The second phase of the Underline, an urban trail and linear park that runs under the elevated Metrorail track, is set to open Wednesday.
Why it matters: The $16.5 million project, dubbed Vizcaya Station, is the latest of county efforts to improve safety for people walking or riding bikes, boost native vegetation and encourage community.
- The 2.14-mile segment connects downtown Brickell at SW 13th Street to north Coconut Grove at SW 19th Avenue.
Catch up quick: The project’s first phase, Brickell Backyard, opened in 2021 and runs along the Miami River to SW 13th Street.
- The half-mile segment includes biking and walking paths, an outdoor gym and gathering spaces.
The trail will feature three amenity areas, according to the Miami Herald:
- The Hammock Playground, with nature-inspired equipment.
- Vizcaya Station Plaza, a shaded seated area designed to host community events.
- The Rain Garden, which includes the first of a series of planned bioswales to collect and filter rainwater.
Yes, but: Vizcaya Station could face issues that have emerged since Brickell Backyard debuted, like people walking on the bike paths, obstructing cyclists and ignoring signs, the outlet reported.
- Meg Daly, founder and president of Friends of the Underline, the nonprofit that oversees the trail, acknowledged to the Herald the need for more education, but said “there will be a lot of compliance.”
What’s next: The final phase — a 7-mile stretch — is set to open in late 2025 or early 2026, the newspaper reported.
- It will run through Coconut Grove, Coral Gables and South Miami, and conclude at the Dadeland South station.
