PROUD TO BE A GUARDIAN OF GREEN GRASS AND LUSH TREES

I HAVE PROTECTED THE NATURE AT WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN PARK  FOR NEARLY A QUARTER OF A CENTURY

Honored to be part of the ribbon cutting to celebrate renovations of William Jennings Bryan Park under the leadership of Commissioner Ralph "Rafael" Rosado.

It was great to celebrate with the Commissioner and Mayor Eileen Higgins.

I created the covenant that conserves the west side of the park.

This perpetuates a perfect balance – tennis/pickleball, youth playground, exercise stations, right-sized community center and picnic area on the active side.

Green grass, shading trees and hundreds of uses for open space (a rarity in Miami) on the passive side of the two-acre city park in the Shenandoah part of Miami.

COMMUNITY BUILDING

THROUGH UNIVERSAL DESIGN AND INCLUSIVE MOBILITY

For more than three decades – as a journalist, planner, marketer, educator and activist – I have worked to make the built environment a better place.

The key has been Universal Design – making sidewalks, transit, healthcare, education, arts, job centers and housing accessible to all people of all ages, abilities and incomes.

It was a pleasure to share some of my thoughts on Universal Design and Inclusive Mobility in civic space, while on the inaugural DDA block walk this week.

I was privileged to be on the first block walk led by Ralph “Rafael” Rosado, chair of the Miami Downtown Development Authority.

An expert planner, Rosado also serves my District 4 City of Miami Commissioner.

The walking tour included diverse chats about walkability/urban vibrancy. Honored to chime in about Universal Design and ADA issues.

Thanks to Miami City Commissioner Damian Pardo – whose district covers much of the Central Business District, Brickell and Performing arts areas in the city core -- for graciously listening to my ideas for enhanced access for people with disabilities.

I emphasized that the sidewalk should be maintained during all construction.

Miami currently allows developers to close sidewalks for years of construction.

For a single round trip, a pedestrian or wheelchair user must cross dangerous traffic 4 times.

DDA and other leaders understood this must stop.

Most cities require scaffolding to keep sidewalks safe and open during development taking place along them.