Master Plan Process

COMPLETE & UPGRADE THE TRAIL FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES & ABILITIES TO SAFELY WALK, BIKE, OR ROLL ALONG IT

• Safely connect people to Miami’s key trails, parks, and landmarks
• Reduce pinch points and obstacles
• Provide separation between cars and biking / walking wherever possible.
• Enhance lighting and signage
• Improve existing trail crossings and increase safe access to the trail

GROW COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF THE TRAIL & ESTABLISH A COHESIVE IDENTITY FOR IT

• Involve the community in every step of the process
• Create a clear wayfinding strategy and cohesive branding identity

SETUP AN IMPLEMENTATION & MAINTENANCE PLAN

• Work with City of Miami, Coral Gables, the County, and community advocacy groups to identify funding mechanisms and responsibilities for trail construction and maintenance

Begun in 2022, the multi year-long process centers on public meetings with neighborhoods, businesses and civic groups. In meetings small and large, in person and online, the master plan process recruits, drafts, presents and receives feedback on a wide range of design concepts tailored for the many varied locations along the Trail. Successive rounds of design concepts and public feedback sessions will incrementally focus the design goals on those that have consensus support.

The master plan will identify about 20 separate projects which together will form the Commodore Trail.  Their design will be unified by the master plan.  Examples include specific intersections, crosswalk improvements, drainage infrastructure and roadway improvements, as well as pedestrian and cycle paths.  Each project is likely to be funded from differing sources, depending on its unique purpose.  And of course because the Commodore Trail stretches across five miles of urban neighborhoods, the benefits and challenges of each section will be different.

Daunting?  Not really.  Making the community better for everyone is what the Friends do. And it’s very satisfying to help bring permanent good things to our lives.  We hope you can join the Friends.

The work of early 2022 started detailed surveys of the entire corridor’s trees, historic features, existing structures and property lines. The summer saw a stream of early concept presentations which are continuing in the autumn. After the public feedback, the surviving concepts will be refined and again presented for guidance. This pattern will repeat through the Spring of 2024 until a consensus design is presented to the various boards and commissions of Miami-Dade County, Miami and Coral Gables.

The resultant master plan will guide the detailed designs, engineering, contracts and construction of the many individual projects that together will form the ultimate Commodore Trail.

Some portions of the Trail’s construction are already funded. The remainder will be funded through an overlapping combination of federal, state, and local government funds and private foundation capital grants. Ultimately operating program and maintenance funds will likely come from private foundations, corporate sponsors and private benefactors (which is typical of urban trails in other US cities).

Individuals and groups can provide guidance, suggestions and opinions at any time.  Use this link  to make your thoughts known or write us directly and we’ll help get you connected to the project managers.