Twin Proposals for More Green Space on Key Biscayne Heading to Council

In this undated image from a drone video, the bayfront lawn of Crossbridge Church Key Biscayne is seen with downtown Miami in the background (Crossbridge Church Key Bicayne via Key News)

A bayfront park and a new park on Harbor Drive are on the wish list for a Village advisory group looking into more green space on Key Biscayne. The newly-renamed Parks and Open Spaces Board unanimously agreed Wednesday to move both ideas forward to the next stage – consideration by the Village Council.   

The first proposal would provide something much-longed for by both residents and officials: the possibility of an open green space contiguous with the bayfront, allowing the public to enjoy and access the water on the west side of the island.

The site proposed is on land owned by Crossbridge Church. Last month, the church informed its members that talks with a nonprofit  charter school provider fell through. But church leaders continue to explore ways to use their land for the benefit of the church, its preschool and the wider community.

“The goal of a bayfront park with a large green space has been a top priority since before incorporation,” said Pat Woodson, chair of the advisory Parks and Open Spaces Board.

The deal would take the form of a long-term lease, and any proposal would have to meet a strict set of criteria set out by the church, including the provision of funds for repair and maintenance of their buildings. If the Council is interested it will direct the Village manager to negotiate the terms – but officials may face competition, as Crossbridge is expected to open a request for qualifications process in late summer and consider more than one option.

“My hope is that together we can design an agreement that meets the needs of the church and school while also providing essential green space for residents of all ages. No doubt the resulting bayfront park campus of church and school would become a focal point of our community,” said Woodson.

The second proposal came from Dr. Steve Simon, a former board member, on behalf of the Parks Conservancy. Simon, who spearheaded the development of the park at 401 Hampton Lane, asked the board to consider the purchase of two lots on Harbor Drive to be converted into green space.

Lots 571 and 599 are currently listed for $2.3 million each. Board members were again unanimous that this idea met their criteria for investment, including the fact that the site is far from any other public park.

Additionally, said Woodson, “It would have the potential to magnify the impact of a related green space,” – that is, the common usage of Harbor Drive as a “linear park.”  

If the Council takes the board’s recommendation, it will direct the manager to explore further.

The twin proposals could benefit from the $7.4 million the Village currently has set aside to acquire land for open space.

The Parks and Open Spaces Board is one of nine special advisory committees operating in the Village. Members are nominated by the mayor and approved by the Council, usually for two-year terms.