A Project Idea to Help the Planning Process for Virginia Key

A Proposal for a Joint Project by Miami, Miami Dade County, the National Park Service and Other Partners:

Nature Link: The Miami Waterfront Center

Proposed by: Gregory Bush, Institute for Public History, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33124 gbush@miami.edu 305-667-4398

Potential Non profit Partners: Shake a Leg Miami, Nature Links, University of Miami, Fairchild Tropical Garden, Miami Science Museum, others

Summary:
Virginia Key has been deeded to local governments primarily for public use but past history has shown that the public interest has not been well served. A positive process of citizen engagement was initiated in 2000 by what became the Virginia Key Park Trust. The aim of this proposal is to expand that form of civic engagement to local residents of all ages, notably the student population, towards the end of building upon the present EDSA process, by planning and re-designing Virginia Key through a democratic Master Plan process, guided by professionals. The outcome shall enhance the public experience of the natural world and sensitize residents and tourists to diverse sub-tropical landscapes as well as to people from different ethnic and developmental backgrounds.

Nature Links:
Linking the Urban Environment and the Natural World
Linking Biscayne Bay Waterfront Sites
Linking Exceptional Young Adults and the broader community
Linking Educational, Governmental and Research Institutions

Goals:
1. Educate residents and tourists about the ecological conditions of the Miami areas, specifically on Virginia Key, including the Hardwood hammocks, mangrove and beach areas, as well as the history of the island and its varied uses.
2. Beautify Virginia Key and enhance and restore it as a natural resource; create nature trails, opportunities for exercise and experiencing natural world to a population that lives within a bike or bus ride away.
3. Provide a northern terminus and boat launching place for Biscayne National Park.
4. Using student organized service learning opportunities, create and exhibit educational and tourist materials as well as video documentaries focused on science, art, local history and culture.
5. Provide job training for young adults with developmental delays and disabilities in areas such as food service and community gardening, nature interpreters, boat building, camping.
6. Foster park maintenance, swimming and boat safety, as well as food service by providing job opportunities for young adults in several island locations.

Site Activity:
-educational exhibits, websites, videography
-nature walks, exercise
-food, entertainment
-nature exhibits
-boat launching
-water and land linkage around the island through paths, trams, boats

Design Process:
This process will involve selected members of MD County students, university students, and the public in a steering committee that oversees the design process- assisted by professionals and planners.
-Students will conduct videotaped public interviews with park officials, city officials, naturalists, business owners and others to assess the background and prospects for the development of the island. Oral history of design professionals, planners, and naturalists focused on the island. There would be several focus groups involved to ascertain the needs of city and county residents, the true stakeholders in the future of the island.
-A history of land use on the island would be conducted.
-There would be one or more hearings before the city’s Parks Advisory Board, the Virginia Key Park Trust Board and other bodies to assess developing Master Plan Ideas.
-Building upon the work of the city consultant, EDSA, there would be several public forums and design workshop and a website that charts the developing sets of ideas.
-Assessment- re-adjustment

Focus of Analysis:
1. Basin: From the Rusty Pelican to Marine Stadium To Mast Academy
2. Integrating NOAA, Marine Fisheries and Rosenstiel School
3. Virginia Key Beach Park- Civil rights history
4. Jimbo’s- eatery, kayaking, low scale activity
5. Beach restoration area of City of Miami Parks/County Derm
6. Wastewater Treatment Plant
7. North Beach area- Mountain Bike Trail, Walking Trails, youth nature camp
8. Landfill Area- unknown status due to environmental conditions- pending

Political Considerations:
-Multi-jurisidictional questions involved
-City of Miami: costs and potential revenue, increase in usable park land, well designed land uses.
-Miami Dade County: Derm, Planning Dept; Parks and Rec
-Key Biscayne: desire for schools, ball fields
-Miami Dade Public Schools.
-Need to honor existing Deed restrictions