Green Is Good, Miami's Grand Central Park
By: Vanessa Haim
In The Famous Words of Kermit the frog, "It ain't easy being green", but don't tell that to the innovative forces behind Miami's new 5 acre Grand Central Park, a 100% green recreational oasis to be located in the heart of downtown Miami (former location of the Miami Arena).The former vacant lot will now house the cities newest attraction for all things green and more, and not just the lush foliage, but also local organic farmers markets and festivals. Keeping with the green concept the park intends to be a financially self-sufficient, using recycled materials and low maintenance turf for a lightweight landscape design. The park will also house an eco-friendly harvesting pond, intended to reduce flooding and remove water pollution from the ongoing street traffic. Best of all the park will provide a much needed boost to the local economy by attracting neighborhood businesses for events, hiring permanent and temporary workers as well.
The pilot program for the instant park concept started in March 2010 with Mark Lesniak, the executive director of the non-profit Omni Parkwest Redevelopment Association (OPRA) and Brad Knoefler, founder and president. The idea was simple, to improve the negative perception of Miami's downtown area by using a vacant space for a pedestrian friendly environment. Initiating the project was due in part by a generous $65,000 donation from downtown's very own Grand Central nightclub. Then in January 2011 OPRA received a $200,000 grant from Southeast Overtown Parkway Community Redevelopment Agency. All the funds were put to good use and hired local workers to remove 100 truck loads of debris to smooth out the landscape. Already the groundbreaking ceremonies were held this past Monday, October 17th, and in less than a month the park will be scheduled to open.
We can only speculate as to what elaborate events will take place in the 2 arms hugging shaped park, and it could come at no better time. With Art Basel right around the corner and Miami already the home of the worlds leading electronic music festival, the possibilities are endless. The appeal is certainly already there, making a buzz throughout the community, Grand Central Park will certain provide a scenic change and prime spot for some r&r from the city's busy urbanized downtown area.
Grand Central Park Miami 700 N. Miami Ave. Miami FL, 33132
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