Blueways Master Plan Update
The City of Miami Beach has selected the first location for a public kayak launch site in North Beach! It will be built at Dickens Ave - North of 73rd Street, at Parkview Island Park.
The City of Miami Beach has selected the first location for a public kayak launch site in North Beach. It will be built at Dickens Ave – North of 73rd Street, at Parkview Island Park. This plan is part of a larger initiative called the Blueways Master Plan, which seeks to engage and connect people with the water.
“The kayak launch includes a fixed platform, gangway and floating dock in the water,” said Public Information Specialist for the CMB’s Office of Capital Improvement Projects, Lauren Firtel. “There will be a walkway providing access from the parking lot south of 73 Street that leads to the kayak launch. It will also be ADA accessible.”
Currently, the project is in the design phase, which is 30% complete. Various City departments are still reviewing the plans. After that, the project will start the procurement process in late Spring 2016 and will go through an extensive permitting process with environmental agencies. The City anticipates starting construction in Fall 2016 and hope for the kayak launch to be ready for use by February 2017.
“It’s exciting to see that the City is encouraging people to get in the water,” said avid kayaker Megan Burgin. “Now, we have no excuse to not kayak and enjoy our beautiful waterways. I hope people take advantage of this amenity.”
According to the master plan, “blueways” are a system of canals, rivers, waterways and lakes connected with a similar environmental theme. The overall point of the plan is to allow recreational activities and even add transportation elements to the water.
The master plan was organized in three categories, addressing quicker fixes first and more difficult issues later. First, the City hopes to update landscapes, bike facilities and ensure trash and recycling receptacles are available. The second round of improvements include upgrades intended to engage users at the new areas. The kayak launch would be included in this category. Additional improvements include an artificial habitat creation, living shoreline enhancement, adding boat docks, a bike network, including vendor kiosks/stands and pedestrian promenades. Long-term improvements to the areas include shelters and gazebos, a pedestrian bridge, sunken classroom, mangrove habitat, lookout pier and City marina.
Stay tuned as we track the progress of future North Beach launch sites and blueways development.
roger ulbrich December 17, 2015
Encouraging the use of our waterways is great. As someone who is already on the water in this area daily, I hope no dredging of this area is involved and the priority is not on rentals or other private businesses but opening the water access in the smallest and least offensive footprint. The initial plans stated in this article sound like much too much development for a quiet mangrove area.
Let’s hope the plan in no ways damages or abuses the mangroves in the Park View Island area. This is the last and final stand of mangroves on Miami Beach. Please do all you can in the plan to leave the mangroves completely intact and protected. Kayaking is a not very popular in the area but other water sports are used often. Please include other water uses in this plan ( Standup Paddleboarding ).
roger ulbrich December 17, 2015
Encouraging the use of our waterways is great. As someone who is already on the water in this area daily, I hope no dredging of this area is involved and the priority is not on rentals or other private businesses but opening the water access in the smallest and least offensive footprint. The initial plans stated in this article sound like much too much development for a quiet mangrove area.
Let’s hope the plan in no ways damages or abuses the mangroves in the Park View Island area. This is the last and final stand of mangroves on Miami Beach. Please do all you can in the plan to leave the mangroves completely intact and protected. Kayaking is a not very popular in the area but other water sports are used often. Please include other water uses in this plan ( Standup Paddleboarding ).
North Beach News January 6, 2016
@rogerulbrich:disqus great feedback. These would be non-motorized launches designed for SUPs, kayaks, etc. Questions regarding mangrove, wildlife issues, and how to leave a positive environmental impact were all brought up at the community meetings. Here’s a link to the key points that were highlighted in the plan: http://www.northbeachnews.com/blog/blueways-master-plan-promises-water-fun-for-all/#.Vo0451Kk-3Q
North Beach News January 6, 2016
@rogerulbrich:disqus great feedback. These would be non-motorized launches designed for SUPs, kayaks, etc. Questions regarding mangrove, wildlife issues, and how to leave a positive environmental impact were all brought up at the community meetings. Here’s a link to the key points that were highlighted in the plan: http://www.northbeachnews.com/blog/blueways-master-plan-promises-water-fun-for-all/#.Vo0451Kk-3Q