Why The Underline Is Miami’s Most Ambitious Urban Renewal Project
Underneath the soaring tracks of Miami’s Metrorail lies 120 acres of untapped opportunity. What was once neglected or under-utilized is being transformed into The Underline — a 10-mile linear park, urban trail system, and public-art corridor that promises to reconnect neighborhoods, boost mobility, and bring green infrastructure into the heart of the city.
Designed by acclaimed urban-landscape firm James Corner Field Operations (also behind New York’s High Line) in collaboration with community and government partners, The Underline is being constructed in three phases.
Project Overview & Key Facts
- • Total corridor length: ~10 miles (some sources 10.5 mi) from the Miami River in Brickell to Dadeland South Station.
- • Area covered: 120 acres of reclaimed land under the Metrorail guideway.
- • Status:
- • Phase 1 – Brickell Backyard: opened February 26, 2021.
- • Phase 2 – Hammock Trail: opened April 24, 2024; this 2.14-mile segment connects Brickell to SW 19th Avenue.
- • Phase 3 – southernmost stretch to Dadeland South: under construction, expected completion by 2026.
- • Design & Use: The Underline blends native landscaping, multi-use trails, transit connectivity, public art, and community amenities: walking & biking paths, butterfly gardens, rain gardens / bioswales for stormwater management, pedestrian lighting, wayfinding, recreational courts and playgrounds, fitness zones, open gathering spaces, and more.
- • Connectivity & Impact: Once complete, The Underline will link 8 Metrorail stations — enabling alternative mobility options (walking, cycling, public transit), connecting to nearby neighborhoods, schools, hospitals, shopping centers, and businesses, thereby enhancing accessibility and promoting sustainable urban living.
What You’ll Experience: Highlights & Spaces
- • Brickell Backyard: the northern entry zone: a thoughtfully designed “procession of rooms,” including green spaces, pedestrian promenades, community gathering tables, ping-pong / game areas, and sculpted gardens for urban respite.
- • Hammock Trail: a lush stretch that links neighborhoods, with native plantings, playgrounds, recreation zones, and natural habitat regeneration adjacent to preserved green areas.
- • Green Infrastructure & Sustainability: The Underline incorporates bioswales, rain gardens, rainwater management systems, native and shade-tolerant plant species — turning a once-blighted corridor into an ecological asset that promotes stormwater management and urban cooling.
- • Community & Culture: Beyond recreation and transit: expect public art, cultural programming, community wellness events, and inclusive public spaces that aim to knit together diverse neighborhoods along the corridor.
Why It Matters for Miami & for Urban Living
- • Reclaiming unused space: The Underline turns under-the-rails land — once neglected — into a vibrant public realm where people can walk, bike, relax, exercise, and connect.
- • Supporting sustainable mobility: By providing safe pedestrian and bike paths directly linked to transit, The Underline reduces reliance on cars, ease commuting, and promotes healthier lifestyles.
- • Boosting urban ecology & resiliency: The native landscaping, stormwater features, and green infrastructure soften the concrete urban environment and help mitigate environmental stressors.
- • Strengthening communities: The park crosses multiple neighborhoods and invites people from different backgrounds to engage, socialize, and share public spaces — fostering social cohesion and quality of life.
- • Elevating culture & place-making: With art, design, public programming, and purposeful urban planning, The Underline becomes more than a trail — it becomes a signature element of Miami’s urban fabric.
What’s Next: Looking Ahead to Full Completion
With Phase 3 underway and full build-out targeted by 2026, The Underline stands as one of Miami’s most ambitious urban-renewal projects. As more segments open, the corridor will gradually knit together neighborhoods from Brickell through Coral Gables, Kendall, and beyond — creating a continuous green spine for walking, cycling, transit, and community life.
For residents, commuters, urban planners, and visitors, The Underline offers a fresh vision of what city space can be: adaptive, sustainable, accessible, and alive.
