Commentary
We Need the Arrow in Bayfront Park
The fictional character The Arrow is a skilled Vigilante whose goal is saving his Star City. He inspired and formed a team of partnering vigilantes who work to stop corruption, greed and evil in Star City. The Arrow’s key phrase every time he confronts such an individual: “You Have Failed this City!” By Rev. Pedro Martinez.
My wife and I are hooked on the TV series Arrow. The Arrow is an American Superhero named Oliver Queen, a billionaire playboy, that spent five years shipwrecked on the Island Lian You — nicknamed Purgatory. Oliver survived horrific events and suffering, eventually deciding to return home to his City, Starling City/Star City.
Oliver became a highly skilled Vigilante whose goal is saving his Star City. He inspired and formed a team of partnering vigilantes that work to stop corruption, greed and evil in Star City. The Arrow has a key phrase every time he confronts such an individual: “You Have Failed this City!”
I often fantasize that my City of Miami would have its own Arrow that would confront and put an end to corruption, greed and dishonesty. Bayfront Park is the most iconic and historical tract of land in the City of Miami. The Tequesta and previous peoples lived between the current Bayfront Park edging the Bay to Miami River, and it’s the place Julia Tuttle, the mother of Miami, purchased, and where Henry Flagler built the first hotel and brought the train.
This historical site, however, has been turned into The Events Park, hosting multiple events that invade the Park (some for up to 2 months prohibiting even children from playing in the park). The list is long: Ultra-Music Festival, Wodapalooza, concerts, athletic events, etc. These events destroy the lawn and dry-up the trees from lack of irrigation and maintenance. Garbage is left behind all over, as well as zip-ties and bones that are dangerous to pets. The fountain has been broken for years, water and algae enter from the Bay, it accumulates and then is pumped onto the lawn infecting the ecosystem even more. The benches and the garbage cans are rusty and depleted (be careful not to scrape yourself as you may need a tetanus shot). The park’s promenade (its entrance) is like a jigsaw puzzle full of cracks and dirt. Chronic homeless individuals, homeless by choice, reside in the park and sleep on the benches, the shaded areas, day and night. They defecate and urinate in the lawn, on the benches or wherever they so want (even at daytime).
Soon, the Park will have massive illuminated advertising signs to generate greater massive light pollution. This was the creation of two Commissioners, Alex Diaz de la Portilla and Joe Carollo (who is also the Chairman of the Board of Bayfront Park). Bayfront Park already has multiple 5G towers located all over the Park and five massive solar tree panels that are an eye soar to its natural beauty. Maybe one day the City and/or the Board of Bayfront Park will decide to sell the Park to developers and eliminate the memory of Bayfront Park forever.
Noise Pollution
Next Tuesday, January 31st, the Board of Bayfront Park will vote to increase Noise Pollution by allowing events every day of the week until midnight. Noise from the music, the set-up and take-down of those events, attendees that scream, DJ’s and MC’s sometimes working on sound systems as early as 7 AM and the additional traffic noise. The Board Members and Director don’t live in downtown Miami, but this is the home for thousands of people that have children, elderly, families that need to live, work, play and sleep.
Becoming the Arrow
My fellow downtown residents, we need The Arrow! Each of us can be “The Arrow”. We can confront the continual wrongs to our park, and, in a peaceful and decent manner, communicate to those in power: “You Have Failed this Park” and “You have Failed this City”.
Please join us! Come on February 14, 2023, at Noon to the Bayfront Park Board meeting at the Park’s Office. (The original meeting scheduled for January 31 was postponed.) The BPMT is located in Bayfront Park, facing East. Its doors are behind the statue of Christopher Columbus. We can be The Arrow to save this Park. May God help us serve our City and save Bayfront Park.
Reverend Pedro Martinez is a Downtown resident.
