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—Once completed in spring of 2022, residents and visitors will be able to travel from South Beach to North Beach along a spectacular oceanfront promenade —
Construction is set to begin in early 2021 on the final segment of the Beachwalk, a more than 7-mile oceanfront promenade that will span the entire length of the city from South Beach through North Beach.
“Many of us in this city have had a lifelong dream of being able to enjoy sweeping views of the ocean as we jog, walk or ride a bicycle from one end of Miami Beach to the other,” Environment & Sustainability Director Elizabeth Wheaton explained. “The Beachwalk is the fruition of that dream.”
The health and condition of all existing trees and palms along the planned construction route were evaluated by a certified arborist. A total of 265 trees — including 183 palms that are in conflict with construction or in poor condition — will be removed as part of the project, but that loss will be more than offset by the addition of 433 new native and Florida-friendly canopy trees that have been selected for their hardiness in marine environments and their environmental benefits.
When complete in spring 2022, the Beachwalk will run from South Pointe Park in South Beach through Lummus Park and continue north before ending in North Beach Oceanside Park. The unfinished segment is located between 79 and 87 streets, and will be partially funded by the 2018 General Obligation Bond.
The city’s Beachwalk system is part of the larger East Coast Greenway, a walking and biking route stretching over 3,000 miles from Maine to Key West. This system of pedestrian and bikeways promotes alternative transportation and connects the community to parks, cultural institutions and business centers. This project is the final link in the Miami Beach portion of the East Coast Greenway. The final segment includes a 25-foot-wide, on-grade paver pathway, turtle-friendly lighting and salt-tolerant vegetation
The city’s recently adopted Urban Forestry Master Plan recommends diversifying the city’s tree canopy with salt-tolerant canopy trees most appropriate for beachfront areas. New trees in the planned Beachwalk area include gumbo limbo, pigeon plum, green buttonwood, silver buttonwood and Brazilian beautyleaf. Trees that are either being removed or relocated will be identified and tagged for a minimum of 30 days prior to work commencing.
