A special tribute to a dedicated leader
The West End Park in District Four just got a new name, and it means a lot to the people who live nearby. It’s now officially named after the late Commissioner Manolo Reyes, a leader who cared deeply about creating spaces where people could connect and enjoy their neighborhood.
For Esteban Ferreiro, who worked as Reyes’ Chief of Staff for years, the renaming of West End Park is personal.
“It means the world,” Ferreiro said. “Manolo always wanted families to have places where they could relax, let their kids play, and just be together.”
Commissioner Reyes’ dedication
West End Park had always held a special place for Reyes. He lived nearby, and during his youth he used to play softball there. One time, he even broke his ankle while playing the game.
“He loved this park,” Ferreiro said. “He spent every Mother’s Day and Father’s Day here with the seniors. He would host domino tournaments, hand out roses to mothers, and share stories of his childhood with the people around. For him, the park was like his own backyard.”
Reyes always wanted parks to be more than just recreation. He wanted the people in the neighborhood to come together. That’s why he worked so hard to improve them.
What the Manolo Reyes Park offers now
The newly named Manolo Reyes Park is all set to be inaugurated with a set of key features, including:
- A year-round heated pool and splash pad (for kids under 10)
- Basketball, tennis, and pickleball courts
- A playground and shaded areas where seniors can gather or play dominoes
- Miami’s first Pee Wee turf field, made with ADA access in mind
- A multipurpose artificial turf field for soccer and lacrosse
- A 0.75-mile walking path with fitness stations
- Dog-friendly areas with water bowls and 13 clean-up stations
“It’s truly for everyone: kids, seniors, even dogs,” Ferreiro said. “We wanted it to feel like home.”
For nearby Fairlawn Elementary, the West End Park doubles as a school field. “Kids growing up here will pass through the park every day, see his name, and maybe ask who he was and why this place matters,” Ferreiro said.
Legacy
Commissioner Reyes also worked on repaving roads, traffic calming projects, beautifying roundabouts, and organizing clean-up efforts with city departments.
“He was all about the little things that make a neighborhood feel taken care of,” Ferreiro said. “He wanted people to see their tax dollars at work.”
Even though Reyes might’ve brushed off the praise, Ferreiro believes the renaming is well-deserved, and everyone who has served under him would agree.
“Honestly, he’d probably say we were wasting time honoring him,” Ferreiro said. “But he deserves it. He taught us that being a public servant means really caring and not just doing the job, but doing it with heart.”
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