Editorial
Enough Already!
Amal Solh Kabbani
Bayfront Park and the Maurice A. Ferre Park are the only green spaces downtown residents have. These are the parks where we connect with nature and decompress from our daily stressed lives, walk our dogs, go for a run, these are our children’s playgrounds. Yet, these parks are in danger.
On Thursday, April 28, the City Commission will decide on an ordinance allowing “amusement rides” in Bayfront Park, Maurice A. Ferre Park, and American Airlines Arena.
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The second and definitive reading was deferred to have input by residents. We requested modifications to the language ensuring that parks remain parks. The only modification — dismissing downtown residents’ concerns — was to remove Coconut Grove Parks and Watson Island/Jungle Island from the equation.
Former Mayor Maurice Ferre, on whose honor, Museum Park was rechristened, courageously wrote to the Commissioners:
“My request to the sponsor, Commissioner Willy Gort, and to all of you is to please assure that all the Bayfront parks have no possibility of becoming Miami’s Coney Island.
“Please reject these and future requests to further intrude by again improperly monetizing our beautiful series of parks along the waterfront and river of Downtown Miami.”
Downtown Miami, despite near one hundred thousand residents, remains grossly neglected. Why? Lack of representation?
Let this be the opportunity to show our commissioners, our mayor, and other elected officials what we are capable of doing, and let’s show up in mass on Thursday to protect our parks.
Amal Solh Kabbani, President of the DNA.
