From Brickell to Dadeland, Eulois Cleckley, CEO of Friends of the Underline, is ready to build community, boost small businesses, and reimagine urban life
Miami is in the middle of building something totally unique: a 10-mile linear park, urban trail, running beneath the Metrorail, from Brickell to Dadeland. It’s called The Underline, and while it’s still a work in progress, it’s already making waves.
This one-of-a-kind project will eventually cover 120 acres, going through 14 neighborhoods, linking 20,000 businesses, and connecting over 110,000 households, all via walking tracks, biking strips, and public transit. But even now, with just 2.5 miles open and more sections on the way, it’s clear The Underline is going to shape a new future for how Miami lives, moves, and connects.
Eulois Cleckley, the newly appointed CEO of Friends of The Underline, is passionate about both the mission and the momentum.
“There are over 2,000 transit agencies in the U.S., but there’s only one Underline, It’s not just about getting from A to B. We want to connect people, neighborhoods, and opportunities.” - Eulois Cleckley CEO of Friends of The Underline
Eulois Cleckley’s vision for The Underline: Built by the people, for the people
From day one, The Underline has been deeply community-driven. The design, programs, and culture all portray input from residents across the city.
To keep the project inclusive, the team launched Community Connections, a program that invites people from neighborhoods such as Little Havana to experience The Underline, meet local vendors, and engage with the space. The organization also trains Community Ambassadors, who help share updates and make sure all voices are heard.
“We want this to feel like everyone’s park because it’s being built for everybody, and that means listening closely and being intentional about inclusion.” - Eulois Cleckley CEO of Friends of The Underline
What’s there now, and what’s coming
Though The Underline isn’t finished yet, its first phase (from Brickell to Vizcaya) has already become a popular destination. And with new sections underway, the vision is steadily taking shape.
Here’s what’s already open, and what’s in the works:
Open now:
- Urban gyms, basketball courts, and a popular dog park in Coral Gables
- The Hammock Playground in Brickell (the only one in the area) hosts regular Family Days
- Public art installations, including “Azul” by Dominican artist Bonnie Ramirez
- Easy access via nearby Metrorail stations, walkways, and bike lanes
Coming soon:
- A 150,000 sq. ft. food market and event space near Coconut Grove
- An 80,000 sq. ft. Play Forest in South Miami, behind City Hall and the library, featuring nature play, reading nooks, and musical instruments
- A total of 24 art installations along the trail
- Dozens more amenity areas, green spaces, and family-friendly zones
By fall 2025, about 5 miles of the trail will be open. The full 10-mile corridor is expected to be completed by fall 2026.
Boosting local business and community
One of The Underline’s major goals is to support small businesses, and it’s already doing just that. Even during construction, over 300 local businesses have been involved in events and activations.
Programs like Community Connections bring in vendors from across the county, while permanent food stands at places like the Hammock Playground give entrepreneurs a chance to build their brand.
The project also makes space for businesses that aren’t physically near the trail. Cleckley says the goal is to use The Underline as a platform for growth, especially for immigrant- and minority-owned startups.
Making Miami more walkable
The Underline is part park, part trail, part ecosystem. While it’s helping people move away from car travel, it’s also being designed with climate in mind.
As a 10-mile bioswale, it captures and filters stormwater, which helps prevent flooding and protects the aquifer. It’s planted with 500,000+ native trees and plants, and includes microforests that reduce heat and improve shade, something much-needed in Miami’s rising temps.
And with good lighting, safe paths, and free access 24/7, the trail is already helping more people walk, bike, or connect to transit. In fact, data shows a 2.6% increase in Metrorail ridership along the open stretch. Long-term, that’s expected to grow significantly, with 9 million users annually once the full trail is complete.
Building a cultural hub
Art is a big part of the vision. From murals and sculptures to artist-designed benches, The Underline is shaping up to be a true cultural corridor, especially for neighborhoods like Little Havana and Coconut Grove.
The team is developing a public art master plan and regularly puts out calls for artists, with a strong focus on local and Latinx creatives.
“Our goal is for the trail to reflect the richness of the communities it passes through so it should feel like home.” - Eulois Cleckley CEO of Friends of The Underline
A project, and a movement
Cleckley sees The Underline as a chance for Miami to lead by example, nationally and even globally, on how to create sustainable, inclusive cities.
When finished, it will stand as a model for connecting mobility, housing, public health, economic development, and climate action in one forward-thinking space.
But even now, while it’s still under construction, it’s already bringing neighbors together, creating opportunity, and sparking ideas for what’s possible in other parts of the county.
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