Commentary
Maurice A. Ferré Park
Why is our neighborhood park in such a state of disrepair? A commentary by Mark Kirby.
“Parks and playgrounds are the soul of a city.” Martin Rubin
The former Museum Park, now rechristened Maurice A. Ferré, can and should be a green oasis within the ever-increasing construction sites and maddening traffic. Unfortunately, the lack of proper maintenance and unintelligible policies regarding events make it a source of frustration for residents.
This is just one example of how poorly our park is maintained. I can’t tell you how many times the maintenance crews have had to restore this area of the park because there is no proper access for the support vehicles needed by the dock there. The restoration efforts have been totally irrational and it gets ruined every time a large vehicle uses those areas for access. It’s ridiculous.
After every major event whatever damage is done is never 100% repaired. There is a lack of trash receptacles so that during any event the dog waste receptacles get full to overflowing for a couple of days. The lawns are pockmarked with dry spots and weeds and after any significant rain, large swaths become muddy and marsh-like.
Plants and trees are either not being fertilized or just in poor condition. There has been no replacement of some of the taller decorative grasses, many have died, and there has been no new mulch around planting areas for a very long time, if at all.
Flora
Then we have the disgraceful monument sculpture base between 9th and 8th streets, Flora, the Collector of Dreams, by the renowned Cuban artist Cundo Bermudez. The base has been dilapidated for well over a year, and every day it gets worst. It should be repaired or removed and have the park restored to its original form.
A Marina?
Regarding proposals to make the inlet a commercial venture. While I’m not sure how I feel about this, I can say that the park is an amenity and should not be considered a money-making venture, unless said venture contributes in a positive way to the maintenance, restoration and increased enjoyment by the majority of the community and not just some narrow commercial interest that benefits a few wealthy yacht owners.
I will withhold judgment until I see what this concept would look like and how it would impact the park, but in the meantime, when is the Trust (Bayfront Park Management Trust) going to do its job and maintain this property the way it should be? I love this place but it really is a disgrace and I feel that the Trust is responsible for allowing the continuing degradation.
Mark Kirby is the Vice President of the Board of 900 Biscayne Bay, Board member of the DNA, and principal designer for Kirby DeSigns.
If you like what you just read, please hit the “share icon” below so others might read this essay. For more stories on Downtown Miami, click here.
