"This is an exciting project that will seamlessly link the trail to other parks, sidewalks and bicycle trails; and will connect citizens to new opportunities for outdoor exercise and recreation," said Miami-Dade County Parks Director Jack Kardys. "It provides residents with alternative routes to access our parks and will help improve the overall quality of life in this community." 

"By taking such a proactive approach in improving access to these two wonderful parks, the County's Parks Department is effectively connecting communities together for the enjoyment of our residents and the overall improvement of the districts that Commissioner Moss and I represent," said Commissioner Bell.  "This initiative will encourage our beloved residents to be more active in their lives and entice them to explore the natural wonders unique to our little piece of paradise we all call home."  

"With this collaborative effort we are making this community a healthier and more vibrant place to live, work and play," said Commissioner Moss. "By commuting this way, families can enjoy more fun, free outings and the bonus of having a little more money in their pockets, as they will be reducing their automobile use and expenditures on gasoline."

This marks another greenway trail expansion project implemented by the Miami-Dade County Parks and Open Spaces Master Plan.  In July, Miami-Dade County Parks broke ground on the Snake Creek Trail expansion project that will add nearly 3.4 miles of new trail and linear park facilities to Snake Creek Trail in North Miami Beach. That project is expected to be complete within a year. The Miami-Dade County Parks and Open Spaces Master Plan includes the development of 19.5 miles of additional greenway trail expansion projects by 2015, with the mission of seamlessly connecting people and parks for life.

The Black Creek Trail expansion project consists of a linear park (narrow landscaped strip of land) and a 10-foot-wide paved trail, primarily within the South Florida Water Management District right-of-way along the Black Creek Canal, designed for shared-use by walkers, in-line skaters, cyclists, and other non-motorized users, as well as those using Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) approved motorized devices.  Amenities will include landscaping, way-finding signage and regulatory signage throughout each phase. The first phase of development will include a new trail segment between Black Point Park and Marina and SW 97 Avenue. The second phase of development will extend from Larry and Penny Thompson Park to SW 127 Avenue, and will include the resurfacing and widening of an existing concrete sidewalk along SW 176 Street; and a new trail segment from SW 137 Avenue to SW 184 Street; and resurfacing and widening of existing trail from SW 184 Street to SW 127 Avenue. The third and final phase from SW 127 Avenue to SW 97 Avenue, will include the widening and resurfacing of existing trail from SW 127 Avenue to US-1; a new trail segment between US-1 and SW 112 Avenue; a new 12-foot-wide bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Black Creek Canal on the east side of US-1, connecting the south side of the canal to the north side of the canal; widening and resurfacing of existing trail between SW 112 Avenue and SW 216 Street; and a new trail segment between SW 216 Street and SW 97 Avenue.  In addition, this phase will include rest areas with small shelters, bike racks and trash receptacles near SW 112 Avenue and SW 97 Avenue. 

Miami-Dade County Parks' Design and Build Team is working in conjunction with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. (design consultant); Matthew Gibson, PE (engineer on record); Stewart Robertson, PE (consultant project manager); and JVA Engineering Contractor, Inc. (construction contractors) to complete this project. The projected completion date is mid October 2013.

The project cost is $2,060,995.  Funding will be provided through a grant from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Building Better Communities General Obligation Bond (GOB) Program dollars.

The Black Creek Trail is a proposed 17-mile greenway corridor that will eventually connect to West Kendall District Park and the Krome Trail near the L-31N Canal with Black Point Park and Marina.  The initial concept for this multi-use non-motorized trail was developed by the Redland Conservancy in the South Dade Greenway Network Master Plan and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in 1995. 

The Black Creek Trail expansion will connect three existing Miami-Dade County trails, South Dade Trail, Old Cutler Trail, and Biscayne Trail; and area parks and preserves, such as, Larry and Penny Thompson Park, Black Creek Forest, South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, Black Point Park and Marina, and Biscayne Bay Coastal Wetlands.  The trail connections tie into a larger 27 mile network of trails near Biscayne Bay that go through six municipalities with access to numerous significant cultural facilities, environmentally endangered lands, and heritage parks that extend all the way to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.  Black Creek Trail also connects to the East Coast Greenway corridor, which consists of 2,500 miles of off-road and traffic-free trail linking East Coast cities and towns from Maine to the Florida Keys.

For more information about the Black Creek Trail development project, the public should contact Adelfa Martinez of the Miami-Dade Parks Project Management Division at 305-755-7815.

About the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Department:
Nationally accredited, a three-time winner of the NRPA National Gold Medal Award and winner of the 2009 Florida Governor's Sterling Award for excellence in management and operations, Miami-Dade County Parks is the third largest county park system in the United States, consisting of 260 parks and 12,848 acres of land.  It is one of the most unique park and recreation systems in the world.  Made up of more than just playgrounds and athletic fields, it also comprises out-of-school, sports-development, and summer-camp programs; programs for seniors and people with disabilities; educational nature centers and nature preserves; environmental restoration efforts; arts and culture programs and events; the renowned Zoo Miami and the Deering Estate at Cutler; the Crandon Tennis Center, home of the Sony Ericsson Open; golf courses; beaches; marinas; campgrounds; pools; and more.  For information visit Miami-Dade County Parks or call 3-1-1.

Miami-Dade County Parks is supported by The Parks Foundation of Miami-Dade a non-profit 501(c)3 organization supporting the Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department's efforts to further develop Miami-Dade County's world-class parks system for residents and visitors.  Its mission is to create a healthier, more livable and sustainable Miami community by ensuring the implementation of the Parks Open Space Master Plan and the development of year-round park and recreation programs for local children, adults and people with disabilities.  For more information on the Parks Foundation, please visit Parks Foundation.

To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (7 days in advance), call 305-755-7848.