Neat Streets Parks Reforestation Projects Thrive in Miami Beach

for immediate release

September 3, 2024

- The native Florida trees were planted in 5 Miami Beach parks under a 2022 grant -

Miami Beach, FL – Dozens of native Florida canopy trees that were planted in five Miami Beach parks in 2022 have taken root and appear to be thriving two years later.

“We planted a variety of species, mainly green and silver buttonwoods as well as slash pines,” explained Miami Beach Chief Resilience Officer Amy Knowles. “The additional trees are helping the city to expand its urban tree canopy, which intercepts thousands of gallons of urban stormwater runoff, reduces carbon monoxide, helps conserve electricity and improves the overall health of our residents.”

The 2022 Neat Streets Parks reforestation project cost $128,885 and included the planting of 128 trees. Some $50,000 came from a Neat Streets Miami grant through the Miami-Dade County Tree Trust Fund, which prioritizes programs based on locations with low tree canopy and low-to-moderate income populations. Miami Beach parks that benefitted from the additional trees included Stillwater, Polo, Pine Tree, Altos Del Mar and Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

In addition to the grant money, the project was funded by the city’s 2018 voter-approved general obligation bond.

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This press release was a requirement of the Neat Streets Parks grant.

About Million Trees Miami and Neat Streets Miami
Launched by Neat Streets Miami, the Million Trees Miami initiative is a communitywide effort to achieve a 30% tree canopy cover for Miami-Dade County. Neat Streets Miami is a multi-jurisdictional county board dedicated to the maintenance and beautification of transportation corridors, gateways and connections.

About Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces
Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 278 parks and 13,769 acres of land. It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world and focused on placemaking, health and fitness and conservation and stewardship. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter or on our website for the latest news and updates from Miami-Dade County Parks!

We are committed to providing excellent public service and safety to all who live, work and play in our vibrant, tropical, historic community.

About the Miami Beach G.O. Bond Programs
By the community, for the community, the 70% voter-approved $439 million General Obligation Bond Program approved by voters in 2018 as well as a similar 2022 program focused on arts and culture, are revitalizing public spaces, public structures and public securities for the future of Miami Beach. Upgrading city functions and enhancing city aesthetics at an unprecedented scale, the 2018 G.O. Bond Program is working to implement 57 separate improvement projects that will positively impact quality of life, economic health and overall resilience in Mid, North and South Beach.

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