Lots going on at Kennedy Park
Special report by by Carlos Iglesia
Many good things are happening right now at Kennedy Park.
They are finally removing the non-indigenous, invasive, detrimental plant and tree species and replacing them with indigenous ones. That includes the huge Australian Pines, the infamous Seaside Mahoes, Brazilian Pepper bushes, etc.
There was a comprehensive, official study done about that from accredited arborists a few years ago, which identified such detrimental plants and trees. 945 of them, if memory serves.
They are also finally trimming the mangroves to open “windows” so we can see the water. Now, you can see the Bay a lot better at Kennedy Park.
I wish they would do the same a Peacock Park, actually completely remove a few mangroves on the East side, where the boardwalk is, so people can see the Bay, as it was for decades before the 90’s. You could see the Bayside water all the way up from McFarlane Road. We know mangroves are beneficial, but even arborists agree that we are going overboard about that, as one recently told me. There are thousands of “sacred mangroves," as I call them, all over the five miles of blocked bayside water views that we have in Coconut Grove. Sadly, the only place you can see some water along those five miles is Seminole Boat Ramp, a few yards, if you’re walking, biking, or driving by the sidewalks or the road in South Bayshore Drive. Just imagine what better water views from the street would do for tourism and business in the Grove.
At Kennedy Park, they are also planning to open-up kayak launching points, close to Bayshore Drive, west side of the park, out of the “rivers” that come in from the bay through the mangroves.
They have already replanted already numerous grown, nice new trees, as they did on 27th Avenue recently.
According to the workers and the arborist, who I spoke with, they are also replacing torn, ugly grass with new, better quality grass patches.
Many good things are happening right now at Kennedy Park.
They are finally removing the non-indigenous, invasive, detrimental plant and tree species and replacing them with indigenous ones. That includes the huge Australian Pines, the infamous Seaside Mahoes, Brazilian Pepper bushes, etc.
There was a comprehensive, official study done about that from accredited arborists a few years ago, which identified such detrimental plants and trees. 945 of them, if memory serves.
They are also finally trimming the mangroves to open “windows” so we can see the water. Now, you can see the Bay a lot better at Kennedy Park.
I wish they would do the same a Peacock Park, actually completely remove a few mangroves on the East side, where the boardwalk is, so people can see the Bay, as it was for decades before the 90’s. You could see the Bayside water all the way up from McFarlane Road. We know mangroves are beneficial, but even arborists agree that we are going overboard about that, as one recently told me. There are thousands of “sacred mangroves," as I call them, all over the five miles of blocked bayside water views that we have in Coconut Grove. Sadly, the only place you can see some water along those five miles is Seminole Boat Ramp, a few yards, if you’re walking, biking, or driving by the sidewalks or the road in South Bayshore Drive. Just imagine what better water views from the street would do for tourism and business in the Grove.
At Kennedy Park, they are also planning to open-up kayak launching points, close to Bayshore Drive, west side of the park, out of the “rivers” that come in from the bay through the mangroves.
They have already replanted already numerous grown, nice new trees, as they did on 27th Avenue recently.
According to the workers and the arborist, who I spoke with, they are also replacing torn, ugly grass with new, better quality grass patches.
posted by Tom Falco at 10:00 AM
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10 Comments:
Does anyone out there know why the pavillions, bbq's, and picnic benches that were at Peacock Park were torn down and replaced by mangroves in the first place?
Kind of off subject but there is a new Parks Rules and Regs sign down by the boardwalk and rule #8 states "No domestic animals allowed in park." I think a lot of people are going to be unhappy a out not being able to walk their dogs at Peacock anymore. Especially me. :(
Anonymous, as you probably know Kennedy Park is full of dogs and has an excellent dog park with amenities and divided for big and small dogs. It's only half a mile away with plenty of free parking on weekdays.
CI
So if all the mangroves at Kenneth Myer park are removed, an additional 274 feet of water are visible up from the existing 380 feet, or, as you put it, "a few yards." Cutting down all the mangroves at Kennedy park will yield another 1,400 feet of water views. The rest of the bay front property is full of buildings, I suppose those can be razed so driver's can have yet another distraction and look at the water.
Also, what's the expectation from tourists? They will come look at the water then what? There's not much around here.
You're going to miss those 'sacred' mangroves come the next hurricane and then what?
Carlos, yes I do know Kennedy Park is just down the road but think you need to go check out that whole "plenty of free parking" idea. I work for a living and trying to park at Kennedy any time after 4pm is impossible. Another thing about working for a living is that for a large slice of the year the sun goes down so early that by the time I get through traffic, get the dogs loaded, get through traffic again, the park is already closed. Peacock on the other hand is open till 10pm so it works for me.
Kennedy Park has also been ground zero for car break-ins for the last two decades. No thanks.
Anon @ 3:14AM:
We did just fine through storms and hurricanes for decades before the 90's without those few mangroves on the East side of Peacock Park, and lots of people do just fine with less mangroves, no mangroves, or trimmed mangroves. Do you seriously think that a few mangroves on that a few branches with a hole park after that (no houses or anything) would make any difference during a storm? Get real.
CI
Anon@ 2:42 PM:
Who said to "remove all mangroves at Kennedy park"?? You''d better re-read what I wrote. I said open "windows" on the mangroves, which was approved by Parks and recreation and arborists already, remove only the detrimental invasive species, not the indegenous, beneficial mangroves. Read again. I was only suggesting to remove a few mangroves on Peacock park, in front of the boardwalk, to get an awesome water view, as it was for decades before the 90's.
CI
Anon@ 8:28 AM:
I've live a block away from Kennedy park for 8 years, and I work out there almost every day.
Parking is tough on weekends, but weekdays, there is always parking, and on a crowded day there are meters around on the adjacent streets.
Car break-ins can happen anywhere. Closing time is an issue for you though, I think they should improve the lighting an perhaps hire a security guard to leave it open a bit later.
CI
Kennedy park is just a park nothing special trust me you can take the mangroves down and nobody would notice.the place needs to get a huge makeover.that rubber track was a waist of money.and the place is invfested with lime dysease carring ticks.place needs a huge makeover and fast.
Are mangroves no longer a federally protected tree, one with which cutting down comes a very large fine?
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