One option takes out half the loop road, four parking lots, the entire palmetum (palm garden) and the restroom, all replaced by a grass playing field.

A second option, takes out much more of the loop road, four parking lots, the palm garden and the restroom, all replaced by a grass playing field.

Another adds an entrance road along the south side of the park to the boat ramp. It’s not clear if takes out any of the big banyan Ficus trees there now.

Some observations:

Financially wasteful

Both of these options would be very financially wasteful, as they would demolish existing, fully functioning facilities that the public has enjoyed since 1953, then rebuild some of them elsewhere in the park.

It’s a huge waste of money both coming and going. And what would it accomplish? The City would instead have a big, grassy open playing field.

But the park already has at least six open grassy areas where sports and games are played.

At least 219 trees would be removed

The plan would take out at least 219 trees. Seven of them are huge legacy trees, at least 70 years old, with trunk diameters from 3 to 5 feet.

Loss of convenience

No longer would we have the easy, convenient parking and picnicking situation we now enjoy along the perimeter of the loop road.

The City would instead build a large parking lot near the tidal basin, which would make for a long walk carrying picnic supplies to picnic areas around the southwest perimeter of the park.

Why take out the palm garden?

The palm garden is not only an oasis of beauty with picnic tables, it has an educational component, with its informative signage and educational tours given by the South Florida Palm Society, free of charge to any group, as part of their mission statement. They have given 31 educational tours so far.

The Palm Society has donated tens of thousands of dollars worth of palms, materials and labor to improve the palm garden the City had neglected. They’ve planted 123 palms and installed an irrigation system and identification signs.

Several South Florida Palm Society (SFPS) members have said that for the City to even consider removing the palm garden, after all they’ve done, is “insulting”, “despicable” and “a slap in the face”.  

One said it’s a classic example of the old saying, “No good deed goes unpunished.”

This proposal also seriously undermines the City’s credibility for future volunteer efforts or donations for City parks, especially from other plant societies and non profits.

Public opinion

Removing or relocating these facilities goes against the 2,100 park users who signed hard copy petitions to keep the park’s assets in place.

AN ON-LINE PETITION TO PRESERVE THE PARK’S ASSETS GATHERED 978 SIGNATURES.

A 58.82% majority of Morningside survey respondents wanted the loop road left as is.

58.44% preferred leaving the current mix of open green spaces and athletic uses left as is.

83.77% preferred having various botanical societies assist with plants in the park.

Please attend the meeting on Monday, November 29, 2021, at 6 pm at the Morningside Park community building.

The park you save might just be your own.