Coconut Grove Chamber Of Commerce: Kennedy Park Gets New Pathways

Press release from Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce:

May 28, 2021

Which of Coconut Grove’s magnificent waterfront parks gets the most love? Peacock? The Barnacle? Kennedy?

If infrastructure investment is an indication of park love, Kennedy wins hands down. All the park’s pathways are currently being rebuilt in a months-long project that started with most of the paths on the south side of the 20-acre park being completely torn up. The deteriorated, pock-marked rubber-chip surface that walkers, runners, and cyclists have put up with for many years will be replaced by a new, sturdier surface built on a stronger base of crushed rock.

According to the City Parks and Recreation Department, the new surface is designed for joggers, walkers, runners, and bicyclists because of its thickness and ability to absorb impact. It will contain a mixture of rubber chips and rubber mulch at 2” for the final surface, a 4” crushed stone (Limerock) base for stability, and curbs along the edges. The current surface is rubber-bonded mulch, which is thin and less friendly to path users.

The project is being carried out in four phases and will be completed in October.

Already completed several months ago was the installation of a complete fitness center in Kennedy Park’s southern sector. The Parks and Recreation Department is also working on preliminary designs for a full renovation of the existing parking lot at the north end of the park—home to the legendary A.C’s Icees. It’s currently in the design and planning stage.

Farewell to those scruffy surfaces. Not a moment too soon.

This press release was produced by Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.