Neat Streets Miami-Dade County Awards 2023 Growing Roots for Environmentally Equitable Neighborhoods (Green) Miami-Dade County to The Town of Cutler Bay

On August 8, 2023

In an effort to expand Miami-Dade County’s tree canopy by leveraging local resources, Neat Streets Miami-Dade County awarded the Town of Cutler Bay a 2023 GREEN Miami-Dade County Matching Grant for its Blue Heron Park project in the amount of $13,184.  In its eighth year, Neat Streets Miami-Dade County awarded 17 organizations with matching grants to GREEN up public lands in our county and advance the Million Trees Miami-Dade County initiative, a community-wide effort to achieve a 30 percent overall tree canopy.

“As the Chair of Neat Streets Miami-Dade County, I am excited to work alongside our municipal partners, including the Town of Cutler Bay, to increase our countywide tree canopy,” said County Commissioner Eileen Higgins. “Never before have we awarded so much money to such a diverse pool of applicants. The investments in public land will go a long way in reaching our 30% urban tree canopy goal, making a real difference in the health and beauty of our community.”

“Our community is one that constantly takes action to preserve, restore, and improve our environmental surroundings,” expressed Mayor Tim Meerbott. “Through the Neat Streets Miami-Dade County grant, Cutler Bay is able to continue to increase the Town’s tree canopy. A substantial tree canopy aids in cooling the area, cleans the air, increases property value, and reduces energy costs; all of which improve our quality of life.”

Blue Heron is a 5-acre park located at SW 216 Street and SW 97th Avenue. The park features a half-mile-long paved multi-use path, outdoor fitness equipment, benches, and pavilions. As part of the Blue Heron Park project, the Town of Cutler Bay planted 35 native and Florida-friendly trees including, twelve Gumbo Limbo, six Green Buttonwood, eight Pigeon Plum, six Satin Leaf, and three Black Ironwood. Besides being aesthetically pleasing and improving the environment, more importantly the addition of 35 new trees expands the tree canopy along the path.  The additional trees will greatly increase shade which helps to cool the area as well as improve the safety and comfort of citizens who visit the park.

The Town of Cutler Bay has resolutely demonstrated its commitment to help advance Million Trees Miami-Dade County goal of achieving a 30% tree canopy by planting, to date, over 4,105 trees. Cutler Bay has been a Tree City USA for 14 years, and for the last 11 of those years, the Town has been the recipient of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA Growth Award. Tree City USA is a national recognition program that began in 1976 and provides the framework necessary for communities to manage and expand their public trees. The program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters.

During this year’s Earth Day, Mayor Meerbott shared this message celebrating Earth Day and the Town’s commitment to environmental sustainability. From gardens and stormwater runoff models for kids, to the NEAT Streets Miami program and the prestigious Tree City USA and Growth Awards, Cutler Bay is dedicated to preserving our planet.

The 2023 GREEN Miami-Dade County Matching Grant is made possible through the County’s Tree Trust Fund; preference was given to areas with low tree canopy and low-to-moderate income populations.

About Million Trees Miami-Dade County and Neat Streets Miami-Dade County: 

Launched by Neat Streets Miami-Dade County, the Million Trees Miami-Dade County initiative is a community-wide effort to achieve a 30 percent tree canopy cover for Miami-Dade County. Neat Streets Miami-Dade County is a multi-jurisdictional board dedicated to the promotion of ecological and human health by creating and maintaining sustainable, beautiful, clean, and environmentally equitable spaces countywide.

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 287 parks and 40,000+ acres of parks and natural areas, comprised of active, passive parklands and nature preserves. 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. Miami-Dade Parks is a recipient of numerous awards, both as an agency as a whole and for the accomplishments of its individual facilities and programs. It is one of only 199 park and recreation agencies to be CAPRA-accredited. It is also a two-time recipient of the Governor’s Sterling Award and the National Recreation and Park Association Gold Medal Award for demonstrated excellence in long-range planning, resource management and agency recognition, among other accolades. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter or visit our website for the latest news and updates from Miami-Dade County Parks! @Miami-Dade Parks.

This piece was republished from the Community Newspapers.