andrew Group and El Rinconcito Superlatino III sponsored the event. Franjo Park is located at 20175 Franjo Rd., Cutler Bay, FL 33189.
