South Pointe Park Layout

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report
HARGREAVES ASSOCIATES WITH SAVINO & MILLER, WILLIAM LANE ARCHITECT 0 FOR THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FL JULY 2005
Acknowledgements
Mayor David Dermer

Commissioner Matti Herrera Bower
Commissioner Simon Cruz
Commissioner Luis R. Garcia, Jr.
Commissioner Saul Gross
Commissioner Jose Smith
Commissioner Richard Steinberg
Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager

Tim Hemstreet, Assistant City Manager
City of Miami Beach Departments:

Capital Improvements Projects Office
Jorge Chartrand
Kristin McKew
Ronnie Singer
Diana Trettin
Nury Menicucci
Parks and Recreation
Kevin Smith
Dale Bryant
Ocean Rescue
Vincent Andreano
Planning and Zoning
Jorge Gomez
William H. Cary
Thomas Mooney
Rubin Caldwell
Michael Belush
And the hundreds of community members who participated

in the planning process.

Executive Summary 5
1.0 What are the planning tasks? 9 6.0 What impacts might the changes cause? 81
Purpose, scope & team Positive impacts - improved systems
Boundaries people & pet interaction
Planning process servicing & safety access
comfort & conveniences
2.0 What makes up the place? 15 signage, interpretation & art
Existing spaces & facilities planting & habitat
People & park users energy & lighting
3.0 How does the place work? 21 Negative impacts - mitigation
Visitation
7.0 Which changes should be made? 89
Changes over time
Recommended improvements
4.0 Does the place work well? 29 Implementation strategy
Park user satisfaction Funding
Park differentiation Compliance & Approvals
Layout issues Schedule
5.0 How might the place be changed? 35 Appendices 93

Layout strategy Appendix A Meeting Minutes
10 Improvement projects Appendix B Budget Opinion of Cost
Evolution of layouts Appendix C: Pavilion Plans, Sections and Detailed Program
Variable funded layouts

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
improvements that enrich & enliven an amazing
place
a unified park, with

exciting places for play,
relaxation, and discovery
improved circulation,
parking, and
infrastructure for a safer,
better functioning park
celebrates the natural
features of the ocean,
government cut, and
biscayne bay
strengthens connections
to adjacent
neighborhoods,
pathways, and streets

South Pointe Park Improvements: a memorable,
comfortable park experience.
More than ever, parks serve an important role in cities, Since the City’s Parks Bond Master Plan was issued in 1995,
providing places for leisure, gathering, recreation, and there have been various efforts to consider and plan
entertainment, catering to visitors and local community improvements to South Pointe Park. Because of ongoing
alike. Parks stabilize neighborhoods and encourage private dramatic land use and demographic changes in the
sector investment. Done well, parks provide a positive immediate area around the Park, the planning of these
community focal point that responds to the culture, climate improvements has been delayed until now. The recent
and place in a beautiful, well crafted manner. agreement between the City and the private landowner
adjacent to the Park provides the transfer of approximately
South Pointe Park‘s location and surrounding neighborhood two acres to the Park. With these two items determined, the
sets it up to be one of Miami Beach’s premiere parks. Its City saw this as the optimal point to begin designing the
location at the southern most tip of Miami Beach allows South Pointe Park Improvement Project.
users to see the region in three ways- the Atlantic Ocean to
the East, Government Cut and Fisher Island to the South, Planning efforts first focused on solving some of the existing
and Biscayne Bay and the Port of Miami to the West. These core physical problems and understanding the Park’s history
provide wide horizons for viewing sunrises and sunsets, and role in Miami Beach. Next, options were created with
watching huge cruise and cargo ships passing by, and community involvement and input that showcased the best of
observing the tidal relationship between the Bay and the the Park’s assets and unify the Park’s spaces. Lastly, some
Ocean. The adjacent neighborhood is lively and growing, detailed Park concerns that emerged further along in the
making South Pointe Park a daily destination for hundreds. design process were solved. In all, the improvements
Regional users visit for picnicking, views, and its adjacency suggested in the Recommended Plan for South Pointe Park
to some of the best surfing beaches in Miami Beach. achieved overwhelming consensus with the community.
Additionally, there is great excitement from the community to
After the initial park was created following the Federal land implement this plan quickly.
transfer in 1985, South Pointe Park has had few
improvements in design and infrastructure. Currently, picnic
buildings are crumbing, planting areas have become
overgrown, and lighting is not consistently working. These
isolated issues brought to attention the overarching need to
upgrade the park as a whole: a transformation to meet
modern park needs and create an exciting, beautiful
destination for neighbors and visitors alike.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
improvements to showcase an amazing place
Location of South Pointe Park, Miami Beach, Florida

Planning Principles Ten Improvement Projects
The existing configuration and lack of program depress the Working with these principles, 10 improvement projects and a
park experience at South Pointe Park. The Park has a Recommended Plan were created. These improvement
natural, relaxed feeling, but also lacks detail and richness projects are the spaces, frameworks and features that
that make the park a memorable experience. Facilities are together will make a unified, fully integrated park from the
aged and non-functioning. Principles were developed early park boundaries and to the adjacent neighborhoods.
to frame Park planning options. These are: Spaces
1. Bay Inlet: enhances the connection to Biscayne Bay
1. Park’s edges shall respond to beach, bay and 2. Palm Lawns: open lawns for passive, informal uses
neighborhood frontages 3. Tropical Garden Lots: uses garden areas to screen and
2. Connect Park walks with off-site walks reorganize parking lots
3. Integrate the Alaska Parcel into the new Park design 4. Dune Fields: lawn and native planted landforms
4. Keep, but enhance, lawn areas for passive uses Framework and Features
5. Remove barriers in the Park that separate it into three 5. Mid Park Walks: activates the center of the park
sub areas and limit sight lines 6. Cut Walk: accentuates the dramatic park edge
6. Create a mid Park walk for enhanced pedestrian access 7. Park Pavilion: creates a new community amenity
and patrol 8. Playground: unique, regionally derived play experiences
7. Upgrade “Cut Walk” to enhance the experience and 9. Washington Avenue Entry: an inviting gateway
relieve congestion 10. Fishing Pier: elements of pier remain for continued access
8. Consolidate new building program to one well designed
Park pavilion Project Cost, Schedule, and Next Steps
9. Add missing program to diversify Park users and The Recommended Plan is estimated to cost $10.2 million,
experiences such as a playground which is about $2.2 million more than the current budget. A
10.Mitigate the negative effects of the current parking, cost estimate is detailed in the appendix of this report. A
without adding more cars detailed project schedule and next steps is provided in
11.Address the future of the fishing pier and its relationship Section 7 of this report. Briefly, the next steps are:
to the Park
Action: Approximate time to complete:
1. Obtain additional funding: not known
2. Additional agency approval: not known
3. Design documentation: eight months
4. Construction: twelve months

WHAT ARE THE PLANNING TASKS?
1.0 to improve parks because we believe parks
improve us
“We are committed to fulfilling

the recreational, cultural and PEOPLE
leisure interests of all that live,
gente
work and play in our vibrant,
tropical, historic community”
City of Miami Beach Parks & Recreation

Mission
IMPROVE IMPROVE
mejore mejore
PARKS
parques

Purpose & Scope Planning Team: Community, City, and Consultants
The City and community had desired to improve the Park for The City selected from short listed firms the landscape
over a decade, however, rapid change in surrounding architecture firm Hargreaves Associates in December 2004
neighborhood necessitated postponing. In the meantime, to lead the planning efforts for South Pointe Park
the Park’s facilities and infrastructure are outdated or in
need of essential repairs. However, the Park’s popularity Improvements. Savino Miller Design Studio and William
with daily users and visitors has not waned. This planning Lane Architects assisted in landscape architecture and
study is the chance to change and bring the Park into the architecture development, respectively. The Consultant
future. team worked closely with the City and the community. Two
Community Design Workshops were held with the
The purpose of this phase of work was to develop a concept community, which were very effective at shaping the plan.
plan that met the City’s function requirements, addressed Turnout was exceptional with over 60 attendees at both
community input, and stayed within the established meetings. In addition, there were multiple meetings with city
schedule and cost parameters, vision, program and cost for
agencies such as Capital Improvement Projects Office
South Pointe Park.
(client), Parks and Recreation, Planning and Zoning, and
The planning phase of the project included the following Ocean Rescue.
major tasks: 1) Project kickoff meeting; 2) Visioning session
with the City to clarify project goals and confirm Project Boundaries
Budget; 3)Site Reconnaissance Visit and Development of The study area is:
Design Concept Alternatives; 4) two Community Design • Existing South Pointe Park (approximately 17 acres)
Workshops to provide residents the opportunity to • The new “Alaska” parcel (approximately 2 acres) to be
participate in the planning process; and 5) the preparation transferred to the City as a part of the Apogee Project
and presentation of a Basis of Design Report (BODR) for agreement with the Related Group. This also includes the
approval by the Mayor and City Commission. small boat basin located on Government Cut.
• The existing pier, where the Consultant team was to make
a recommendation for the improvements to the pier
although it is outside the Park boundaries. Further design
of the pier would occur as a separate project.
• Connections between the Park and adjacent pedestrian
and street corridors like Ocean Drive and Washington
Avenue

1.0 approach parks as ecological, social &
economic interactive systems
inputs communities
public gov biz

what parts make up the
management
place?
911 $
what processes are at place boundary funds
work?
materials
information
waves
spaces within
does the place work
well? rain
materials & facilities
P $
how might it be sun
revenue
changed? living resources energy
what impacts might the moon visitors biomass

changes cause?
value &
which changes should experience
be to made?
run off, erosion pollution noise dog waste

waste, pests, weeds congestion vandalism
compaction graffiti, litter anti-social behavior
outputs
Planning Process Approach: understand issues of and more difficult to quantify. In order to receive the
outputs and inputs maximum investment in park design and improvements,
Well designed and integrated parks can be the civic and park maintenance and other public service budgets should
cultural focus of a community. Beneficial park outputs are correlate to reach the maximum quality standard
both physical and psychological, and affect to people and achievable.
other living creatures that visit the park. Parks can provide a
piece of nature and cool respite for people and essential Park systems also have inputs that effect its use and
habitat for birds, small mammals and reptiles, and insects. appearance. Perhaps most obvious are the physical inputs-
Parks are also common ground for civic gatherings, the sun, land, trees, rain, and wind which shape the unique
protests, celebrations, and sports activities. As more people characteristics of the place. These tend to be the building
live in multi-family housing and high rise developments, blocks for park design.
parks are needed outdoor space for relaxation, escape, and
exercise. When programmed accordingly, parks can also Parks are also a place for people to work, whether vendors,
provide concession services to visitors, which provide a maintenance personnel, or police. These people input
revenue stream to a city. quality of appearance, safety and service in parks.
In its negative aspect, park’s outputs are the litter, waste, Finally, one of the most important inputs to parks are the
traffic, and crime that come with popular civic places. people who use them. The most successful, vibrant parks
Unfortunately, park design cannot solve all social problems, are used by a diversity of people at all times of day.
but can minimize or deter negative outputs. For example,
open sight lines and generously sized paths can both Why do we study park outputs and inputs? To prioritize the
provide a comfortable pedestrian experience and support needs of this specific place, conditions, and people. For
police cars for occasional patrolling. South Pointe Park, there were several issues that emerged
during the planning process that helped the Consultant team
All of this comes with an economic cost, another negative understand and balance the input and output factors. These
output. Park development costs depend on design goals to are discussed more specifically in the 10 Improvement
be met and budget allowances. Ongoing maintenance and Projects Section of this Report.
services after park design is essential for a park’s success,

1.0 continuous planning & design study
F M A M J J
kick off site visioning community community draft BODR final BODR
visit concepts design design report report
what parts make up the workshop 1 workshop 2
place?
what processes are at
adapt
work?
does the place work
well?
review
study
how might it be
changed?
what impacts might the
changes cause? act
which changes should

be to made?
times change
changes in information, perceptions, technology, funding, standards, boundaries etc

Planning Process Steps & Schedule
Park planning is a collaborative process that starts and Key Project Dates: Purpose
finishes with a unifying purpose- that by working together December Project Kickoff Meeting
we can improve our environment. A core philosophy for
work on South Pointe Park is that it is rooted in the March 10 City Visioning Session
specificities of this site, community, program, and users. Consultant Team presented analysis
and three options to City
A project network of interdependent relationships was
fostered between the city, community members, design April 7 Community Design Workshop 1
team, city leaders, and approving agencies. Consultant Team presented analysis,
three options, and a
As the design decisions were understood and clarified along recommended scheme to
the process, collaboration ‘looped’ to involve and seek Community. Discussion followed.
feedback of people at key steps.
June 2 Community Design Workshop 2
Consultant Team presented refined
Recommended Scheme to
community based on input at CDW 1.
Discussion followed.
July 11 General Obligation Bond Oversight

Meeting
July 27 City Commission Meeting

Consideration of Final BODR

WHAT PARTS MAKE UP THE PLACE?
2.0 existing spaces & facilities
17 acres existing murano biscayne st.
av.
2 acres added apogee
n
ingto
portofino
P public parking-
wash
115 spaces
boat continuum
restaurant basin lawn
P
P restaurant parking-105 spaces
lawn dune
additional
maintenance storage public park
shelter
grove
restrooms beach
shared walk & bikeway existing

public park jetty
gov
shelters ern
me
nt c
ut
beach boardwalk pier
fishing pier
fisher
island

Existing Spaces and Facilities
South Point Park’s location and views are simply unparalleled
in the region. However, many of its physical elements are in
need of replacement or enhancement. The elements existing in
the Park are:
• Parking. Out of approximately 220 spaces, 105 spaces
are devoted to restaurant use. Parking needs are met
during the week, but at weekends when need is high, users
often Park on nearby streets and utilize the park for beach
access.
• Restaurant. The Restaurant is a popular destination with
outdoor seating provided south of the building. The
restaurant has a lease with the City until 2025.
• Maintenance building. This facility is unattractive, in poor
condition, and splits the Park. It provides a small classroom
and storage for Parks & Recreation and Ocean Rescue.
• Restrooms. This facility is in poor condition, isolated and
does not provide adequately accessible facilities.
• Shared walk and bikeway. At 12 feet wide, the walk
becomes congested at times. For comparison, the Beach
Walk is approximately 20 feet wide.
• Shelters. Many of the picnic shelters are in poor condition.
They are not used frequently and are seen as attracting
homeless population to the Park.
• Beach Boardwalk. The elevated, wooden boardwalk is a
barrier to the beach from the park. It is also not connected to
adjacent walks. This is also seen as attracting homeless to
the Park as it provides covered shelter beneath.
• Fishing Pier. Closed to public access because of structural
deterioration, the pier is one the few remaining in the area.

2.0 people : demographics
cruise ship passengers people from people in

cars (7)
are the largest “user” park
0% recreation
group
(3)
residents & visitors are 16%
increasingly cosmopolitan people from
restaurant
city residents are (4)
people from
swamped by visitors cruise ships 3%
sustainable tourism & (6) people from
76% towers (5)
sustainable communities
5%
City Population by Residence (1) City Residents by Race (8)
city resident -
1. City of Miami Beach Market Study 2002 fulltime mexican
cuban
2. opinion of how many people in the world 0% city resident - 1% white
13%
see an image out of city resident seasonal 27%
staying nights 0% puerto rican
3. estimate 420,000 people / yr 3% black or african
4. estimate 250 people/day 23%
other hispanic or american
5. 30% of units in portofino, continuum, latino 3%
american
murano /day from (1) 18% Indian/alaska native
6. 50% of Port of Miami 2003 passengers asian 0%
7. estimate 35 cars/day at Washington Ave. 1%
out of city resident hispanic or latino(of
terminus
on day trip any race)
8. US Census 2000 77% 34%

People: Demographics in the Park.
Residents. Miami Beach is home to a culturally, racially and
demographically diverse population. Day to day Park use
reflects this richness in its broad diversity of users. It is also
used for other specific cultural purposes. For example, the Park
is a popular location for quinceaneras photographs.
Visitors. Miami Beach is also one of the country’s most popular

tourist destinations. Because of the Park’s location at the
southern end of Miami Beach, day to day use by tourists is not
as popular as other places in Miami Beach. But the view of the
Park from cruise ships makes those passengers the largest
Park user group.

2.0 people : in park user profiles
Who lives here?

transients
Who works here?
restaurant staff
city staff
film crews
Who plays here?
locals & visitors
dog owners
diners
Who learns here?
locals kids summer
camp
People: Park User Profiles
Most South Point Park users are using the Park in expected
ways- relaxing on the lawn, walking along Government Cut,
running or biking through as a part of a longer route, and
passing through on the way to the beach. There are other user
groups to consider in planning park improvements:
Transients. The picnic shelters, boardwalk and large mound

are isolated and protected for lodging by homeless. While Park
design cannot solve social issues like these, it can deter
excessive use by homeless through physical changes and
design.
Workers. The Park is a place of work for many people. As

such, it needs to provide adequate circulation and facilities so
that their use does not detract from overall Park experience.
Day to Day Park Users. People come to the Park alone, with
family or friends, and with their pets. This is the largest user
group whose needs are the primary focus of improvement
projects here.
Children. Parks and Recreation uses a room in the existing

maintenance building for a popular summer fishing camp. This
is a terrific way to engage and teach children about the
environment and this place. Along with the classroom, the Park
could expand its outreach to children vis-à-vis playgrounds,
habitat oriented landscapes, and informal play areas.

WHAT PROCESSES ARE AT WORK?
3.0 visitation : activities
walking to beach is
South Pointe Park user activities rank (3) Biscayne Bay resident user activates rank (2)
mostly a weekend &
holiday activity Walking to Beach 1 Viewing the Bay while walking, dining 1
Walking the Cut 2 Swimming 2
Eating out / dining out 3 Fishing 3
other activities are both Bicycling 4 Boating for pleasure / partying 4
weekend & weekday Walking with dog 5 Sailing 5
Walking with stroller 6 Picnicking on Bay 6
Sitting & viewing ships 7 Snorkeling 7
the park is very social- Jogging/running 8 Scuba diving 8
over 90% of people are Blading 9 Sunset cruise 9
Blading with dog 10 Canoeing / Kayaking 10
with other people or pets Quinceaneras 11 Windsurfing 11
Sitting & reading 12 Personal watercraft boating 12
missing activities & Sleeping in shade 12
Personal watercraft boating 12
programs (eg. kids play, Cooking out 12
small events) Skateboarding 12
Picnicking 12
Photography 12
viewing ships & Fishing 12
quinceaneras is unique Swimming (not permitted) 12
Segwaying 12
(2) Intercept survey of residents winter 2004, Biscayne Bay Economic Study Task 2 Report
(3) Observations president's day weekend 2005

Visitation: activities.
With its inherent beauty, and the frequency of warm, sunny
weather, simply being at South Pointe Park is an enjoyable
activity. Many of the activities that occur at South Pointe Park
are informal, passive uses. Expectedly, visitation peaks on
weekends. Still, Miami Beach residents are physically active
and many Park users come to the Park for daily exercise.
Viewing the passing ships is an activity unique to this Park.

Unlike the beach area, from here one can view close-up the
huge cargo ships, passenger ships and smaller motor craft
passing by.
Government Cut’s currents are too swift for access directly into
the water. Therefore water sports here such as swimming,
kayaking and surfing are unsafe and discouraged.

3.0 visitation : yearly patterns
over 400,000 visits /yr

peak season J F M A
50000
weekend far exceeds events
45000 weekend
weekday use weekday
40000
no event spikes 35000
spring break spike 30000
25000
visitation will increase
20000
15000
10000
5000
0
J F M A M J J A S O N D

Visitation: yearly patterns
Peak use of the Park is in late winter and spring, when Miami
Beach has a larger population of residents and visitors, and the
weather is cooler.
There are few civic events held here. Of those occurring here,
they tend to be small in size and do not effect overall visitation
numbers.
During the planning process, a questionnaire issued at

Community Design Workshop #1 showed that:
• Residents visit the Park more than 100 days/ year
• Used all seasons/ all times of day- afternoon, spring most
popular
• Most come with a companion- spouse, friend or children
• Most spend 1 hour or less in the Park
Daily and weekly patterns are diagrammed on the following two

pages.

3.0 visitation : weekday patterns
early a.m. walking & murano biscayne st
av.
running
n
apogee
ingto
service deliveries & portofino
wash
maintenance crews bay
P P continuum
morning dog walking lawn
P
restaurant lunching dune
lawn
shelter
lunch time visits grove
beach
afternoon dog walking
afternoon running gov
jetty
ern
me
sunset photography nt c
ut
pier
fishing
restaurant dining fisher
island
park closes
visitation: weekend patterns
P
murano av.
n biscayne st Weekday parking control
apogee
ingto
early beach parking

portofino
wash
bay P
parking in offsite and
P continuum walking through park to
lawn
P beach
lawn dune leaving beach to use

shelter
grove
restroom & shower
beach walking back from beach
to parked cars
jetty
gov
ern
me
nt c
ut
pier
fisher
island

3.0 change over time
Pre 1900’s 1905 Government Cut opened by

Ocean beach dunes Miami Mayor Sewell
Mangrove bay inlets 1907 Southern jetty
1902 Government Cut dredging to 18’ 1914 first streets laid out
project authorized by Federal 1915 Town of Miami Beach
Government incorporated
Photograph Source: Historical Museum of

Southern Florida

Historic Development
Before development began in the mid 1910’s,
Miami Beach was a wild subtropical barrier
island with dunes and scrub forests to the east,
and mangrove forests along Biscayne Bay. As
Miami Beach rapidly developed to a resort and
winter home haven, those wild landscapes are
gone from almost all of Miami Beach.
The desire to expand the Port of Miami meant

the creation and subsequent widening and
dredging of Government Cut. This created
South Pointe Park’s southern edge. For
decades, the land that is today’s South Pointe
Park was used by the Federal Government
until its transfer in 1985 to the City of Miami
Beach for public use.
1926 Hurricane damage 1968 Government Cut dredged to 36’
Since the transfer, Park improvements have
1925 Government Cut dredged to 25’ 1972 ‘Mardi Gras’ runs aground been incremental and satisfied Park needs for
many years. However, the last decade has
1927 Million Dollar Pier & Kennel Club 1985 Federal Government transfers seen a residential increase surrounding the
land to City of Miami Beach for public Park and an increase in Park use. Park
1935 Government Cut dredged to 30’
use facilities are worn, utilities are outdated, and
1968 Government Cut dredged to 36’ basic Park amenities such as benches and
1990 Government Cut dredged to 44’ trashcans are limited.
Biscayne Bay Pilots move base
1992 Andrew damage
2005 Government Cut Centennial

DOES THE PLACE WORK WELL?
4.0 park user satisfaction
Overall Rank Indicator of Low Value 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Indicator of High Value
recreational opportunites no appropriate activities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 plenty of appropriate activites

sense of community pride neglect, no community events 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 pride, community events
feeling of relaxation & escape tense 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 relaxed
feeling of happiness & fun dull & boring 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 enjoyable, fun
recreational opportunities not enough 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 plenty
experience of nature lack of nature, pollution, no interpretation 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 plenty of nature, unpolluted, interpretation
park design quality obsolete, no cultural significance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 well designed, culturally significant
suitability for children & youth child unfriendly 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 child friendly
maintenance poorly maintained, dirty, disrepair 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 well maintained, clean
planting & greeenness sparse , unhealthy, over-developed 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 diverse, healthy, green spaces
crowdedness cramped, over-booked, traffic congestion 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 spacious, openess
freedom commercialized, exclusive, restrictive 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 free, inclusive, unconstrained
attractiveness ugly 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 beautiful
friendliness unfriendly & anti-social 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 friendly & social
accessibility inaccessible, inconvenient, no transit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 accessible, convenient, transit link
other visitor's care litter, graffiti, dog poop, vandalism, noise 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 users care, clean, quite, peaceful
protection of public resource encroaching development 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 resources protected
facilities no / closed facilities, lack of shade/shelter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 adequate facilities
management & enforcement no staff, no info, unhelpful, slow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 staff presence, helpful, quick, info & signs
health & safety hazardous facilities, accidents, injuries 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 safe facilities
crime & safety threatening day/night, reported crime 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 safe day & night
adapted from CABE Space Manifesto for Better Public Spaces 2004 ranked park issues

Park User Satisfaction.
At Community Design Workshop #1, a questionnaire asked
participants to share their views on the Park’s experience. The
results showed that:
Most agreed that the Park has/is:
• feeling of relaxation & escape

• feeling of happy and fun
• convenient access
• safe and healthy
• lacks activities
There was a wider range of response on the following issues:
• recreational opportunities- are there enough?

• cultural significance/ quality- is it being expressed well?
• maintenance quality- is the park clean?
• attractiveness- does the park look good?
• management & enforcement- are measures being provided
that deter negative activities?

4.0 local large park differentiation
f flamingo
-is rec. park more cultural
-is neighborhood
sports complex
-is more “active”
botanic garden
l lummus f
plaza
-is tourist show park
-is beach higher central park
lower
use use
-is “fun” l s
per acre pocket park per acre
s south pointe urban wild
-is more “passive”

national park
-is beach to bay / ships
-is “refreshing” more natural

Local Large Park Differentiation
At 17 acres, South Pointe Park is a one of the larger parks
in Miami Beach, and should provide a unique park
experience to add diversity to Miami Beach’s park network.
Flamingo Park is a large neighborhood park that holds
many of Miami Beach’s active sport users such as ball
parks, sports fields and community swimming pool.
Lummus Park parallels the beach and is located near many
of the tourist oriented land uses. It is the park that hosts
beach oriented or civic events.
With this understanding, South Pointe Park could be the

‘relaxing, refreshing’ Park of Miami Beach. Because of its
location at the water and orientation to warm breezes and
sun, it could also be more environmentally based.

4.0 layout issues
1.park addition long term murano biscayne st.
av.n
2.under used path apogee
ingto
portofino 2
wash
3.boat basin unstable
bay
3 1 continuum
4.low rise neighbors 5 6
4
5.dog off leashing
6 dune
6.barriers 7
11 8 6
7.berm camp beach
8.shelter area underused

jetty
gov
9.jetty is used ern 9
me
nt c
ut
10.pier unsound 10 pier
11.worn out facilities

fisher
12.missing program/ island
facilities
Layout Issues
Key layout issues shaped planning efforts:
1. Park addition long term. The Park will have an additional
two acres added to it under the Apogee agreement.
2. Under-used path. Ocean Drive access between Portifino
and Continuum is not visible and under used.
3. Boat basin unstable. This will be rebuilt by the Apogee
developers with its current configuration remaining.
4. Low rise neighbors. These neighbors are effected by noise
and undesirable late night activity in the Park.
5. Dog off leashing. A popular gathering place for dogs and
their owners, but lack of dog waste trash bags and
receptacles has effected the cleanliness of the Park.
6. Barriers. The existing maintenance building and berm
divide the Park into three parts and limit sight lines.
7. Berm camp. The large landform and thick vegetation is an
area for homeless to camp.
8. Shelter area underused. Shelters are far away from
parking, views, and activities which limit their use.
9. Jetty is used. Although dangerous, the jetty attracts people
to walk out to the ocean.
10. Pier unsound. Fencing and a gate prevents access to the
pier which needs structural stabilization.
11. Worn out facilities. Restrooms are unattractive and isolated
from activity areas.
12. Missing program/ facilities. Positive, attractions should be
located in the middle of the Park to activate the space.

HOW MIGHT IT BE CHANGED?
5.0 layout strategy: planning principles
1. respond to frontages murano biscayne st
av.n
2. connect walks apogee
“residential”
ingto
2 portofino
wash
3. phased add on bay
3 6 2 continuum
4. leave some lawns
1 “bay” 5
10
5. remove barriers
5 2 dune
6. mid park walk & patrol 7 4 8
5 1 “beach”
7. upgrade “cut” walk 9 beach
1 “cut”
8. consolidate new
jetty
building program gov
ern
me
nt c
9. add missing program ut 11
pier
10. mitigate current
parking (no extra) fisher
island
11. address pier
Layout Strategy: Planning Principles
The adjacent diagram shows the principles for Park planning
concepts.
1. Respond to frontages. The frontages to Biscayne Bay,
Atlantic Ocean, and Government Cut makes this Park
unique and special and should be acknowledged.
2. Connect walks. The connections between Washington
Ave, Ocean Drive, Bay Walk and Beach Walk should be
strengthened.
3. Phased add on. Include Alaska parcel in a seamless way
to existing Park places.
4. Leave some lawns. Lawns are popular for passive uses
and should remain.
5. Remove barriers. The existing maintenance building and
berm should be removed to open up and unify the Park.
6. Mid park walk & patrol. Access to the Park’s center is
limited today and should be provided for access by people
and patrolling.
7. Upgrade “cut” walk. The experience at Government Cut is
the most exciting in the Park and should be celebrated in a
more inviting, unique manner.
8. Consolidate new building program. A new building
should re-image the building uses so it can be seen as a
community-wide amenity.
9. Add missing program. Playgrounds, diversified
plantings, community rooms, and plazas should expand
the uses and users in this area of the Park.
10. Mitigate current parking (no extra). The parking should
be reorganized to minimize its visual and circulation
impacts.
11. Address pier. Park modifications should allow for future
use of the pier.

5.0 10 improvement projects
Spaces murano biscayne st
av.n
1.bay inlet apogee
ingto
5 portofino
wash
2.palm lawns bay
9
1 continuum
3.tropical garden lots 3 5
6 2
4. dune fields
8
B 7 dune
Frameworks & Features 2 4
5.mid park walks 5 beach
6.cut walk 6 jetty

gov
7.park pavilion ern
me
nt c
ut 10
8.playground pier
9.washington av.
fisher
10.pier island

10 Improvement Projects
10 improvement projects are the spaces, frameworks and
features that together will make a unified, fully integrated Park
within Park boundaries and to the adjacent neighborhoods.
Spaces
1. Bay Inlet: Alaska parcel addition affords the opportunity to
create stronger conceptual and physical orientation to
Biscayne Bay.
2. Palm Lawns: Wide-open, flat lawns dotted with palm trees
will provide shade and indicate that large events would not
occur here.
3. Tropical Garden Lots: Garden areas will screen and
reorganize parking lots.
4. Dune Fields: a landscape here should connect
conceptually and visually to the adjacent beach.
Framework and Features

5. Mid Park Walks: an attractive path will draw users to the
center of the Park and ease in patrolling.
6. Cut Walk: improvements here will accentuate the beauty
and strength of Government Cut.
7. Park Pavilion: a new building will consolidate building
program needs and create a new community ‘center.’
8. Playground: located as a companion to the Park pavilion,
this will attract positive activity to the center of the Park.
9. Washington Avenue Entry: this will celebrate the entry to
the Park and ‘end’ of Washington Avenue in Miami Beach.
10. Fishing Pier: Park improvements will allow for
modifications to pier should the City choose to in the future.

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Cut walk
2000 feet long raised

promenade & seat wall
one of the best walks
around
emphasis on the strength

of government cut
wide path for pedestrians

and wheeled activities
Section : stepped walk
special “beacon” lighting
regional materials
variable degree of shade

along length

Improvements: A Totally Unique Walk Experience
The intention of the Cut Walk is to emphasize one of South
Pointe Park’s greatest experiences: viewing the water and
watching passing ships from the dramatic edge of Government
Cut. By elevating the walk just 18,” a user would have a sense
of prospect, separate walkers from wheeled users and create
an informal seat wall along its entire 2000 foot length. It should
be the Park’s signature experience relative to all other Park
improvements in material, detail, and scale.
Potential Program
• 2000’ long; 20’ wide elevated pathway (12’ for wheeled
recreation and service vehicles)
• Maximum 18” high seat wall
• Benches, trash receptacles
• Trees and lawn areas
• ADA accessible with sloping walks
• Special Light Beacons, lighting
• New Irrigation system
Potential Materials
Materials should be upgraded and richer to South Pointe Park’s
other materials. These should reflect the regional pallet and be
durable and well detailed. Hardscape materials could be
Florida Limestone or other stone, colored concrete imbedded
with sea shells, or precast concrete pavers similar to the Beach
Walk. Furnishings should be comfortable, durable, and able to
withstand salt- i.e. appropriate metal and/or wood. It could be a
variation of the other Park furnishings because of its intention
to be a special feature. Lighting should be durable and
innocuous so that the Beacon lighting is featured. Plant
materials should be salt and wind tolerant.

5.0 10 improvement Projects – Cut walk
existing proposed
appropriate width
special lighting
sidewalk table
congestion

Issues Addressed Sidewalk Table Congestion
There were several specific issues at the existing walk that As the popularity of the restaurant in the Park has
have been resolved with the Cut Walk design. These are: increased, so too has the need for outdoor seating.
Consequently, restaurant seating frequently encroaches on
Appropriate Width the existing sidewalk, constricting pedestrian traffic. To
Like the Beach Walk, it is anticipated that the Cut Walk will resolve this conflict at the future Cut Walk, two options
be a popular destination for Park users utilizing different would locate the outdoor seating so that it would not
modes of travel- walking, jogging, rollerblading, and biking. interface directly with the Cut Walk. One option has a
To minimize potential conflicts, the Cut Walk should be seating area south and parallel to the Cut Walk. This would
widened from its current 12 feet to the standard of the be a crushed coquina or paved area in which the tables and
Beach Walk of 20 feet. Additionally, a path should be chairs would need to be removed and stored every night.
placed at the bottom of the grade separation to allow those The second option is a new dining deck located to the east
walking at a more leisurely pace to step aside at their of the restaurant. It is possible that this area could be
choosing. designed and detailed to allow tables and chairs to remain
at night.
Special Lighting
Special light beacons could provide ambient light and may These options could be implemented individually or as a
express environmental conditions such as wind, pair, depending on the negotiations between the Lessee and
temperature or moon phases in subtle changes in color and the City.
brightness. It should be sized to respect the scale of the Cut
Walk and be seen from passing cruise ships passing.
Beacons should occur at about 100’ spacing, should be
about 12 feet high and should be made of durable, modern
materials like stainless steel and vandal proof glass. It
should look attractive in daytime and nighttime. It should
also have shields to protect it within the turtle nesting area.

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Bay Inlet
orient to the biscayne

bay- views to port, sunset
and water
paved pathway adjacent
to edge of seawall-
walking, biking, fishing
tidal pool for wading
existing ‘beach’ to remain
lush landscape buffer
next to new development
ample places to sit
boat basin converted for
fishing

Improvements: Enrich the Bay experience Potential Program
One of the most compelling notions of South Pointe Park is its • Benches and seating for prime sunset watching
orientation to three different directions- the beach, Government • Seat steps at the tidal pool
Cut and Biscayne Bay. With the addition of the Alaska Parcel, • Park entry elements- drinking fountain, informational
there is a tremendous opportunity to truly celebrate and better signage, Trash receptacles/ dog trash bag dispenser
connect to Biscayne Bay. • Formal and informal tree plantings
• Lawns and tropical gardens
Along with being a great walk that connects to the existing Bay • Additional trash receptacles at boat basin for fishing litter
Walk to the west and the Cut Walk, the Bay Inlet could have • Pedestrian lighting
other four components- the palm lawn, inlet, tidal pool, and • New Irrigation system
landscape garden. The palm lawn should be an extension of
the existing palm lawn to the east, which would serve to unify Potential Materials
the Park across Washington Avenue. As it was found that the Materials here will be consistent with the other standard
boat basin is impractical for boating activities, the boat basin materials and furnishings in the Park. Hardscape should be
could be utilized for fishing, should be rebuilt as a part of the concrete for main walks, crushed coquina for porous paving
Apogee project agreement, and remain in its current surfaces. Furnishings should be comfortable, durable, and able
configuration. A 20 foot wide walk could face the inlet, which is to withstand salt- i.e. appropriate metal and/or wood. Lighting
consistent with the Cut Walk width. While the coral beach should be durable and innocuous. Plant materials should be salt
should remain here, the swift waters of Government Cut and wind tolerant.
prevent water activities. The tidal pool could support safe water
activities like wading and paddling. The tropical garden could
be adjacent to the Apogee development, and would also be
created with funding from the Apogee agreement. It should
have a lawn berm flush to the building, shade trees and
planting beds. This would be serve both to add beauty and
richness to this area, and provide a buffer from the nearby
walk. The Cut Walk should end here with a seat step that
would allow users to enter into the tidal pool.

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Bay Inlet
existing proposed
boat basin
creating an inlet

5.0
Issues Addressed
Creating an Inlet
Two issues at the Bay Inlet that have been resolved with the
The nearby coral beach is one of the few places to directly
planning intensions. These are:
access the water in the Park. However, Government Cut’s
currents are swift and passing ships’ wave action is strong.
Boat Basin
A tidal pool could be created that could accommodate safe
The existing boat basin is in need of repair and is an awkward
water play. Accessible from all four sides, a gentle slope
size for handling multiple boats. Also, because of the wave
could occur on the north side, and a seat step could provide
action of passing ships, it is impractical for many activities like
access from the south. The surface could be crushed
boating or swimming. Still, it was found to have coral on its
coquina; its subsurface and edges could be reinforced to
walls, and could provide additional habitat for other fish.
accept tidal action.
Therefore, its current configuration should remain if it is rebuilt
for structural stability. Edges of this feature, then, should be
enhanced to encourage fishing activities. Seating, additional
trash receptacles and a water fountain would provide
comfortable amenities for activities here.

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Palm Lawn
generous open lawns for

passive use and informal
games
palm trees provide shade
but allow for good sight
lines through park
new irrigation system for
a healthier lawn
no permanent stage or
amphitheater

5.0
Improvements: Gracious lawn spaces to be enhanced Potential Materials
South Pointe Park has existing open lawn areas that are well Materials here should be consistent with other standard
used and loved. The Improvements project here should materials and furnishings in the Park. Hardscape should be
enhance the best of the lawn areas by adding a new irrigation concrete for main walks. Furnishings should be comfortable,
system, adding palm trees for shade and space definition, and durable, and able to withstand salt- i.e. appropriate metal
overseeding for a more lush lawn. This area would offer a quite and/or wood. Lighting should be durable and innocuous. Plant
respite from other areas which may receive more intensive materials should be salt and wind tolerant. A diversity of palm
use. trees will be planted here to augment the species that exist.
Potential Program
• Pathways for direct access to other areas
• Open lawn areas
• Informal palm tree plantings
• Trash receptacles/ dog trash bag dispenser
• Formal and informal tree plantings
• Pedestrian lighting

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Tropical garden lots
entirely new landscape

experience here
reconfigure and mitigate
parking lots
tropical garden ‘rooms’
buffer parking
strong connection to
ocean drive
parking count: 214

5.0
Improvements: Colorful gardens mask parking Potential Program
Parking at South Pointe park is convenient for daily Park users • Parking
who cannot walk to the Park. An additional 105 spaces are Public spaces: 109 spaces
required by the restaurant lease. The parking configuration will
Restaurant lease: 105 spaces
be modified and the quantity of parking spaces lessened by
• Benches and seating
about 30 spaces to mitigate noise and illicit activities that occur
• Park entry elements at Ocean Drive- drinking fountain,
in the eastern portion of the parking lot. Parking to the east will
informational signage, Trash receptacles/ dog waste bag
be designated for handicap and playground users.
dispenser
• Formal and informal tree plantings
To soften the parking edges and create an entirely new Park
• Tropical gardens and lawns
experience, tropical gardens will be added to the south.
• Gates at parking entry
Parking lots will be augmented with shade trees for continuity
of the tropical garden experience and break up the expanse of
parking. This is primarily a garden for viewing and respite. In
low wind areas, tropical garden areas could also be used for
Potential Materials
traditional community gardens tended by residents.
Materials here should be consistent with other standard
materials and furnishings in the Park. Hardscape should be
On the eastern edge of the parking lot, a generous pedestrian
concrete for main walks. Furnishings should be comfortable,
allée with lawn panel, shade trees and benches will connect to
durable, and able to withstand salt- i.e. appropriate metal
and reflect the streetscape of Ocean Drive. 100 lineal feet of
and/or wood. Lighting should be durable and innocuous. Plant
the cost for these improvements will be funded by Continuum
as per their Development Order.

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Tropical Garden Lots
existing proposed
beach goers
shortcutting
New Pathways
Continuum
after hours parking lot

use a disturbance
Existing Eastern
Parking lot
Potential gate Removed parking

location area
operations

5.0
Issues Addressed
Three issues were a focus of study:
Beach goers shortcutting

The parking lot is currently used as an access route to the
beach. This can be an unsafe condition with vehicular traffic.
New pathways should be provided to encourage a route that
is out of the parking lot.
After hours parking lot disturbances

The Eastern portion of the existing parking lot is removed
from the street. Its isolation attracts illicit and noisy activities,
which can be a disturbance to adjacent condominium
owners. The parking lot should be removed here to
eliminate this congregation area. This parking could be
replaced in new parking areas to the west. A gate could
1 also be provided at the entry way to be closed at night after
the restaurant is closed.
Operations
Parking near the beach is a premium in Miami Beach. At
South Pointe Park, the need for parking is exasperated on
the weekends, when people flock to the beach. Frustration
can occur on the part of the users wanting parking when
they see available parking spaces that they cannot use
because of the restaurant parking allowances. Weekend
parking management should clarify parking rules and
availability so that frustrations are minimized.

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Dune Fields
dunes recreate historic

dune landscape
sculpted lawn dunes-
places for viewing,
playing and lounging
diverse plantings in dune
encourage fuller range of
birds and insects
scaled to be seen from
passing cruise ships

Improvements:
There are two dune types proposed here. Native Dunes and
Lawn Dunes. Each would complement the other and provide
interesting new landscape typology here.
Native Dunes
In true native plant areas in the Miami region, dune plantings
mingle with scrub plants to form a rich mosaic of beach flora.
This exists somewhat in Miami Beach at the linear dune that
parallels the Atlantic Ocean. A greater species and landform
diversity could be achieved at South Pointe Park with the
creation of the native dune fields. Here, undulating landforms
could represent the shifting pattern of native dunes, revealing
the ecological processes in a manner appropriate for a
manmade park.
Great care should be made include a diversity of the 200 plant

species possible in a true coastal dune. Over 200 species of
migrating birds, 50 species of butterflies, lizards, and snails can
be found in healthy dunes. It is hoped that this landscape
would draw these creatures to South Pointe Park.
Potential Program
• Crushed coquina (coral shells) pathways
• Native dune plantings
• Temporary Irrigation system until landscape is established
• Interpretive/ educational signage
Potential Materials
Because of the ecological sensitivity of this area, walks should
be constructed of crushed coquina. There should be no lighting
due to the turtle nesting nearby. Benches should be minimal for
the least noise pollution.


Improvements: Lawn Dunes
The lawn dunes should be sculpted landforms similar in scale Potential Program
to the native dunes, but planted with traditional turf grasses. As • Pathways for direct access to other areas
‘green’ dunes, these would be an unusual contrast to the native • Undulating lawn areas
dune; a companion dune that calls attention to the forms and • Informal tree plantings
patterns of both. • Park entry elements at Beach Walk- drinking fountain,
The pattern of lawn dunes should create intimate pockets of dispenser
flatter lawn areas ideal for picnics and lounging alone or with • Pedestrian lighting at north walk only
small groups. Kids would find running and playing on the • New Irrigation system
sculpted lawns irresistible, perhaps even making up their own
games. Shade and Palm trees could make this an ideal place
for picnicking and relaxing. Potential Materials
The artfulness of the lawn dunes is in its simplicity.
Concrete pathways should be only provided where traffic is
high and at the Garage building entrance. Benches should
be minimized in lieu of seating on the dunes themselves.

existing proposed
lack of ecological
diversity
aged, underutilized
picnic area

5.0
Issues Addressed
There were two issues that were resolved in planning- one
that is a Park-wide issue and one site specific. These are:
Lack of ecological diversity

Currently the Park has virtually no plant diversity to support
habitat for wildlife. As habitat shrinks with human
encroachment, there is a growing need to reestablish
landscapes that are able to attract birds, insects, lizards and
snails. Research has shown that even small landscapes can
attract wildlife as a ‘stop over’ to larger habitat areas. At
South Pointe Park, the native dune landscape, at 1.7 acres,
would be attractive to the nearby wildlife.
Aged, underutilized picnic area

The current picnic area is isolated and aged, making it an
1 unattractive area. It needs to be reconfigured to an open,
inviting space. The lawn dunes will be a fresh landscape
with ample shade for picnicking and relaxing.

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Mid Park Walks
attracting people to the

center of the park
opening up the interior for
safety, comfort
grand scaled “serpentine”
walk is one of a kind
experience
meandering links bay
walk to beach walk

5.0
Improvements: An incomparable pathway that activates
Potential Program
the center of the Park.
• Undulating walk that changes elevation to form a large
By removing the existing maintenance building and large
landform
berm, the Park is free of barriers and can connect the beach
• Benches and seating in flat grade areas
to the bay via an undulating mid-Park walk. The walk would
• Seat wall/access from top of landform to pavilion area
at Park grade for most of its length. To make the walk more
• Trash receptacles/ dog waste bag dispenser
attractive for parking lot users headed to and from the
• Lawn areas
beach, however, the walk could gradually incline atop a
large, 13 foot high ‘Serpentine’ landform. Because of its
unique experience, this feature would likely be an attraction
in itself. To open up access between the playground and
Potential Materials
lawn dunes, a slice of the Serpentine form should be
Materials here should be consistent with other standard
removed and connect at the top elevation with a bridge. This
could also be a good location for a large seat wall for
seating and access down to park grade.
The mid Park walk’s primary purpose is to facilitate
pedestrian traffic, but the Serpentine form could be unlike
any other experience in a park: a fun way to get from the
middle of the Park to the beach, a lofty platform for the best
views of the ocean, and an informal seating area along its
gentle, curving side slopes.

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Mid Park Walk
existing proposed
barriers divided park
provide good sight lines

from park interior

5.0
Issues Addressed
Two issues at the Mid-park walks that have been resolved
with the planning intentions. These are:
Barriers divided Park

The existing maintenance building, berm and boardwalk
create barriers that divided the Park. These should be
removed and replaced with the mid Park walk which
activates the Park’s interior.
Provide good sightlines from interior

These same barriers limited cross-park views, which makes
it difficult for patrolling and uneasy for users. Because of the
wide width of the Park, particularly at the east end where
there is no parking, an elevated walk would enhance views
to the Park edges.
1

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Pavilion
responds to and knits with

the park
safe-oriented and placed
near activity area
uses make it a community
focal point
fulfills Parks Department
and Ocean Rescue needs

5.0
Improvements: A new neighborhood center. During the planning process, both Departments showed
The existing restroom, storage, and Ocean Rescue buildings at excitement about the public outreach that could occur here,
the Park are outdated and in poor quality. These spaces, and particularly in the community meeting room. Here, rotating
some additional programming, should be consolidated to interpretive displays and children’s day camps could teach
create a Park pavilion that would add a positive activity center about Park and beach specific information such as native dune
to the Park. habitat, fishes in the bay inlet, or rip currents.
Located near the playground and bridge of the Serpentine Program

landform, the Pavilion should be a friendly face to Park users. The New Pavilion/ Garage program is:
The simple ovular shape should nestle into the toe of the a. Community room
Serpent, while its roof could be accessed by bridge from the b. Concession Stand
Serpentine walk. Inside, visitors could find restrooms, offices, c. Men’s and Women’s Restroom
and a meeting room for community events and meetings. A d. Parks and Recreation office
small concession stand would be a great amenity for cold food e. Ocean Rescue office
and drink and convenient park sundries such as sunscreen, f. Mechanical/ storage rooms
newspapers, and sports equipment rentals. Nearby shade g. Vehicular storage (both Departments)
structures will be available for small outdoor events and h. Workshops (both Departments)
picnicking. i. Shade Structure
The garage building should face the lawn dunes to the

northeast. Because the garage could store vehicles, the
building should located where pedestrians traffic flow would be
least. The garage building should also integrated with the
Serpentine, and its rooftop could also be open to provide views
to the ocean beyond.
To further reimaging the buildings and public presence here,

the Park and Recreation Department could have one full time
employee here. Ocean Rescue could base their south district
from this facility, and could have several staff here periodically
through the day.

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Pavilion

5.0
Potential Materials
The Pavilion should be consistent with the other materials at
South Pointe Park. It should also be durable, and have
detailing that is similar to that of other Park elements to
maintain similar design language.
Detailed plans, sections and elevations of the Pavilion and

garage are in the Appendix of this Report.

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Playground
more than standard

playground equipment
set within park
framework, not ‘plopped’
down
places for adults to
observe comfortably
public art will celebrate
environmental attributes
here

5.0
Improvements: A playground to spark imagination
Playgrounds are as much an opportunity for children to have
fun as they are to challenge their agility and strength,
Potential Program
• Custom and ‘off the shelf’ playground equipment
• Age oriented play areas- toddlers separate from grade
expand their imagination, and learn positive social behavior. school age, for example
Most ‘off the shelf’ playground equipment engages these to • Sand play area
a certain degree, but as a regional park, the playground • Splash pad/ small water features
design here warrants something special and unique to • A ‘sound’ element- wind pipes, chimes, or audio
Miami Beach. The playground should intermingle some ‘off system of recorded sounds
the shelf’ products with custom pieces to make this a one of • Benches/ seating for adults and children
a kind playground. Shapes, sounds, color, and tactile • Drinking fountain
experiences should be rich and engaging. • Art integrated with play equipment
• Formal palm plantings
Thematically, the playground could use the Park’s natural • Shade structures nearby
features as a source- the wind for music pipes, water for • Trash receptacles
splashing and cooling off, and sand for sculpting and • Pedestrian lighting
digging.
Potential Materials
This is the best potential location to engage local artists to Playground equipment materials will minimize heat absorption
further develop and refine these ideas to reflect local culture and be finished smoothly for the children’s primary safety.
and knowledge. Below this equipment will be a rubberized material that is
absorbent to accidental falls and withstands heat and repetitive
The Serpent mound and benches throughout will provide force of children’s foot traffic.
ample comfortable seating for adults to safely observe their
children while giving the children the space they need. Other materials here should be consistent with other standard
Shade, restrooms, and concession will be a welcome materials and furnishings in the Park. Hardscape should be
addition for adults and children alike. concrete for main walks. Furnishings should be comfortable,

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Playground
typical proposed
playgrounds can be too

conventional

5.0
Issues Addressed:
Playgrounds can be too conventional

Among other methods, children learn and develop from
physical challenges and use of their imagination.
Playgrounds these days are beyond the swing sets and
slides staples of yesteryear. Many playgrounds are overtly
themed- pirate ships, castles, rocket ships- that can seem
limiting to playing to match the theme. Rather, play
equipment could be more abstract that allow children
versatility and openness for their imaginations. Playground
elements can be physically challenging as well as being well
designed.
Product examples are shown are the left.

1 Top: This arc element is a combination climber and slide,
bridge and shadow play. The children ride on ‘dinosaurs,’
climb on ‘sailing masts,’ and assent ‘mountain peaks.’
Middle: This seems to grow out of the earth, and its smooth
surface looks deceiving- it requires a considerable degree of
courage and skill to master.
Bottom left: This element moves around a lot without
moving from the spot. A child could spin it alone or with
others.
Bottom right: This provides a wavy place upon which to
stand and see beyond or lay back and relax. Many children
can step aboard, and it becomes a vehicle for ‘space travel.’

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Washington Avenue
Entry
existing right of way

converted to plaza space
ample seating and shade
best location for small
community events like
farmer’s markets and art
shows
keeps existing fountain at
end to mark end of
Washington Avenue at
Government Cut

5.0 Improvements: A grand gateway to the Park
Washington Avenue is where all vehicular traffic and many
pedestrians enter and as such, should be reconfigured to have
a more gracious, welcoming presence at the street. The
existing roadway could be removed and replaced with a formal
plaza with punctuations of ornamental plant beds and an
extension of the Washington Avenue tree plantings. Seating
should be provided for people watching, reading, and resting.
This location would be the best for small scaled events, so

paved areas should be provided to support tents and heavier
foot traffic. The nearby parking would provide convenient
access for such events.
Potential Program
• Benches and seating
• Park entry elements at Washington Ave- drinking fountain,
dispenser
• Formal tree plantings
• Gardens and lawns
• A new gateway sign to replace the existing one
Potential Materials
A hardscape pattern of special materials used elsewhere-
stone, colored concrete imbedded with sea shells, or precast
concrete pavers- would add richness and sense of quality to
this space.
Other materials here should be consistent with other standard


5.0 10 Improvement Projects – Washington Avenue
Entry
existing proposed
gateway enhancement
needed to provide better
sense of park entry

5.0
Issues Addressed:
Washington Avenue at South Pointe Park marks the

southerly end of Miami Beach. While improvements were
made recently with a streetscape and fountain, these could
be integrated into a broadened entry landscape for a truly
celebratory gateway.
The existing sign here should also be replaced to clarify the

Park’s presence from the street.

5.0 10 Improvement Projects – The Pier
convert and reuse of pier

balances use and cost
three fishing/ viewing
platforms
demolished segments
become sea bird roosts

5.0
Recommendation: retrofit pier and open to public
Although not a part of the current park funding, the
Consultant team was asked to review the existing closed
pier and give an opinion as to its integration with the Park
and vet it for community opinion. The pier is one of last
remaining piers on the Atlantic Ocean side of Miami Beach.
Located at the most southern end of Miami Beach, the pier
is a crescendo of sorts, marking the end (or beginning) of
Miami Beach. It is in very poor structural condition, needing
about $2 million in repairs. It is even more costly to rebuild
at $3.2 million. Demolishing the pier is the least expensive
solution for $200,000. (City of Miami Beach South Pointe Pier
Structural Observations Report, July 2004)
The Consultant team recommends that all three strategies

are combines for a balanced use and cost solution. In this
way, the large platforms will be repaired and updated with a
raised platform for viewing and low guardrails for fishing.
New bridge connections would be added to access the
platforms. Old pier segments between the platforms would
be demolished and reused for artificial reefs. Posts would
remain for bird roosting. This combination of treatments
would cost roughly $1.5 million and allow access to the
piers once again.

5.0 evolution of layouts
1. 2.
3.

Evolution of layouts: Visioning Session through
Community Design Workshop #1
At the City Visioning Session in March, the Consultant team
presented three plan view options of potential Park
changes. Each adhered to the essential framework and 10
Improvement options, but had spatial and programmatic
variations (drawings 1-3 opposite page). The Consultant
team received direction and feedback from the City.
Next, a refined plan was developed for Community Design

4. Workshop #1. This had two variations as well: one plan’s
improvement budget was $8.8 million, and another had a
budget of $13.3 (drawings 4-5, this page). The primary
differences between the two were the significant redesign of
the bay inlet, reconfiguration of the parking, and addition of
the tropical gardens.
The community supported including the parking and tropical

gardens in the Improvements. Additionally, the community
suggested closing Washington Avenue for a gateway
landscape.
5.

5.0 variable funded layouts
Funded Funded Plus $1.4M

$8.8 M total $10.2 M total
175 cars 200 cars
includes essential Includes Funded elements
elements identified by and:
community
- reconfigured parking
- tip of washington ave
closure

Evolution of layouts: Community Design Workshop #2
to Recommended Plan
The plans were more specific and more similar for
Community Design Workshop #2. Three plan options were
presented: Funded, Funded Plus, and Funded Plus Plus.
Funded Plan demonstrates the improvements within the

existing budget. Essential park modifications are possible,
but the plan lacks a rich park experience. In addition to the
basics, parking to the east was removed as requested by
the community, but was not replaced anywhere, resulting in
a net loss of public parking. Also, Washington Avenue
Funded Plus Plus $4.5M closure could not be achieved in this budget.
Funded Plus included reconfiguration of the parking to

$13.3 M total achieve a parking count closer to what exists, a basic
tropical garden lot planting, and tip of Washington Avenue
200 cars closure. There is still a net loss of parking from existing
(about 30 spaces), but the City and Community felt that was
acceptable.
Includes Funded Plus
Funded Plus Plus added a significant improvement to the
elements and: Bay Inlet area with a grand tidal pool and jetty extension.
This also demonstrated a much richer, more lush tropical
gardens and berms to further mitigate parking.
-more developed inlet
Feedback at Community Design Workshop #2 and the City
-richer planting led to an amalgamated plan that is the Recommended Plan
shown in section 7.0 of this report.
-more berms
WHAT IMPACTS MIGHT THE CHANGES
6.0 CAUSE?
positive impacts – improved systems
people & pet interaction

a dog integrated park;
not segregated
dog waste bag dispensers
dispersed through all of
park for convenience &
other park user
enforcement

Goals Owner Self Control Supervision Management Enforcement Improved Systems: A friendly place for People and Dogs
South Pointe Park today is a popular destination for dogs and
their owners. It is highly social, generally positive activity for
Stay out of no pet areas Clear signage Signage & facilities Park staff video Security Contractor both, and one of the most popular uses in South Pointe Park
)eg play & restrooms) Clear physical edge for concerned surveillance. Patrol
Area repellent scent citizens to point to Police Department today. At Community Design Workshop #2, the Community,
and/or sound and a Call number for Patrol & response the City and Consultant agreed on the following measures to
Grated barrier management /
Hitching posts enforcement.
maintain South Pointe Park’s ‘dog friendly’ reputation:
• no fenced dog areas (dog parks)
Stay on leash typically Clear signage at park Signage & facilities Park staff video Security Contractor • more trash/bag receptacles up at major park entries
entries for concerned surveillance. Patrol
citizens to point to Police Department • dog amenities like water fountains and wash off areas at
and a Call number for Patrol & response major park entries
management /
enforcement.
Since that meeting, the Consultant and the City team
Stay within boundary of Clear signage Dog Concessionaire Park staff video Security Contractor
permitted off-leash area Area size is limited to supervises surveillance. Patrol
suggested the following additional recommendations for the
enable effective voice Signage & facilities Police Department City’s consideration and review. Ultimately, the City is charged
control for concerned Patrol & response
Temporal edge citizens to point to
with final policy and physical improvement decisions here:
repellent -scent and a Call number for • possibility of creating an off-leash area. The off-leash
and/or sound management /
enforcement.
areas could also include weekend only use of the beach
area. All off-leash areas would be limited to certain times of
Control aggressive Area size is limited to Dog Concessionaire Emergency activation Police Department day (mornings or evenings only- not both), would be
behavior enable effective voice has repellent spray & of zoned irrigation Patrol & response
control can trigger zoned sprinklers contingent on turf condition, and could require a special
irrigation sprinklers permit from the City. A City designated monitor would help
Ensure dog waste is Clear sign age Dog Concessionaire Park maintenance or Security Contractor
in enforcing dog waste clean up and management.
removed and disposed Integrated bags & enforces but has to contracted dog waste Patrol Integrated physical barriers would be added to mark off
trash cans through remove any excess management service Police Department
out park Signage & facilities removes any excess Patrol & response
leash area and provide seating for owners.
Encourage dog waste for concerned waste • dogs should be leashed at all times at all other park areas,
in controlled areas at citizens to point to
side of park and a Call number for
including to and from off-leash areas and at dog amenities.
entrances management / • dogs should not be allowed in the playground and tidal
enforcement. pool.
Mitigate urine burn on Encourage urine in Dilute with auto Not Law
vegetation controlled areas at irrigation in off leash The table on the left lists some additional measures for
side of park area within 8 hours
entrances Higher maintenance
consideration for incremental inclusion and trial as issues
regime arise. With this balanced approach and incremental
Mitigate digging up of Pet only sand pits Higher maintenance Not Law
management steps, South Pointe Park will be a welcoming
park vegetation regime place for dog owners and non-dog owners alike.

6.0 CAUSE?
servicing & safety Vehicular Traffic
access Police cruiser route
Emergency only route

paths sized generous for Service/ Ocean Rescue
vehicular traffic and Parks Dept route
emergency access to all

corners of park
comfort & conveniences

Comfort stations
located at park entrances Drinking fountain/ Trash
and center
Restrooms
benches & seat walls Concession stand

throughout
Beach Showers

Improved Systems: Service & Safety Improved Systems: Comfort & Conveniences
Service and safety access are important for daily patrolling It’s the little conveniences that will make this Park a
and maintenance; for Parks and Ocean Rescue employees comfortable place to visit again and again.
going to work at the pavilion building; and for occasional
emergency access responding to a specific need. At each Park entry from the City-side there should be water
fountains and trash/ dog waste receptacles. Trash/ dog
For daily use, vehicular routes should appear to be waste receptacles should be provided at major pedestrian
pedestrian areas first, not roads, but should accommodate crossings within the Park as well.
proper paving support, vehicular turning radii, and access
width. Park benches and seat walls should be placed amply
throughout the Park, with more located at the Bay Inlet,
Emergency access routes should have reinforced turf or Washington Avenue, Cut Walk, Playground and Ocean
reinforced pavements to support the weight of emergency Drive walk entry.
vehicles. They should be designed with wide horizontal
clearance and turning radii to allow turning movements of The Pavilion would house a variety of amenities. There
emergency vehicles. should be public bathrooms, beach showers, and water
fountains. A small concession stand could sell cool snacks
and drinks as well as park necessities like sunscreen,
disposable cameras, and recreation equipment rentals.
An exciting addition to the Pavilion building would be a

meeting room. This room could be booked for meetings by
community clubs, small parties, or public meetings. It could
also serve as a classroom space, with the ability to
accommodate up to 35 children.
Beach Showers could be located near the beach in the

eastern portion of the park. There should be at least two
shower heads provided.

6.0 CAUSE?
Signage, interpretation
and art Informational signage
Interpretive opportunities
integrate with park elements
Integrated art
Gateway sign
utilize park’s physical assets
in ecological/ sustainability
expressions
durable, vandal resistant

Energy and lighting
Special Beacon lighting
lighting which is beyond
functional. Can express Path lighting
processes/ events/ special Lighting area shields to

protect Turtle nesting
areas habitat
Solar Power
durable, vandal resistant

Improved Systems: Signage, Interpretation and Art Improved Systems: Energy and Lighting
Signage, interpretation and art is not only essential for In addition to providing an atmosphere of safely and
wayfinding and information, it is an opportunity to teach accessibility, lighting contributes to the overall aesthetic
about the specific environmental processes that will be character of the Park. In daylight, the impact of the fixtures
here. These should be developed as an integrated system is also important.
to convey a unified message and graphic quality. All
signage and art materials should reflect the character of the The lighting should clarify major pedestrian corridors.
other elements in the Park. Ambient and accent lights should highlight special places in
the Park. At other areas, minimum light levels would be
Signage should convey regulatory information about hours provided to strengthen the legibility of main pedestrian
of operation, rules, and orientation maps. These would be routes. This would aid in nighttime patrolling of the Park.
located at major park entries. Signs should be easily read, Site furnishings should be closely related to pedestrian
provide the least amount of information necessary, and not lightings both in placement and materiality. These should be
detract from the open space character or contribute to visual of similar materials and color to convey a consistent look.
clutter. Lighting must have cut off shields to protect the beach
where turtles nest from excessive light.
A new gateway sign should mark the entry to the Park at
Washington Avenue. The design and materials of this Special beacon lighting should celebrate the strength of the
element should be vehicular scaled, but allow the Government Cut. The lighting effect could be programmed
redesigned Washington Avenue plaza to truly mark the to communicate real-time information about environmental
entry to South Pointe Park. conditions- for example, the phases of the moon or wind
speed. This would need to be developed further with a
With the addition of new environmentally based, regionally technically adept lighting designer in design development.
specific program, interpretive signage could be added. This
would inform visitors about the processes occurring at the With the ample sun and aspect afforded at the Park, the
native dunes, tidal pool, and playground. sun’s energy could be captured to reduce powering some of
the Park’s electrical systems. For example, at the pavilion,
An exciting art opportunity exists at the playground. This solar panels could be used to heat hot water for the
would be the best place to engage a local artist to create an showers.
imaginative, engaging and fun playground. It could be
thematically based in the park’s natural processes- the sun,
moon, wind, and water.

6.0 CAUSE?
planting & habitat

broaden the planting pallet
to reflect Florida’s rich
plant mosaic
dune planting
reestablishes a dune
ecosystem
add more trees for
additional shade and to
clarify park spaces
keep popular lawn areas
for passive uses
Washington Avenue Lawn Dunes
Palm Lawns Tropical Gardens
Native Dune

Plant List
WASHINGTON AVENUE
TREES PANIC GRASS (Panicum amarum)
GREEN BUTTONWOOD (Conocarpus erectus) DUNE SUNFLOWER (Helianthus debilis)
SILVER BUTTONWOOD (Conocarpus erectus RAILROAD VINE (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
'Sericeus') AGAVE (Agave attenuata)
PITCH APPLE (Clusia Rosea) PRICKLY PEAR (Opuntia punctata)
SEAGRAPE (Coccoloba uvifera) SPANISH BAYONET (Yucca aloifolia)
MADAGASCAR OLIVE (Noronhia emarginata) BEACH MORNING GLORY (Ipomea stolomifera)
SEVEN YEAR APPLE (Casasia clusiifolia) BEACH PEANUT (Okenia hypogaea)
MAHOGANY (Swietenia mahogani) SEA PURSLANE (Sesuvium portulacastrum)
PALMS BEACH BEAN (Canavalia rosea)
GOPHER APPLE (Licania michauxii)
COCONUT PALM (Cocos nucifera 'Malayan')
SABAL PALM (Sabal palmetto) LAWN DUNES Improved Systems: Planting and Habitat
THATCH PALM (Thrinax radiata)
SILVER PALM (Coccothrinax argentata)
TREES While today’s South Pointe Park has a basic planting pallet,
ORANGE GEIGER (Cordia sebestena)
CHINESE FAN PALM (Livistona spp.) SEAGRAPE (Coccoloba uvifera) its large, established palm and shade trees are an asset
BISMARKIA PALM (Bismarkia nobilis) LIGNUM VITAE (Guaiacum sanctum)
MEDJOOL DATE PALM (Phoenix dactylifera ' Medjool) PALMS
during the warm months. These trees should remain or be
SHRUBS
RED TIP COCOPLUM (Chrysobalanus icaco)
COCONUT PALM (Cocos nucifera 'Malayan') relocated to help shape and define the spaces in the plan.
SABAL PALM (Sabal palmetto)
MYRSINE (Rapanea punctata) THATCH PALM (Thrinax radiata) There are five major planting areas, each of which should
BEACH CASSIA (Cassia bahamensis) SILVER PALM (Coccothrinax argentata)
GROUNDCOVERS, PERINNEALS AND GRASSES CHINESE FAN PALM (Livistona spp.)
be augmented with a diversity of plant materials to add
LANTANA GOLD (Kalanchoe)
WHITE FOUNTAIN GRASS (Pennisetum vilosum)
BISMARKIA PALM (Bismarkia nobilis) visual richness and variety and provide habitat.
MEDJOOL DATE PALM (Phoenix dactylifera ' Medjool)
ALOE VERA (Aloe barbadensis) GROUND COVERS
FLORIDA GAMMA GRASS (Tripsacum floridanum) SOD (PASPALUM SPP. - SALT-TOLERANT)
INDIAN HAWTHORN (Raphiolepis indica) Washington Avenue Entry should provide a continuous
PALM LAWNS
TROPICAL GARDEN LOTS streetscape from the north. Plantings in the center of the
TREES
TREES MADAGASCAR OLIVE (Noronhia emarginata) plaza could be effusive and celebratory to acknowledge the
LIGNUM VITAE (Guiaicum sanctum) MAHOGANY (Swietenia mahogani)
ORANGE GEIGER (Cordia sebestiana) WILD TAMARIND (Lysiloma sabicu)
arrival to the Park. The Palm Lawns should be augmented
PITCH APPLE (Clusia Rosea)
SEAGRAPE (Coccoloba uvifera)
SHORTLEAF FIG (Ficus citrifolia) with additional species of palms and shade trees. Turfgrass
PALMS
PALMS COCONUT PALM (Cocos nucifera 'Malayan') here would withstand foot traffic and salty ocean winds.
COCONUT PALM (Cocos nucifera 'Malayan') SABAL PALM (Sabal palmetto)
SABAL PALM (Sabal palmetto) THATCH PALM (Thrinax radiata)
Native Dunes should be planted with a broad diversity of
THATCH PALM (Thrinax radiata) SILVER PALM (Coccothrinax argentata) species to recreate a dune flora. They should not be planted
SILVER PALM (Coccothrinax argentata) CHINESE FAN PALM (Livistona spp.)
CHINESE FAN PALM (Livistona spp.) BISMARKIA PALM (Bismarkia nobilis) with federally protected species that may impose
BISMARKIA PALM (Bismarkia nobilis) MEDJOOL DATE PALM (Phoenix dactylifera ' Medjool)
MEDJOOL DATE PALM (Phoenix dactylifera ' Medjool) SHRUBS
unforeseen liabilities to the City. Lawn Dunes would also be
GROUNDCOVERS
SOD (PASPALUM SPP. - SALT-TOLERANT)
RED TIP COCOPLUM (Chrysobalanus icaco) planted with more shade trees and additional palm species.
NECKLACE POD (Sophora tomentosa)
NATAL PLUM (Carissa macrocarpa) Planting at the Tropical garden lots could shade cars,
NATIVE DUNES
SCAEVOLA (Scaevola naupaka - native only)
MACHO FERN (Nephrolepis falcate)
screen the parking lot and be lively in its display of
TREES
SEAGRAPE (Coccoloba uvifera)
GROUNDCOVERS, PERINNEALS AND GRASSES charismatic tropical species.
FLORIDA GAMMA GRASS (Tripsacum floridanum)
SHRUBS COONTIE (Zamia floridana)
BAY CEDAR (Suriana maritima)
SEA OXEYE DAISY (Borrichia arborescens)
CROWN OF THORNS (Euphorbia millii)
EMERALD BLANKET (Carissa ' Emerald Blanket')
All of these planting areas must comply with Miami-Dade
SEA LAVENDER (Tournefortia gnaphalodes) CORD GRASSES (Spartina spp.) County Landscape Ordinance requirements.
BEACH ELDER (Iva imbricata) ALOE VERA (Aloe barbadensis)
BEACH BERRY (Scaevola plumieri) INDIAN HAWTHORN (Raphiolepis indica 'Pink')
RED BAY (Persea borbonia)
SEA MYRTLE (Baccharis halimifolia)
DWARF GOLD LANTANA (Lantana 'Gold') The irrigation system should be replaced park-wide with
WHITE AFRICAN IRIS (Dietes vegeta)
WOODY GOLDENROD (Solidago pauciflosculosa) CARISSA ‘EMERALD BLANKET’ (Carissa grandiflora) modern irrigation technology that can be remotely activated
YAUPON (Ilex vomitoria) FOUNTAIN GRASS (Pennisetum villosum)
GROUNDCOVERS, PERINNEALS AND GRASSES BOSTON FERN (Nephrolepis exaltata) and provides efficient water use in zoned areas.
SEA OATS (Uniola paniculata)
INDIAN BLANKET FLOWER (Gaillardia pulchella)
SAND CORDGRASS (Spartina bakeri)

WHICH CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE?
7.0 Recommended plan
a unified park, with

exciting places for play,
relaxation, and discovery
improved circulation,
parking, and
infrastructure for a safer,
better functioning park
celebrates the natural
features of the ocean,
government cut, and
biscayne bay
strengthens connections
to adjacent
neighborhoods,
pathways, and streets
214 parking spaces
Improved Systems:
A primary planning goal for South Pointe Park
Improvements was to enrich and enliven the inherent
features of South Pointe Park. Located at the most southerly
tip of Miami Beach, the Park provides far reaching views to
the Ocean, Government Cut and Biscayne Bay. Thus, the
Park’s location and views were a basis of inspiration. Views
into the Park were also important to consider, as the Park is
the first image of the Miami region to cruise ship
passengers. These, and other goals, have been
successfully achieved in the Recommended Plan.
Existing barriers and degraded facilities should be removed,

opening up the Park for one unified space. Sculptural
landforms would provide places to walk, lounge and view
the horizons. The program should be broadened to be fun
and inclusive for all ages, abilities, races and safety
considerations. Environmental qualities could be greatly
enhanced to induce the atmospheric, oceanic and tidal
action on this landscape. Connections to neighborhoods
should be strengthened for better access to the Park.
Modifications are categorized into 10 Improvement Projects.

Pragmatically, the 10 Improvement Projects would solve
long overdue issues. Perhaps more importantly, however,
the Improvement Projects could bring fun and relaxing
spaces; beautiful and dramatic places; and expressive and
compelling features.

WHICH CHANGES SHOULD BE MADE?
7.0 Implementation strategy
funding Funding:
Total project budget for South Pointe Park is currently $10.2
million. $5 million dollars of this was the result of the 2004
compliance & approvals County G.O. Bond referendum. Of the total amount, the
targeted construction budget is approximately $8.8 million
including construction contingency and mobilization.
schedule
At the request of the City, the Consultant Team was asked
to proceed with design refinement and approvals for the
Recommended Plan. This scheme most satisfied the needs
and desires of the community and City alike. The
construction budget for this scheme is estimated at $10.2
million.
A detailed opinion of probable costs is in the appendix

section.

Compliance and Approvals
There are several additional approvals that South Pointe Park
Improvements will need to obtain. These processes should be
engaged immediately following approval from the City
Commission.
Agency: Status
1. General Obligation Bond Oversight Committee in progress
2. Design Review Board Tentative Sept 20 meeting
3. Planning Board To begin following BODR approval
4. City of Miami Beach Marine Authority To begin following BODR approval
5. Department of the Interior To begin following BODR approval
6. Dade Shoreline Review Board To begin following BODR approval
7. Army Corps of Engineers To begin following BODR approval
8. Department of Environmental Resources Management To begin following BODR approval
9. Florida Department of Environmental Protection To begin following BODR approval
Schedule:
The project schedule is not known at this time. Listed below are
the steps that would be taken for implementation of South
Pointe Park Improvements.
Action:
1. Obtain additional funding
2. Additional agency approval
3. Design documentation:
4. Bidding/ Award
5. Construction
6. Park Opens

APPENDIX
Community Design Workshop One

community design 7 April 05
Attendance: Approximately 70
workshop #1 meeting Location: Murano at Portifino- Lower Spa 1000 South Pointe Drive
Hargreaves Associates led a presentation to receive feedback about South Pointe Park Improvement progress and initial ideas.
notes The presentation showed physical, historical, and programmatic analysis, design process, three plan-view design options, one
refined plan showing funded and unfunded projects and design ideas for these 10 improvement projects.
A question and answer period followed. The list below is a summary of each comment from attendees. The response by the
consultant or city representative, when offered, is in italics. Following this list is a summary of actions that the design team and
community design city will be studying in response to this meeting.
workshop #2 meeting 1.What uses can occur in the Dunes?

Park users will be able to walk through and observe the dunes. It will increase the natural features of the park of which there is
notes little representation in Miami Beach.
2. Can you affect the number of parking spaces?
The restaurant lease requires dedicated parking. The rest are for public use, regional wide. We are not adding parking, but it is
budget opinion of not wise to reduce the number. We will look into the operational issues to patrol or control more.
3. What is the project schedule?
Planning will be complete by the end of July. Design development may take 8 months. Construction might take eighteen months.
probable cost 4. How do you intend on managing dogs in the park? Will there be a dog run?
We do not recommend a specific area for a dog run or park. Clean up should be enforced more stringently, for example, by
issuing tickets.
pavilion plans, sections, 5. The eastern parking lot is the location of many illicit problems. This plan does not address the needs of the adjacent property
owners. The city needs to close the parking lot at night.
and elevations This is an operational issue that the city needs to address. The long term solution would be to split the parking lot as shown on
the unfunded plan.
6.There isn’t a focal point for the park.
The focal point is the experience along the cut which the design suggests improving and adding artful light beacons. In addition,
the serpent and dune are unusual focal points visible from cruise ships.
7. How does the cut walk address the outdoor dining areas of the restaurant? Does it give more seating area to the restaurant?
The design does not add any additional seating area to the restaurant. The design team will assure that there is a distinction
between the public and private domain at this location.
8. The pier does not have railings and this is a safety issue.
There are railings, but they are placed so that they are not visually obstructive.
9. Is there room for active recreational sports?
These could occur in the space where the tropical gardens are should the community want them.
10. Will making the park attractive attract more transients?
11. The dunes are a refreshing, radical thing.
12.Could there be more berms put in the back to screen the parking lot from the park?
13. Washington Avenue still cuts the park in half. The landscape should read in front as you enter the park, like a ‘gateway.’

14. Could the Tropical Gardens be used for community garden space? This is a good activity in other parks.
15. The playground needs to provide shade.
There will be a combination of trees and shade structures to provide shade
16. There are 83 public parking spaces here. These could be provided for at a new parking garage being constructed at 5th and
Alton. It could serve the park with circulator busses.
Parking must be provided to the restaurant until their lease expires. It is a city policy decision to remove the additional public
parking spaces. The city will look into this.
17. We need to work a way to keep a fully accessible walk and restaurant café use.
18. There are dunes that occur along the entire length of beach, so why do we need more? Seems like a waste of space.
We want to increase the biodiversity in the park, create a healthier ecosystem, attract more birds, insects and lizards. Children
and adults can experience the ecosystem of south Florida in an environment that is controlled.
19. A lot of natural areas are destroyed so I appreciate the biodiversity. Can we introduce more native species of South Florida?
20. What costs so much in the second, unfunded phase?
The reconfiguration of the parking lots and utilities
21. Are there barbeque pits in this plan?
A limited number would be associated with the pavilion building
22.Is the boardwalk gone?
Yes
23. How can we keep people from walking on the dune?
It might be similar to the system that occurs along the existing beach walk
24.Would it be possible to build a pier over the jetty? It would be good to keep the pier access
Yes, but it would be expensive. Pier access is possible still with some alterations.
25. Get rid of all parking
26. The cut walk should separate bike and walk zones.
We have suggested this on grade separation in the design
27. Will there be a place to watch the sunset? Will the berm be high enough to watch the sunset?
The Alaska parcel will be improved for watching the sunset. The tidal pool area in the unfunded phase will have additional
seating. The berm will allow sight westerly.
28. Children enjoy the fountains. Can there be additional fountains?
Yes, these could be apart of the playground
29. What happened to the $10 million? Why do our costs state $8.8 million?
The 8.8 million is for hard costs. The soft costs cover paying project management, survey, geotechnical investigation, and design
fees.
30. What is the elevation of the bermed walk? Does it obstruct sight lines? Is it lawn covered?
12-13 feet tall; does not obstruct sight lines because you are walking on top of it; yes it is covered with lawn, so it can be sat on.
31.The connection shown from Ocean Drive to the park is not nice.
There will be trees, additional landscaping and a separated walk for pedestrian traffic.
32.What is the width of the cut walk? Can it be a separated walk?
The cut walk is currently shown at 20 feet wide. Approximately 8 feet would be dedicated for solely for pedestrian while the
remainder would be shared..

APPENDIX
33. Be aware of the sea turtle issues when designing the lighting effects.
34. The parking at this park is also to accommodate residents outside of Miami Beach. The county has contributed funds for the
parking here.
35.There should be no “no dog” policies in the park
We should find ways to accommodate both dog and non-dog user groups.
36.The outdoor dining at the cut walk intrudes on the walkway. How will this be addressed?
The outdoor dining is allowed under an ordinance similar to Ocean Drive. The ordinance needs to be enforced here.
37.Can the extension of Washington drive be eliminated? It currently doesn’t read as a park entrance.
The design team and city will look into it.
38.Can the rip rap edge be eliminated or beautified?
It is under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers and is unlikely.
39.The lighting concept is interesting. Don’t scale it down when it gets implemented.
Our intention with the plan is to fully fund the improvement parts and do them well.
40.Maintenance will really need to be thought through as the city does not currently maintain the park well now. Many lights are
not working even after several calls to the city. The design needs to be “tank proof.”
41. Are there opportunities to use renewable solar energy?
There will likely be that opportunities in the lights and pavilion building.
Summary:
The presentation was generally well received by the community. The approximately 1 1/2 hour dialogue session following the
presentation provided a great deal of focused, useful information for the design team and city. There was a general consensus
that the design approach was on track with the community’s needs and desires for South Pointe Park. When asked about the
pier, the community felt that the proposed configuration was good and that they did not want the pier demolished completely.
The Design Team and City will refine, clarify, or revise the plan in the following areas for presentation at CDW #2.
• Entrance at Washington Avenue and Ocean Drive- How can it be improved as a “gateway” to Park?
• Dunes- What does it look like? What uses and programming can occur here?
• Parking lot- Can reconfiguration be prioritized? Can it be operated to avert unlawful activities? Can planting buffer the parking
lot from the park?
• Cut walk at the restaurant- clarify the relationship between the public area and the restaurant’s private uses.
• Art/ lighting experience- provide more examples of how that will be experienced.
• Bay Inlet – What does it look like; how will people and other wildlife use &enjoy it?
Community Design Workshop Two

2 June 05
Attendance: Approximately 65
Location: City Commission Chambers- 3rd Floor
This was the second and final community design workshop for South Pointe Park Improvements. Hargreaves Associates led a
presentation to receive feedback on the concept refinements for South Pointe Park Improvements. The presentation showed a
recap of CDW #1, refined plans for Funded, Recommended, and Unfunded schemes, section drawings, three dimensional

renderings, a model of the recommended scheme, and design clarifications for specific areas that the community requested at
CDW #1.
A question and answer period followed. The list below is a summary of each comment from attendees. The responses by the
consultant and/or city representative, when offered, are in italics. Following this list is a summary of actions that the design team
and city will be studying in response to this meeting.
1. Will level of the bay walk be the same on both sides?
The walk will be raised about 18”, and level on both sides. You will be able to sit in both edges of the walk.
2. The cost of the cutwalk at $2million seems costly. If it were redesigned to 12’ instead of the 20’ width, that money could be
used to fund other improvements.
We have provided a 12’ wide travel lane in the proposed cut walk, within the 20’ total width. We have found that 20’ is a national
standard for major walks like these. The 8’ extra is a ‘slow lane’ so that walkers can stand aside from wheeled users. Regarding
cost, this is the one location where finishes greater than standard concrete is used. Design team will look at options between 12’
and 20’.
3. Regarding dogs in the park, this is as much a people issue as it is a dog issue. There are a number of responsible dog owners
here. There is also a lot of area in the park where it is an informal off area leash now. Access to the water is important as is a
piece of the beach. I think we should accommodate both a restricted area and an off leash area.
We need to study further the options for accommodating dogs and other park users. At the last public meeting, there was only
one ‘dog’ comment mentioned. We related our view that small enclosures are not the solution and it seemed to satisfy the
attendees.
4. It is good that you have eliminated the parking to the east, but now it has been shifted to Portifino and South Pointe Towers,
which have a greater population to them. The noise and illicit activities will be shifted to this area now. Why did you do this?
With the new configuration, we are not adding full amount of parking back but actually reducing numbers.
5. We have submitted a petition to the mayor for a dog park with a 160 signatures.
6. Is fixed dog park a consensus here?
We have not yet studied the options for a dog park here. (Gavin showed an example of an adventure dog park in Chelsea Piers,
New York City). It has an asphalt surface which is good for cleaning. But when the dog shown in the picture left the dog park, he
peed in the lawn area outside of the dog park.
7. Is dog park funded?
Nothing is funded for a special dog area. We have not defined an area. One possibility would be to do it as trial- try out some
options until the right solution is found. This would prevent spending money on something that won’t provide a good solution.
8. How sure are you about getting the Alaska parcel?
The city is confident in getting it
9. I would estimate that there is an average dog use of 80-100 dogs in Park. Your numbers of 3 dogs per acre is hard to enforce.
Yes, it is hard to enforce this.
10. If you have 70- 80 dogs, using it every day, how can dogs be accommodated?
A fixed dog park cannot fully accommodate the need for all of the dogs. Enclosure is not an issue; it gets down to management
and enforcement.

APPENDIX
11. Management and enforcement needs to come from the top [in City of Miami Beach authority]. Maybe we should have $1000
fine like New York City.
Currently the park is dog free-for-all, with no place for people. The City has to create a dog guide or system so that people who
don’t have dogs or don’t like dogs can also enjoy it.
12. Can parking be taken up with Apogee facility?
No
13. You are showing a lot of walks made of crushed coral walk. There also seems to be a shortage of park benches. You should
think about seniors.
Most of the walks are concrete. We could consolidate some of the walks at the dunes. The crushed coral occurs at the dunes and
at the cut side of the cut walk. We have accounted for benches in our cost estimates; they are just not shown at this scale in the
plan.
14. $700,000 seems like a lot of money for children’s playground.
Standards for Kid’s playgrounds are bigger these days. It provides adults space and comfort too.
15. Is there an ordinance in place to pick up after dogs? How is it being enforced?
It is enforced by the police. It is a civil infraction if in violation; is committed. It is at the officer’s discretion to ticket. It is easy to
enforce but becomes a manpower issue. We have traffic and other violations to do as well. Having your dog off- leashing is one
offence, not cleaning up after your dog is another offence.
16. Most pet owners clean up after dogs.
17. Is it not too much to ask to have a designated area for dogs?
18. I have contacts at the National Playground Safety Institute. They represent the premiere in playground design. I can help you
make connections if you would like.
19. Regarding the Boat Basin changes, if you are looking for funding its not likely. The Army Corps budget cut by half recently.
20. The Beacon lights look like an accident waiting to happen. Maybe the walk could be shortened to end at the Beacon? There
is a link at Ocean Drive; it is public access and should read that way. With the parking gone it should feel like you have “arrived”
into the park. Perhaps we can put the dog area where Alaska parcel is.
This can be studied during detailed design.
21. Is there another dog park surface other than grass? Other mediums are gross.
Grass is does not hold up well with continued traffic and dog urination in enclosures less than an acre. That is why bark mulch or
hard surface is used in dog parks.
22. There is a lot of noise from parking and it is not relaxing.
There is a big difference in weekend and weekday modes here. We are creating a mid block walk to try to pull the weekend crowd
from the north edge to the middle of the park. .
23. I’m not crazy about the mid side walk. I’m not sure if that will work.
There are many people who park outside the park, in the street, and walk through the park. The parking works well during mid
week. Management during the weekend is an issue.
24. The design team was hired to design more than a dog park.
There is a possibility to address this within park. We need to look at a solution within the current design.
24. The informal dog area is of most enjoyable places in South Pointe Park. A confined, fenced area is not the best solution.
Maybe the western 1/3or ½ could be dog friendly, where no dogs would be allowed in the other ½.
This is what I’m hearing the dog proponents want: 1) informality and free reign 2) a prudent location where dogs are not allowed

3) access to water 4) a smaller restricted area. Regarding parking there is a conflict between those who use the parking to use
park and those who use it to use parking lot. You should look at an increment phase out of parking. Do not replace all of the
parking. And regarding the Cut Walk, no one advocated 20’ width at the last public meeting.
The cut walk was presented in CDW#1 as 20’ and was not an issue then.
25. We definitely need more trash cans with poop dispensers
We agree and it will be provided.
26. The designers are doing a good job. I believe that if they say that the 20’ width is good, then I don’t want to micro-manage
them; let’s get it built as soon as possible. Let’s see if we can get the tropical gardens. And also look at not adding back the
parking lot.
27. There might be a need to do a Concession amendment for what you have proposed to the Smith and Wollensky restaurant.
I like the idea of the signature lights being linked to changing weather.
Summary:
The design clarifications that were addressed in the presentation were generally well received by the community. The feedback
showed support for the Recommended Plan, and that the design needs some minor fine-tuning. There was overwhelming support
to move forward with completing the planning phase so that the design team can proceed with the process in order to get the
improvements built.
As the Dog issues discussion took some time, George Chartrand, Miami Beach C.I.P., called for consensus on the park design
improvements. Consensus was reached on proceeding with the recommended scheme with the following issues to be resolved
before the BODR:
• City finds additional funds over the $8.8 M construction budget

• Parking is to decrease from existing numbers to an optimum amount yet to be decided
• Accommodate dogs in the park through a range of options without having to resort to a fenced enclosure.
• Negotiate new outdoor seating area with Smith and Wollensky.
These notes are submitted by Hargreaves Associates.

End of Notes

APPENDIX
budget level cost estimate

APPENDIX
budget level cost estimate

APPENDIX
pavilion plans, sections and detailed program

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

APPENDIX

APPENDIX


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IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

Mayor David Dermer

Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager

City of Miami Beach Departments:

And the hundreds of community members who participated

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

5.0 How might the place be changed? 35 Appendices 93

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

a unified park, with

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

Location of South Pointe Park, Miami Beach, Florida

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

“We are committed to fulfilling

City of Miami Beach Parks & Recreation

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

public gov biz

what impacts might the moon visitors biomass

run off, erosion pollution noise dog waste

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

which changes should

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

July 11 General Obligation Bond Oversight

July 27 City Commission Meeting

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

17 acres existing murano biscayne st.

shared walk & bikeway existing

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

cruise ship passengers people from people in

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

Visitors. Miami Beach is also one of the country’s most popular

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

Who lives here?

Transients. The picnic shelters, boardwalk and large mound

Workers. The Park is a place of work for many people. As

Children. Parks and Recreation uses a room in the existing

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

Viewing the passing ships is an activity unique to this Park.

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

over 400,000 visits /yr

spring break spike 30000

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

During the planning process, a questionnaire issued at

Daily and weekly patterns are diagrammed on the following two

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

early a.m. walking & murano biscayne st

early beach parking

lawn dune leaving beach to use

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

Pre 1900’s 1905 Government Cut opened by

Mangrove bay inlets 1907 Southern jetty

Photograph Source: Historical Museum of

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

The desire to expand the Port of Miami meant

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

Overall Rank Indicator of Low Value 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Indicator of High Value

recreational opportunites no appropriate activities 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 plenty of appropriate activites

IMPROVING SOUTH POINTE PARK BODR basis of design report

Most agreed that the Park has/is: