Since 1984, Miamians have used the Metrorail as a form of inexpensive and efficient public transportation. The train is an energy-saving alternative to cars, especially for anyone who travels to and from the center city of Miami during rush-hour traffic. Tourists, employees, and University of Miami students alike have benefitted from this service for years, but the area underneath the tracks has largely been unused and not well maintained. At many of the metrorail stations, homeless squatters have been known to set up camp, and parts of the natural environment that lays just west of US1 has become overgrown, ignored, and graffitied. However, an organization called Friends of the Underline was established in 2013 with a mission to beautify this area by creating over 10 miles of trails, nature, and recreation for public use.

In the early 1980s, the metrorail was placed over the Florida East Coast Railway tracks, which parallel South Dixie Highway from Downtown Miami to Dadeland. The Metrorail now travels from Miami International Airport and Hialeah and continues until it reaches Dadeland South station, providing a diverse range of neighborhoods of various income levels with this transportation service. The Underline’s goal is to improve almost 10 miles of this area underneath the train. The linear park is currently being spaced into 3 phases and has a total budget of $120 million collected from various sources, including the City of Miami, the State of Florida, and other private and public funds.

The founder of Friends of the Underline, Meg Daley, decided to go down the path of improving her local neighborhood after breaking both of her arms. Unable to drive herself to work, she decided to take the Metrorail and walk the rest of the way to her destination. While walking underneath the train, she realized how much care and attention that the m-path needed: Friend of the Underline was soon born.

Phase 1 of the project has already been completed, and stretches for a half a mile from the Miami River to SW 13th Street in the Brickell area. Various amenities have been constructed, including a half-court for basketball, a running track, a walking and biking trail, and an outdoor gym. Additionally, the “Brickell Backyard” features forested areas and increased biodiversity through native flora and fauna gardens. One of the missions of the Friends of the Underline is to promote eco-tourism, sustainability, and climate friendliness. By encouraging growth of the natural Pine Rockland ecosystem, the organization has and will continue to attract native butterflies, bees, and birds. Their pledge to plant over 4,000 trees throughout the 10 mile park will create a space to encourage carbon-free forms of exercise and recreation.

“It has been a long process, but worth it, based on the transformation of unused land into lush native foliage.” said Hugh Ryan, a City of Miami Historic and Environmental Preservation Board Member, “The wasteland that used to belong to the Florida East Coast Railway over 100 years ago has become a South Florida pine forest. It’s incredible!”

The second part of the Underline plan is a 2.14 mile stretch that connects the Vizcaya Metrorail Station with The Roads and Silver Bluff neighborhoods, and was completed this past summer. The single lane asphalt bike path that was originally placed under the Metrorail was transformed into a two lane path that cuts through urban oasis. Even in the summer, the shade provided by the train will encourage bikers, dog walkers, and joggers a space to exercise despite the heat. By the end of 2026, the third portion of the Underline will be established over 7 miles, from 19th Avenue to the Dadeland South Metrorail Station. In addition to the 100,000 native species that are going to be planted, the public will have access to free Wi-Fi, yoga classes every Saturday, and beautiful public art.

What began in 2013 as one person’s idea of possibility has turned into an innovative area of our city that will last for generations to come. As phase three of the project comes to fruition, Miamians will realize how essential the area is for outdoor recreation. The modern and functional space creates a place where people can both disconnect from their hectic lives while enjoying the diverse metropolitan city they live in.