Join The Fun, Join The Fight At Save Greynolds Park’s Fundraiser Event
Greynolds Park, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) along with landscape architect William Lyman Phillips, opened on March 29, 1936 to the public attracting many visitors to the luscious green lawns and mangrove trees. The Historic Preservation Board declared the park a historic site in 1983. At the time Greynolds Park was home to more than 175 native plant species, which included 11 plant species plus 13 animal species that were at the time threatened or endangered under the federal and state statutes. Today, however, many of the plants and animals have disappeared or receded due to Miami’s growth and development around the park.
In 2006 Braha Dixie, LLC, companies from New York and New Jersey, approached the city of North Miami Beach to purchase four acres of land adjacent to West Dixie Highway and along the east side of the lagoon area on Greynolds Park. The developmental plan details that the contractors want to build two ten story tall Hyatt Hotels, a 600-700 car garage along with 85,000 square feet of class-A office space with 30,000 sq. feet of retail space that includes varying details and balconies.
Shortly after, a dispute began between the City of North Miami Beach and the residents of North Miami Beach. Fighting to keep the park’s beauty from being destroyed are protesters along with a sub-committee from Friends of Oleta River, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting the natural resources of Northeast Miami-Dade.
With the aid of attorney Charles Baron (among other attorneys) subcommittee members have been fighting this development in court as the rezoning fails to meet city code criteria.
The members of Save Greynolds Park who promote events to encourage support for the park are frustrated with Miami-Dade Commissioner, Sally A. Heyman, as they feel she is not supporting the park’s historic lineage or fighting for the park that is within her district. Deborah Bacher says Sally Hayman “should be defending the integrity of Greynolds Park, instead of ignoring the issue and not speaking out against these developers.”
Many of the residents who live behind the paved parking lot where these buildings will be erected have plenty of concerns. Bacher, who is one of the residents and subcommittee member, worries what these buildings will do to her property value as well as the environmental damages the construction will do to the park.
Bill Campbell, member of the Save Greynolds Park committee, worries about the traffic the construction will create considering the fact that everything planned will be built right on top of the two lane West Dixie Highway. Other concerns include the run off from the construction into the Oleta River and lakes of the park, the trash left behind from the workers and the after effects to traffic once everything has been built.
To raise money and awareness for the park several events are assembled throughout the year. The next upcoming event will take place at Luna Star Cafe located at 775 NE 125 St. in North Miami on Sunday, Feb. 8. Everything kicks off at half-past three when the doors open up until midnight. The event will be hosted by folk singer, Valerie C. Wisecracker and will include an assortment of live music from bands such as Box of Light, Sarah Jacobs Trio, Earthshine Duo and many more. Join in the fun with good music and great food. A minimum donation of $10 is being suggested.